[paliontile]

Finally i bit the bullet! Bought a used Impulse, 2 yr old, 7800kms run, black. Sent it for servicing now. Two things to be done on/for the bike:

1) A front tire mud-guard to prevent splashing on the feet
2) Knuckle guards

[ringoism]

Originally Posted by paliontile

Finally i bit the bullet! Bought a used Impulse, 2 yr old, 7800kms run, black. Sent it for servicing now. Two things to be done on/for the bike:

1) A front tire mud-guard to prevent splashing on the feet
2) Knuckle guards

Would you mind sharing what you paid for it... or what you think a reasonable price would be to pay for such a machine? The dealers here (Mandi, Kullu) are no longer stocking the Impulse, only taking orders; I hear that nationwide they've not been good sellers, which means (I hope) that they should be priced pretty reasonably on the second-hand market. There's only a handful of them around here, and everyone thinks they're underpowered. Hope I might snag one at a reasonable price eventually.

-Eric

[paliontile]

Originally Posted by ringoism

Would you mind sharing what you paid for it... or what you think a reasonable price would be to pay for such a machine? The dealers here (Mandi, Kullu) are no longer stocking the Impulse, only taking orders; I hear that nationwide they've not been good sellers, which means (I hope) that they should be priced pretty reasonably on the second-hand market. There's only a handful of them around here, and everyone thinks they're underpowered. Hope I might snag one at a reasonable price eventually.

-Eric

I got it for 55k. At the local dealerships, a 2yr old unused model was being sold for prices ranging from 65 to 68k

[RishikeshK]

Hi all, I am keen on buying a used Impulse particularly for Leh ride. I own an rx135 but am apprehensive of taking it that far; so looking for a similarly light but capable vehicle.

I am concerned about its future and availability of spares etc in the long run. How has been the experience of Impulse owners so far and what do you suggest? Please guide.

BTW, a Hero dealer here in Pune mentioned that he could get me a brand new Impulse if I pay full cost (around 79k) upfront even after agreeing that it is discontinued! Not sure how much sense would that make. I would be reluctant to pay in full until I see and check the vehicle out.

[RishikeshK]

Please help me regarding this decision guys!

[girimajiananth]

Originally Posted by RishikeshK

Please help me regarding this decision guys!

If it is just for one time leh ride , why don't you rent a bike and be done with it . That way you don't have to worry about maintaining it in future.

[RishikeshK]

Originally Posted by girimajiananth

If it is just for one time leh ride , why don't you rent a bike and be done with it . That way you don't have to worry about maintaining it in future.

Renting is definitely an option, but I am apprehensive about riding an unknown bike with unknown condition over such a harsh terrain. Moreover, I may decide to continue riding around my city in future too.

[Mik]

Originally Posted by RishikeshK

Renting is definitely an option, but I am apprehensive about riding an unknown bike with unknown condition over such a harsh terrain. Moreover, I may decide to continue riding around my city in future too.

Impulse is an amazing option for Leh. Two years back, the guy with Impulse in our group was in a motocross mood over the terrain while we were huffing and puffing along
However, it will need a wire in carb mod in Srinagar/Manali, depending on your route. Without that mod, it simply doesn't have the teeth to make it up the passes.

[girimajiananth]

Originally Posted by RishikeshK

Renting is definitely an option, but I am apprehensive about riding an unknown bike with unknown condition over such a harsh terrain. Moreover, I may decide to continue riding around my city in future too.

Rent it for a day or two extra , you will get to know the bike . There is a place called Indimotard in Bangalore. They maintain their bikes quite well and they rent it. First decide if you will be using the Impulse for your city commute or not .

[ringoism]

Originally Posted by Mik

However, it will need a wire in carb mod in Srinagar/Manali, depending on your route. Without that mod, it simply doesn't have the teeth to make it up the passes.

Have been up to Chandra-Tal (in Spiti) at 14,000ft on a lightly-loaded Unicorn (similar engine output/bike weight) and admittedly it was straining quite a lot and beginning to miss from substantial over-richness. I could wonder whether a stock 150 Honda/Hero could do Kardung-La at all, and even Baralacha/Tanglang might be difficult at points.

But I kind of wish people would stop recommending putting a wire in the carb's main jet (there are just too many risks / variables re: size / cleanliness of wire, whether properly attached, mechanic's whims / carelessness, etc), ESPECIALLY when replacement jets of standard over/under sizes required are so readily available in the metros (even some rural markets) and extremely cheap (no more than Rs10/pc). It would be about a five-minute job for one person (who may then share with the rest on the forum) to check the size of the stock Impulse main jet, which will be clearly stamped on it. Suppose it's a #90 (0.90mm). Go to any good bike spares retailer/wholesaler, and get yourself a #87 and maybe a #85 jet before you travel. In Manali/Srinagar, take five minutes to install the new #87 jet with a flat-blade screwdriver. Easy, foolproof, and guaranteed duplicable next time you travel. Can even DIY along the way as the need arises, if you're so inclined. One step (2-3 whole numbers down) will probably be enough, but if not, you can go another step down later.

Juggad can provide wonderful solutions in tight situations - but utilizing it at times when doing it right is simpler, safer, more predictable and extremely cheap, can only represent carelessness.

I've got a pretty complete set of main/idle jets for my modified KB100/125's, which use the same style ones as Bullets, from #85-116 mains in three-point increments, and have done lots of playing around over the years, optimizing after various mods, as well as for Manali's altitude and on trips to Ladakh, Spiti/Lahaul, Nepal. IMO, a lot of complaints about the performance of a LOT of bikes have ultimately to do with improper jetting (a lot of mechanics unfortunately know nothing at all about tuning, beyond the idle air screw).

