[payeng]

Originally Posted by praful

Hope they utilise this time to test some more and stabilize this platform more. Bajaj is notorious for doing product improvements post launch. Sometimes too many iterations is not a good thing

I am looking to get one 2 yrs post launch... invariably every brand takes sometime to iron out initial niggles

Should also allow me enough time to save up and pay in cash.. comfortably

[praful]

Originally Posted by payeng

I am looking to get one 2 yrs post launch...

Too far out into the future, the Pulsar line is fast evolving and the VS line may not exist two years down the line. Of course, that won't mean that you won't get service and support, that will continue for sometime definitely. I wouldn't recommend waiting anything more than a year at the most, its at the right point on the product development curve.

[payeng]

Originally Posted by praful

Too far out into the future, the Pulsar line is fast evolving and the VS line may not exist two years down the line. Of course, that won't mean that you won't get service and support, that will continue for sometime definitely. I wouldn't recommend waiting anything more than a year at the most, its at the right point on the product development curve.

OK.. by 2 years one also gets an idea if the product is Hot, Warm or Cold..

if it's Hot.. there is no reason for discontinuation. Right?

[Rohitj92]

I still wonder, why wont people opt for the duke 390 instead of this ?

[apachelongbow]

Originally Posted by aravind.anand

The Classic looks are one of the biggest selling points of the Royal Enfield. No doubt, helped by the movies, retro photos, posters and photos at all cafes. It is more like a lifestyle product.

It would be interesting to see if Bajaj can make the Pulsar CS400 to 'sound' interesting. As that is something very crucial for the cruiser breed. This is one of the key factors that made the Royal Enfield and the Harley Davidson as famous as they are now.

Though Bajaj made the Avenger look like a cruiser, it never felt / sounded like a cruiser. Because of its high revving engine from the sporty Pulsars...
Hope they do something here if they really intendto grab the sales of Royal Enfield

A RE or a Harley sells not because it's best at anything, but because it has a soul or say character. Other bikes need to be tremendously good to sell well. It's like Bollywood and Salman. He doesn't need any talent to sell, he sells because he is. It's not like that for other actors.
It's pointless to compare any bike/cruiser to a RE. Even Kawasaki who has single cylinder retro styled bikes is not getting them to India to compete with the RE.
Ps: As a RE owner I rue it's quality and temperament everyday. But will I sell it for say a Cs? Never. I may buy a modern bike but not let go of the Enfield. This it's its staying power.

[payeng]

Originally Posted by Rohitj92

I still wonder, why wont people opt for the duke 390 instead of this ?

1. Not everyone likes to ride around like a maniac.. a teen high on testosterone

2. Long distance riding

3. Pillion seat

4. Exhaust note

5. Value for money (expected)

6. Most Importantly- A new riding experience


All this with the same 373 cc based engine block

Originally Posted by apachelongbow

A RE or a Harley sells not because it's best at anything, but because it has a soul or say character.

According to me a RE or Harley is mostly preferred as owning one is the easiest was to be MANLY on the road, turn necks, get attention.. some also call it character/personality.

Don't get me wrong, but if the VS manages to have at least a visual impact when placed alongside a RE.. it might be the newest bike to get that so sought after MANLY Character/ Personality..

.. probably the first real competition/option for RE

[apachelongbow]

Originally Posted by payeng

1. Not everyone likes to ride around like a maniac.. a teen high on testosterone



According to me a RE or Harley is mostly preferred as owning one is the easiest was to be MANLY on the road, turn necks, get attention.. some also call it character/personality.

Don't get me wrong, but if the VS manages to have at least a visual impact when placed alongside a RE.. it might be the newest bike to get that so sought after MANLY Character/ Personality..

.. probably the first real competition/option for RE

This thought process is hilarious, considering that one can feel manly/womanly/humanly by buying things/wearing clothes or something material. Anyway let this be. I really think positive on the Cs400, I believe it can be a truly affordable cruiser in times to come.

Ps: the duke can be ridden very nicely at 80kmph with luggage, people do long distance touring on it, not everyone riding a duke is a hormonally high teenager. Please stop being judgemental on people's choices.

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[farhadtarapore]

Only reason I'm not going for the duke is the cramped seats. I don't care about the exhaust note. Seats apart, it's a wonderful bike. Total VFM.

[payeng]

Originally Posted by apachelongbow

This thought process is hilarious, considering that one can feel manly/womanly/humanly by buying things/wearing clothes or something material.

Sad but True?

Originally Posted by apachelongbow

Please stop being judgemental on people's choices.

Chill.. that's just my take. Am entitled to have one (without being personal)

[saargoga]

Originally Posted by apachelongbow

Ps: the duke can be ridden very nicely at 80kmph with luggage, people do long distance touring on it, not everyone riding a duke is a hormonally high teenager. Please stop being judgemental on people's choices.

Probably he is referring to the immature perception of what manly is, in rough sense people associate it with heavy, powerful, bulging noise-making (more noise is also mistaken for manly thus ear shattering aftermarket exhausts) etc. While character/personality is what the machine is, like bullet from my understanding have a character of slow steady and often cited rhythmic two stroke chugging that is extenuated by most bulletiers who like to travel at their own pace as character.

It's personal understanding of-course of what joy bullet offers to them when driven like that makes most of the character trait and that's exactly the kind of thing most folks with lesser patience for mechanical claptrap (as my brother calls bullet) is hated especially by the folks who love performance and dependability.

The choice of bike reflects the customer, KTM is perceived as faster yet it can be used for touring but then I have seen folks in their 50's riding their old boxers and splendors do the same Leh route we did with bullets with much enjoyment.

Back to the topic I think VS/CS is excellent for bulletiers like me who would prefer peace of mind and I for one will certainly exchange my c5 for VS/CS if it is a better build than AS200. VS/CS looks are fine by me I prefer low profile workhorse that's easy on pocket and have sufficient power, KTM is not for me because it has tiny backseat. Mojo is aesthetically ungainly from most angles and its servicing will be doubtful in the long run. Above all I rely on Bajaj's good service and cheaper spares, not to mention a good average for long trips .

[praful]

Originally Posted by farhadtarapore

Only reason I'm not going for the duke is the cramped seats.

From the looks of it the VS400 isn't a huge leap forward in comparison either, in terms of the pillion seat department. I hope I'm wrong though.

[saargoga]

Originally Posted by praful

From the looks of it the VS400 isn't a huge leap forward in comparison either, in terms of the pillion seat department. I hope I'm wrong though.

ATM the difference looks significant. I hope this is the final version as well.

[farhadtarapore]

The pillion seat above, looks much better. Hopefully that rear overhang with the numberplate will also be sturdy and won't flicker wildly like it does on the duke. I love the CBR250's rear in that sense: the rear seat and the tail assembly fall into the same plane, doesn't feel like something extra hanging over the rear wheel.

[praful]

Originally Posted by saargoga

ATM the difference looks significant. I hope this is the final version as well.

While the seat does indeed look bigger in area compared to the Duke's seat, what still needs to be seen is the ergo's. On the Duke the pillion foot pegs are placed so high that the pillion almost sits on their haunches, can be mitigated if you have a really small pillion

[saargoga]

Originally Posted by praful

While the seat does indeed look bigger in area compared to the Duke's seat, what still needs to be seen is the ergo's. On the Duke the pillion foot pegs are placed so high that the pillion almost sits on their haunches, can be mitigated if you have a really small pillion

On this count too I think CS is sitting pretty, with pillion foot pegs sitting ahead and lower.

PS: all images are taken from google search and belong to their original owners.