Finally I got my test ride of Pulsar 220 on 26th DEC. I was under the impression that its gonna be just another Pulsar - all its gonna have is bigger engine and few improvements. Fuel Injection was one thing that I think was making this bike different, but one test ride is what was required to change my mind. 220 CC , 20 BHP and with a promising top speed of 135 KMPH, Pulsar DTSFi is ready to take on any bike (ZMA viz Karizma can do a top speed of 125 KMPH and P180 DTSi UG2 - 117KMPH).

The bike has got many improvements over the current Pulsar:

1. Fuel Injected: This means that the fuel is forced into the piston with force and precision, increasing power and mileage of the vehicle.
2. Longer: The 220 is 1530 mm which makes it longer and more stable, but then is not good for sharp turns.
3. Oil Cooled: Speeding/touring and finding your bike hotting up, worry no more. The 220 is oil cooled which makes sure the engine is cooler and so performing better.
4. Thicker tires: 120-80-17 in comparison to 100-90-17 of the UG2 (180)
5. Shockers: The frontal teliscopic inverted shocks are thicker and better same is the case with rear gas shockers. In addition the handle bar too has shock absorbing support[clip-on handlebars + damping support] :)
6. Seat: Yes! all those who scream about the butt pain from Pulsar will find the seat better. This specially goes for people in BikeNomads.

Great bike I would say!!!!
Priced: Rs 83,595/-

View Pictures


Apart from this here are the detailed information of Pulsar DTSFi: (External Source - Mail)

* Rear Disc Brake
* clip-on handlebars with damping support.
* Better sporty riding position/posture
* Twin head lights with white light
* LCD Speedo like the new P180
* Self diagnostic check system.
* Day-night mode for the speedo console. In day mode, the indicating lights are brighter for clear visibility in ambient sunlight. In night mode, these lights reduce their brightness to prevent glare
* Fairing mounted collapsable rear view mirrors
* Two Piece grab rail (for pillion)
* Twin rear lights (like 180)
* Stylish anti-scratch tank pad to prevent damage to petrol tank paintwork due to zippers
* Forced lubrication for the transmission
* Beefed up tranmission to handle high power and torque output
* Engine equipped with counterbalancer for controlling vibration from large dia piston
* Engine equipped with oil level inspection window
* Improved fin geometry for better heat dissipation
* DTS-Fi system is optimised for razor sharp response to throttle inputs


* New high strength chassis designed to handle high engine outputs and making possible precise handling traits with arrow-like straightline stability
* Large 260 mm front disc for precise and progressive braking
* finished clear lens blinkers to complement the clear lens tail lamp
* DC Ignition and lighting ensures quicker engine startups and constant illumination
* Low maintenance battery to reduce frequent top-up needs
* A red malfunction indicator lamp in the speedo gives the error codes in order to identify any malfunctioning fuel injection components
* Sculpted looking top clamp with pinch bolts for greater rigidity
* New gear shifting mechanism for a positive shift feel [really works]
* New low friction shift drum for a smoother shift feel [really works]
* New large capacity clutch incorporating anti-judder mechanism for superior clutch performance in all conditions
* Highest power to weight ratio: 133 PS/Tonne
* High flow intake and exhaust ports


* Large bore, light slipper type piston
* Large capacity main bearings for high output handling
* Large capacity output shaft bearing to handle high loads
* Equipped with a roll-over sensor to cut off fuel supply in case of a vehicle fall
* Brake and shift lever pivots incorporated on the footpeg mounting to give a clean, uncluttered look
* Nitrox rear shocks optimised (spring and damper ratings) for all riding conditions
* High output 200 watt, 3-phase magneto
* All stainless steel exhaust with a sporty aluminium clad canister
* ExhuasTEC

Engine Type
Single Cylinder Air Cooled, 4 Stroke Sohc
Valve Train: 2 Valve
Displacement: 220cc
Bore & Stroke: NA
Comp. Ratio: NA
Starting: Electric Start only
Ignition/fuelling :Fuel injection (DTS-Fi)

Performance
Max. Power: 20 bhp (no rpm claim)
Max. Torque: 1.95 kgm (no rpm claim)
Top speed: 135 kph
Fuel economy: 50 kpl in 'sane riding'

Transmission
Gear Box: 5 Speed Constant Mesh
Clutch: New. Superior to Pulsar 180/150

Electricals
Battery: MF typre, 12V 9Ah
Head Light: Ellipsoidal projector 55W/parabolic 55W H7
Tail Light:
High intensity LEDs

Chassis
Type Double cradle (new frame)

Suspension
Front: 37 mm Telescopic Hydraulic Type 130 mm travel
Rear: Ellipitical section Swing Arm With twin Hydraulic
Gas-charged Shock Absorbers; 101 mm travel

Brakes
Front: 260mm Disc Type
Rear: 230mm Disc Type

Tyres
Front: 90/90-17 tubeless
Rear:120/80-17 tubeless First two wheeler in India to employ tubeless tyres for superior performance and safety


Watch video from NDTV on YouTube.

