The poll conducted on the site to find out if visitors would go for the Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi, knowing the problems owners are facing. The results look very positive, and in favor of Bajaj...
For 72 polling participants, the results are as below... Yes, sure! 44 (61%) Maybe.. 13 (18%) No way! 15 (20%)
An update on the high speed issues.. After the high speed disappointments from my P220, I got an appointment with Mr.Venkat Shyam at his Auto-Service, Bangalore.
At the service center the BIG BOSS instructed his crew to do the following, and even did some tests himself:
1] Check if disk brakes stuck. The disks were cooled to ambient temperature by wiping them with a wet cloth. Their temperature was measured. Then a 2Km test ride with pillion, and normal traffic was conducted. The temperature was measured post this ride. The results were shocking!!
-The front disk heated up to under acceptable levels (luke warm to touch).
-The rear disk brake was burning hot... an astounding 140'C !! (could not even touch it)
-Conclusion: The rear disk still sticks !! 2] Next the bike was tested on the roller bench. Acceleration (0-60Kmph) and top speeds were measured, and best figures were considered.
3] Next the rear disk brake was removed, and tests conducted again.
4] Next the rear disk pads were cleaned, the chain was adjusted and a re test was done.
The end results in brief: The acceleration came to 3.1 sec from 3.7 sec. The top speed marginally improved hence not worth mentioning. But top speed on roller once reached 142Kmph.
Some other issues noticed during all these roller tests were.. -The rpm warning indicator lights up at 9000 rpm as designed. -The fuel pump / malfunction indicator lights up after exceeding 9500K rpm. (On my last on road speed trials, it even lit at 8200rpm, max throttle). It stays lit up even if the rpm reduces. As I have noticed this earlier, there is no other way then to reboot the bike to reset this indicator. I was told later that this lamp lights is responsible for the EMS (engine management system). So I guess its a function of rpm/throttle and other factors. -There is an engine kill feature which starts governing the rpm near the end of rpm-red line. not sure when this happens, as it happened only once when we really exceeded the rpm (perhaps beyond 11K).
+Now some really good news... After leaving your service center, I went for a speed test run near office. Electronics City - Bannergattha road.
One way, I clocked 120Kmph in a crouching position. It was windy and the bike had a lot of resistance. The rpm this time was between 8500 and 9000. Not sure how much, as the faring and both my helmet were vibrating due to all the wind turbulence.
The other way (return), I clocked 130Kmph in a crouching position. Perhaps the wind helped, or rather it was not creating so much turbulence this time. The rpm this time was approx 9200. Even then I had a lot of throttle left. When I stopped crouching, the speed marginally dropped to 128Kmph. But the P220 just ploughed through at that speed till the end of the road.
On this return run, I felt as if I was doing it just as if it were on the roller bench, and not on real roads... it was way stable!
So here is my learning..To attain the magic number of 130+ .. ( one will need not only a good straight road ) but more.. -There should be minimum cross winds or at least less enough to cause unnecessary turbulence. -Once sufficient rpm was build up, and there is not much change in terrain conditions, the bike will more or less maintain the high speed -I need a tight fitting helmet which will not vibrate so as to maintain proper vision. -The rear brakes need some major technological overlook, as that's the only changed factor in the bike since my last high speed ride.
So thanks to the BOSS!! Mr.Venkat you made my day..
