Pulsar 180 vs KariZMA
From BikeNomads
Author : Kedar
Well like i have mentioned before, ZMA is more fun to ride on open ways & on higher gears, in lower gear its sluggish when compared to the 180 which is really good for street racing but since am not got at that so no use :p. No but seriously the power in both bike is pretty close with scoring on top speed.
Where the ZMA makes the big diference is the handling part seriously its much better than the Pulsar's. Its like if someone challenges me for a high speed twisties run, with Pulsar I would be like 'I think I can do it' with ZMA 'lets do it' :))
& yes the snob factor is way too high for ZMA that too for a yellow one which is also the biggest grouse as I rarely find my bike in neutral when i come back to the parking :((
I'll now comapre them on same yards as Vibhu has
Pulsar 180 DTSi, November 2003 Model.
Kms done : ~27000
ZMA, May 2005 Model
Kms done : 3500
Feel
The bike are miles apart in feel factor, Pulsar has more raw power which seems raring to go, while ZMA is quite Boring(yeah it is at lower revs). At higher revs though Pulsar become a bit violent while ZMA keeps her calm which is good. On risk of sounding cliched 'Pulsar is pulsating while ZMA is Karizmatic :D'
Cornering
Well both can take corners very efficiently but what separates them by miles is the effort rquired to take the corners. Its very easy to throw the zma on corners. Pulsar need some efforts to take the same corner
Braking
Pulsar wins hands down BUT there is one more difference, the brakes on ZMA are like the barkes with ABS they may not stop the bike as fast as pulsar's but they rarely get the front wheel locked which is quite easy in pulsars.
Also one important aspect is that on a pulsar, after applying front brakes, the bike dives forward which doesnt happen with ZMA(may be coz their's no weight on the steering column).
Performance
Like I said before both bikes have similar performance, pulsar is better at lower revs & ZMA at higher revs. Also like Vibhu mentioned ZMA revs miraculosly faster, I mean you can red line her very easily.
Top Speeds achieved
P180: 125
ZMA: 137
both are speedo indicated
Handling
Again the ZMA scores here while it is easy to cut through heavy traffic in pulsar thanks to its shorter wheel base & better power at lower revs. ZMA also fares well with a lighter steering(no headlight & speedo console on steering) & wider torque distribution
Mileage
Pulsar wins hands down again. On my kind of riding i used to get mileage between 37-42. On the ZMA (i dont notice in fear :p) i get sumewhere aroudn 29-32. So thats quite a difference.
Night Riding
Now this is intresteing both bikes have good lights. where they differ is the area of application, i mean pulsar light has focus on road so its good for locating potholes etc but on highway you dont get that long beam to light up the roads
ZMA's lights are really good on highways & completly dark roads as it has good spread, but on decently lit road i sometime wondre whether my headlights are on or not(btw i have found that my beam goes slightly upwards so that could be the reason)
Plastic Quality
People will find it weird but ZMA has better plastic quality, I have managed to drop both bikes :( & the fairing of zma is stronger than it appears. The only sad part about Pulsar fairing is that evena small fall put scratches which can be easily noticed on the fairing.
Looks
Do I have to say :p The biggest let down on the 180 was the fact that it looked liked 'just another P150 with broad tyre & shorter handle' :(
ZMA gets you reall good attention especially if its yellow :D
Touring
Like Vibhu said ZMA is better :) though i have been only to Mumbai but taht was enough to comment :)
Conclusion
Again Pretty much like Vibhu said but here P180 is more of city sports bike with raw power to smoke all on streets(almost all :p) ZMA is composed bigger sister as the bigger cc shows its muscle on highways. Its more calm composed & ready to eat kms after kms without you noticing.