Gp1 Vs Vega.

Ask any biker today - which is the best helmet and you would hear one common answer - GPOne. Its for the real bikers, its good, its stylis, its ...... and all blah blah blah....But the question is it really that safe?
I happen to talk to a renowned doctor(orthopedic) back in Chandigarh when I bought my GPOne some 3 years back. When I first time showed it to him, he was like wow but later when he held it in his hand he immediately said - its too heavy. I said so what, at least it will protect my head. His immediate question was "What about you neck?". This question made me wonder about the helmet. According to him a good helmet like Vega or Studs is good enough to save you in case of almost any accident. Because the shell is certified, but with such a heavy helmet - if your neck muscles are not strong one is in danger of putting his/her at far worse risk. And i know that skull is far stronger than neck.
So the question is that if you are involved in such a bad crash that GPOne takes care of your head, then will your neck survive in such a crash? Well I don't know myself but according to him-a light Vega is better. And I agree with an expert rather than Non-medic bikers. Also the fact - the GPOne made here in India and the ones exported are two different things. According to the people in the company - the helmets sent abroad have better inner casing and better visor.
I am no expert but i tend to believe one. The doctor I talked with was no ordinary doctor but a very renowned one. So I am trusting Vega for now.

Trip to Alibagh

Two weekend offs (2nd-3rd Dec) and what to do? That was the question in my mind and there was one place i could think of - Alibagh. A small town on the western ghats on the Indian sub-continent. Some 130 Kms from pune - Alibag is a popular getaway for people of Mumbai, Pune and places around. Though this is not the best season to go - but i just wanted to go on a ride.

The other reason was to try my camera, photography has been on the back of my mind for a while and it was the perfect to take some good snaps. What I wanted to try was some snaps just out of the blue – not too much posing, but I would be lying by saying that I didn’t do that – but most of them like the one on the right were capturing the moment at the perfect time. Not a bad start na?

Click to view pictures of the trip
Please comment on my post and let me know what better to do to make it interesting.

Halo 2 On PC and Halo3 on Xbox.....

Halo! Its a story of human civilisation in the distant future, where Earth is united under one goverment but now faces a united alien army. In the story one human space ship tries to lure the covenant away from earth and ends up getting crashed on a foreigner ring - Halo. There begins the journey of our hero - the last of the surviving Spartan super soldiers. You lead the ground forces surviving on the ring to fight the aliens man to man. The game overwhelms its players with great details, action and better than real movie experience.

Halo 2 starts off after the journey of Halo ends. But Microsoft made a big marketing move, it launched Halo 2 only on XBox, Microsofts gaming console and as predicted the console sale hit the record.

Just to let you know how good this game is, here is some data:
Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT)'s Halo 3 racked up $170 million in sales on its first day of availability, making it the hottest-selling title in video game history.

What does this signify? This actually tells that Halo3 sale beat the record opening of Spiderman 3 which was released world wide in different languages. This means thats its actually doing more business than a movie can.


And some more good news: - Halo2 will now be available on PC - with windows vista desktop as the operating system and Halo3 on XBox... That means if you wanna play Halo - you gotta buy Windows Vista and to play Halo3 - you would eventually have to buy XBox 360.........
Amazed!!! Yesss this game is so good that Microsoft is actually using it to market its products. To check it out try the link.


Watch Video Trailers:
1. Halo Wars (Google Video)
2. Halo 3 (Google Video)
3. Halo 3 Cool!!(Google Video)

Take on iPod....
Are you one of those who think that there is nothing like iPod or one of the other are just hate its poularity? Which ever you are there is something better that's gonna replace iPod......

What is it - its Nokia.
No its not coming with a Music player, but smart phones with high memory capacity. With the phones like the new N91 with 8GB HardDisk - one can store more than 6,000 songs on it. And what's the best part-no more scrolling - just type in the name and listen to the song. For all those iPod users with big list - this is an awesome feature. Add to that its a phone - so you don't need to carry it two things. Some of the advantages of these gadgets against iPod.

1. You can search songs by typing there name.
2. You can listen to them through the headphone as well as the phone speakers which are of good quality. Very handful for people like me who don't like using headphone too much.
3. You can talk too :D - after all its a cell phone.
4 Browse net etc.

Not fasinated by this??? - Then get this. There are rumors that Nokia is coming up with a new series mobile with 20GB hardDisk. Add to that - these mobile phones are not that bulky too.
I don't know about you - but I am waiting for the new N97(thats what the rumors say is coming up)

Life:
What is life? Its a god's gift to you to change this the world the way you want to - how big or small is upto you.
Just take some time out and think what is your life worth?
Its precious - use it well.

Men:
Men Are Just Happier People. (Few good lines from a mail-not mine, but i like em :) )

What do you expect from such simple creatures?

Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be President. You can never be pregnant.

You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.

The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.

You know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.

Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.

Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your big hips.
One wallet and one pair of shoes; One color for all seasons.

You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. ! You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

You don't freak out when you go to a party and see another man wearing the same shirt, instead you become buddies.