| |
Muntaser Mirkar jumps right in
the middle of the Indian fuel injected motorcycle battlefield to
pick the best from the rest.
It's the year 2008. A revolution has lit
up and torn apart all forms of motorable tarmac in the country and
the heat is far from dying down. There's a three way battle raging
among the biking ranks as established, respected and often feared
crusaders of a better biking future are being challenged for the
throne by newer, younger competitors. Technology reigns supreme
and as the weapon of choice shifts to fuel injection, it's time
for the final showdown. Lined up to take a crack at the Bajaj Pulsar
220 DTS-Fi's crown are two able rivals - the TVS Apache RTR-FI 160
and the Yamaha YZF-R15. The tension mounts and there's just one
question that clouds everyone's minds - will the R15's technological
prowess overpower the mighty Pulsar or will TVS be able to stage
an upset and sneak the Apache to the top? Here's how it unfolds…
First Glance
Worshippers of the 'big is better' philosophy
will swear by the Pulsar's proportions, and rightly so. The bike
may be over a year and a half old now but its presence on road is
unmatchable. The quarter fairing that houses the projector beams
may seem a tad oversized even for the big Pulsar, but the more you
look at it, the more you fall in love with its design. The TVS Apache
is at the other end of the spectrum with a rather contemporary design
- simple, yet strikingly beautiful. The fuel-injected version now
gets scoops on the tank to distinguish it from the carbureted version
- a detail that gels well with the existing Apache design. Armed
with a crew of snazzy colours to choose from, the Apache is attractive
as hell, especially with that screaming racing stripe running along
the centre. And then there's the Yamaha YZF-R15. The bike is like
nothing seen on Indian roads yet - inspired by the DNA of the Japanese
firm's 'R' series, designed and developed in Japan, made for India.
The only factor that pulls that dropped jaw back in after you look
at the R15 is the rather skinny rear tyre - technically sound, but
visually imbalanced. The unanimous decision as far as the beauty
pageant is concerned - the Yammie wins it hands-down.
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
The numbers
If their designs aren't indication enough, all three bikes are as different
from each other as can be. The 150kg Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi has an air-cooled
motor that's good for a 0-60km/h time of 4.76 seconds and a top whack
of 127.06km/h. The Apache, with its 160cc, 16.5PS air-cooled engine manages
the 60km/h mark in 5.07 seconds owing to its lower kerb weight but manages
a top speed of only 118.70km/h. The Pulsar's extra cc's make themselves
clearly evident when you consider the timings and even more so when you've
just had your ride on the Apache and switch to the Pulsar to feel the
bike accelerate harder and a lot more cleanly. This advantage though,
is taken away by the Yamaha YZF-R15 owing to its liquid-cooled motor and
comparatively feather-light kerb weight of just 120kg. The four-valve
150cc mill needs to be revved hard, but once in the power band will deliver
like no other, crossing 60km/h in 4.50 seconds and pulling on to almost
caress the 130km/h mark. No questions for guessing which one's the pick
on paper, but do these numbers really translate the same way in real-life
riding experiences? Maybe, maybe not.
Out on the street
The Yamaha R15 comes equipped with a Deltabox frame and some of the best
mechanical bits you can find on a bike the world over to deliver a package
that is miles ahead than any other motorcycle ever conceived for this
country. The resultant dynamic ability of the bike is so entertaining
that you'll find yourself tackling corners like never before, you'll see
lean angles that you never thought you could ever achieve - all that with
the skinny 100/80x17 rear tyre which is in fact the stickiest rubber this
side of a Pirelli. The riding position is aggressive and the rear-set
foot pegs will egg you on to keep pushing harder and faster, all the while
the smile under your helmet growing wider and wider. You'll end up staying
neck and neck, if not beating any other rider when the lights turn green.
You'll undoubtedly be the guy with the fastest lap time in a hoard of
other 150s around a racetrack. Around a racetrack, 'cause that's where
the YZF-R15 truly belongs. This Yamaha is not a commuter (about time too)!
Out on the streets in day-to-day life though, that's not exactly a boon
either. The Apache takes top honours as far as commuting through heavy
traffic is concerned owing to its tight dimensions, light frame and inane
ability to squeeze through the smallest gaps. Its jerky power delivery
though makes it just a tad unpredictable and could catch novice riders
unawares. The Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi is probably the easiest to live
with overall. Extremely rideable in the city and rock solid on the highway,
this bike still makes the most sense if you're the sorts who rides for
the love of riding and not just on the pretense of a commute. The overall
appeal of the bike is still pretty high and its long distance manners
make it a pretty good touring machine as well.
|