Case in point: I got to working on a friend's old ragged Enticer last year. Complaint: low power & missing at anything above half-throttle. Mechanic had said it needed overhauling; he put a new cylinder/piston kit (Rs4500) and delivered it back to the owner running just as badly as it had before. Mechanic now said it needed a new carb (Rs2500). No way, I said. Too much money already, and these guys were obviously incompetent. I borrowed a brand-new carb from another friend's bike and put it on. Still ran poorly, as I'd suspected it would. Put the old carb back and changed out the #90 jet for a #85 (Rs10), and it has been running PERFECT ever since.

Just my 2paise.

-Eric.

[Mik]

Originally Posted by ringoism

ESPECIALLY when replacement jets of standard over/under sizes required are so readily available in the metros (even some rural markets) and extremely cheap (no more than Rs10/pc).

Thanks for the info. Will be pointing out to my Impuls-ive friend about this.

[Sutripta]

Originally Posted by ringoism

But I kind of wish people would stop recommending putting a wire in the carb's main jet (there are just too many risks / variables re: size / cleanliness of wire, whether properly attached, mechanic's whims / carelessness, etc), ESPECIALLY when replacement jets of standard over/under sizes required are so readily available in the metros (even some rural markets) and extremely cheap (no more than Rs10/pc). It would be about a five-minute job for one person (who may then share with the rest on the forum) to check the size of the stock Impulse main jet, which will be clearly stamped on it.
...

Agree totally.

My views, starting from
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ml#post2844049
to
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ml#post2849051

Regards
Sutripta

[theexperthand]

Any news on Impulse with a big heart? I have been lusting after this bike but now that I am in the market for one, I am not able to lay my hands on a bike from showroom :(

If there is any concrete news about an impulse (or a similar bike from any other manufacture) coming in next couple of months, I am ready to wait. Otherwise, I have to start exploring other options soon.

--Anoop

[ringoism]

Originally Posted by theexperthand

Any news on Impulse with a big heart? I have been lusting after this bike but now that I am in the market for one, I am not able to lay my hands on a bike from showroom :(

If there is any concrete news about an impulse (or a similar bike from any other manufacture) coming in next couple of months, I am ready to wait. Otherwise, I have to start exploring other options soon.

--Anoop

Friend of a friend working at Hero HQ confirmed today that no new 150's are being produced, and that anything at the showrooms that's being sold now is strictly from unsold stock warehoused at the factory. According to him, engineers are apparently working on two options, either a 180 (which is presumably a new design?) or more likely the 225cc Karisma unit, for the reintroduction. Everything somewhat under wraps even internally in the organization, and no revelations as to introduction date or price.

The local showrooms here (H.P.) have not been stocking them for some time, and I was actually told by one of them last week that (despite the Impulse website still being up) the model had been discontinued. I suspect the factory is trying to dispose of unsold stock, though - I told another showroom last week I wanted a red one, and two days later, they called saying one had just arrived.

Might finally go for this. Very likely many spares excepting the engine (no issues there; absolutely generic 149cc Honda Unicorn/Hunk/Achiever/CBZ/etc) will be same on whatever new model emerges; So though it's just a little risky, not immensely worried about parts supply issues going forward. Also suspecting that the company might be willing to cut some good deals (below list prices) in order to get rid of what must be thousands of units of stock sitting and (if the gear levers / nuts / bolts I've seen are any indication) probably rusting in the factory warehouse / parking lot. If I really feel after a while that the power is not cutting it (personally I felt the 150 was okay on my few hours' mountain test ride - posted earlier - assuming some willingness to rev it a bit), I can either re-gear up or down (via front drive sprocket tooth count) to get a more usable first or second gear, or else do a big-bore conversion. Even to 170cc might just nudge it to where it ought to be - and might be possible by simply re-boring to the largest available oversize piston, which would also give a little power-enhancing bump in compression ratio. Get a junkyard cylinder to rebore and a new piston, and the parts/labor involved are not likely to run more than a couple thousand rupees. Would mess up your warranty, but anyway... I'm a DIY'r and don't have much inclination to depend on the showroom (an hour away) for after-sales service anyhow.

With VAT they're quoting Rs73,000 by phone. Might see if they'll bring it down a couple thou, all things considered seems reasonable to expect.

Granted, the bike lacks useful things (for touring) like a large fuel capacity, a tank shape lending itself to a tank bag (or more practically, small child), a center stand, an adjustable rear shock, tubeless tires, or more rigid front fork tubes (their extreme flexing in the latest advertisement I saw, as observed in slow-motion, was dismayingly impressive). But somehow, it is still the best Indian bike, suspension-wise, for bad roads that I've had the pleasure of riding, and the on-road handling just felt a lot more natural and confidence-inspiring than just about anything (excepting a Yezdi Road King and my old KB's) than anything else I've tried to date. Add to that the relative smoothness of the 149cc international mill, and it's not a bad package.

-Eric

[theexperthand]

Originally Posted by ringoism

With VAT they're quoting Rs73,000 by phone. Might see if they'll bring it down a couple thou, all things considered seems reasonable to expect.

-Eric

Thank you for the update - so, no point in waiting for the updated Impulse. This seals the coffin for me.

I have read in Team bhp that showrooms are selling Impulse at around 55-60K, but cant able to find the link now.

--Anoop