If styling is the USP for motorcycles, Bajaj knows this too well and the Pulsar does have stunning looks and has been the trendsetter for other bike designs. Having said that, it is also a model that has been around for a while now and since it is so popular, there are several of it on the road and its looks, though gorgeous, are quite familiar and common. The Hunk, on the other hand, is a fresh, new design and grabbed a lot of attention on the road as well. Both bikes sport exquisitely sculpted front bikini fairings, with bright halogen-equipped headlights. When faced with a fused headlight filament, the Bajaj will automatically switch to an alternate one, which scores it a brownie point.
In addition, the Pulsar does have more features than the Hunk, such as an alloy steering clamp as well as an amber-backlit digital instrument console that also packs in an engine redline warning. The Hunk wins back some brownies with superior palm grips. Both bikes have nice levers and effective rear-view mirrors. The Hunk also features sound ergonomics. Both bikes use handsome alloy wheels, and the fit and finish of both are of superior quality.
The Pulsar and Hunk use similar-configuration four-stroke engines, deploying near-vertically arranged single cylinders that use air cooling. The similarities do not end here. Both bikes in this contest use aluminium-alloy for their heads and cylinder construction, and both twin-valve motors breathe via CV carburettors and offer friction reducing bearings between their rocker arms and valve contact surfaces. However, while the Bajaj cylinder sports short-stroke dimensions, the Hunk chooses to remain closer to square.
The Pulsar makes an almost-identical 14.09bhp at 8500rpm on paper to the Hunk’s 14.4bhp at the same engine speed. Engine notes can easily be differentiated, the Pulsar sounding out a characteristic DTS-i whir, while the Hunk is more docile until given the stick, at which point it goads riders to rev harder still. The Hunk feels smoother than the Pulsar. The Bajaj can go as fast as 109kph and the Hunk reaches a top speed of 107kph. Both bikes have one-down, four-up-shifting five-speed transmissions and each box is a joy to shift once you understand their unique nature.
Ride, handling and braking
Both bikes are very different when it comes to these parameters. While Hero Hondas aren’t exactly known for great ride quality, the Hunk will probably change that. On our test ride, the Hunk displayed exemplary cornering manners, a reassuring, planted feel at all times and lightning-quick turn-in that allowed us to leave our apex geometry down to the last possible instant. When compared, the Bajaj feels heavier than and somehow just not as confident as the Hero Honda.
Both bikes achieve their quick stops using a disc in front and drum at the rear. Yet, there is a difference in brake feel, the Pulsar offering sharper bite than the Hunk, which is capable of more progressive stops that are easier to harness. The Pulsar and Hunk use top-class MRF rubber in the same width, but differ with the Bajaj using 17-inch rims instead of 18-inchers, as seen on the latest Hero Honda.
The Bajaj scored higher than the Hero Honda with regard to fuel economy but the difference is a very marginal one. In tough city conditions, the Pulsar delivered 49.6kpl whereas the Hunk delivered 46.9kpl. On the highway, the Pulsar gave 54.4 kilometres to a litre while the Hunk delivered 50.2kpl under the same conditions.
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TECHNICAL DATA
BAJAJ PULSAR 150 DTS-I
Type: Single-cylinder, air-
cooled, four-stroke
No of cylinders: One
Engine displacement:
149.01cc
Maximum power: 14.09bhp at
8500rpm
Maximum torque: 1.3kgm at
6500rpm
Starting: Self-start
Transmissions: 5-speed, 1-
down-4-up
Tyres (f-r): 2.75 x 17- 100/
90 x 17
Fuel tank capacity: 15 litres
Fuel efficiency (overall): 52kpl
Length: 2055mm
Width: 750mm
Height: 1060mm
Wheel base: 1320mm
Ground clearance: 165mm
Vehicle kerb weight: 143kg
Max speed: 109kph
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TECHNICAL DATA
HERO HONDA HUNK
Type: Single-cylinder,
air-cooled, four-stroke
No of cylinders: One
Engine displacement:
149.2cc
Maximum power: 14.4bhp at
8500rpm
Maximum torque: 1.3kgm at
6500rpm
Starting: Self-start
Transmissions: 5-speed,
1-down-4-up
Tyres (f-r): 2.75 x 17- 100/ 90
x 17
Fuel tank capacity:
12.4litres
Fuel efficiency (overall):
48.5kpl
Length: 2080mm
Width: 765mm
Height: 1095mm
Wheel base: 1325mm
Ground clearance: 145mm
Vehicle kerb weight:
143/146kg
Max speed: 107kph
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