The new Pulsar 180 DTSi

Bajaj has finally launched the reworked 180 DTSi .... that was unveiled at the Auto Expo in March. Quite a few changes .... according to BSMotoring.com, "The new head lamp is flanked by very obvious narrow-eye pilot lamps. And the pilots are separated from the big one by matte-ish black plastic, which gives it the effect of Walker’s mask. The headlamp is in a fairing that is mounted lower than the older one, making the bike look lower and sleeker. Tank aside, all the panels are brand new. The SV1000-ish tail piece looks very sleek and has twin vertical LED tail lamps. The new side panel has a new vent and more angular lines."

"Apart from the panels and the name, the 180 also gets DTS-Fi goodies. This includes the LCD speedo/analog tacho dash. You get an accurate, easy to read digital speedo, overrev/low fuel light, bright idiot lights, two trips and a digital fuel gauge. It also gets clear, self-cancelling indicators. Plus there are contact-less backlit switches and in a Pulsar first, an engine kill switch as well."

But, the best part is, "All this goodness comes wrapped in the old price tag, which means the new 180 is going to be excellent value for your money." .... you gotta hand it to Bajaj, these guys constantly out-do themselves. Just when you thought that the others were catching up, they go & raise the game so high, that the others will go back to playing catch up once again. To see an Indian company taking on all those with their fancy Jap collaborations & beating them at it, is fantastic!

But let's not count Hero Honda & Honda out of it as yet, just saw the teasers for the new CBZ on TV today. HH deciding to resurrect the brand that gave birth to the segment that the Pulsar now owns can only be a good thing, although I wish HH had been a bit more pro active in this regard. I mean, just look at their launches over the last 2 years .... Super Splendor, Glamour & the Achiever .... the names are as asinine as the appeal in the products. As for Honda .... well, the maker of the Rune & the CBR is still content with selling the Activa, Unicorn & Shine in India .... c'mon guys, a fundoo new 150/250 would do wonders for the company here.

But, for the moment, it's Hamara Bajaj that's top of the pops .... & with the DTS-Fi launching at Diwali, things can only get better.