Bajaj Riders RSA

21.10.08

On a Friday morning, the mail came through on the group site. Someone asked if there were ever any runs for Bajaj owners. Through the day, the mails flew thick and fast and by nightfall on Sunday we had a meeting point, a route and a whole lot of enthusiasm. My bike was washed by 16:00 on Sunday and by 04:00 on Monday I couldn’t sleep anymore from sheer excitement. I get to Bugatti’s 20 minutes ahead of the scheduled time. Johann is already there – grinning widely and obviously proud of his silver Avenger, glistening in the weak golden sun that’s just poking it’s head over the hill, well, over the Golf Pro Shop, actually. We immediately launched into a lively conversation of what we like about our own and each others’ rides. The Avenger has a pretty mean look to it, and I like the silver engine. On Johann’s bike it compliments the silver of the rest of the bike very well and the engine looks physically bigger, which is the main thing on a cruiser. We agree to swap rides later in the day, as I have not ridden an Avenger and him not a Pulsar. Samuel arrives next on his black Avenger. This is about as mean as a Bajaj can look, and there is a lot of oohh-ing and aahh-ing amongst the assembled crowd. As we sit down to coffee, Marius arrives on his black Pulsar. Anyway, we all use our bikes for much the same thing – commuting to work and back and sometimes for short trips around town. In our group, some travel as little as 4 km per day to work and others as far as 80 km per day in each direction. Three of the Bajaj’s on this ride are approaching 4000 km on the odo and no one reported any significant problems with their bikes thus far. Just as an observation to Bajaj dealers: we spend almost as much on gear as other bikers, so pay attention - you’re not just selling a budget bike to some stingy chap. For most of us, the Bajaj is our second or third vehicle. After Samuel filled up, we headed out of town on the Delmas road. Avengers have fairly small tanks compared to Pulsars – Johann and Samuel reckon about 11 litres in their Avengers (plus 3 litres in reserve). I once put in over 18 litres in my Pulsar! Marius and I both get well over 500 km to the tank on our Pulsars while Johann and Samuel’s Avengers reach just over 300 km. Marius confirms that his Pulsar’s fuel gauge is as inaccurate as mine. It doesn’t move for the first 250 km, then drops to 1⁄2 tank by the time you reach 300km. From there, it drops steadily and predictably over the last 250 km to a total of 550km. We pass an older couple on a bike with a side car coming in the opposite direction on the way and they both give us a friendly wave. I thought: “How nice... maybe the Mrs. would like that....” The route heads north from Bapsfontein and we find opportunity for a quick ‘dice’, settled by the red Pulsar. Despite his assertion that he hardly ever travels beyond 90 km/hour on his Avenger, Samuel is ahead of the group most of the time, and we were generally travelling at 100km/h or more. I guess the speedo is hard to see? Samuel’s Avenger is the new 200cc oil-cooled affair and it seems to run very well. The fuel gauge on this Avenger does take the guesswork out of the fuel situation, but Johann assures us that no gauge is no problem, you just learn a deft trick with the reserve tap, and you’re fine. We stop after almost 45 minutes of riding for a smoke and to swap bikes. First, I need to find the ignition key. It’s at the front left on the frame, almost under the fuel tank. After that is sorted, I head off rather nervously. I was worried that balance would be an issue on a bike as low as the Avenger, but I actually find it rather easy to ride. The mirrors are positioned better than on the Pulsar and I can see what’s going on behind me. The steering is light and it took more concentration to keep it straight than to turn, which was the exact opposite of what I’d anticipated. The Avenger turns nice and light too and is very predictable. After a while, I settle down and start enjoying the bike. A very comfortable ride. I also find that the tank digs into the insides of my knees a little and the brake pedal feels a little ‘squishy’ in comparison with the Pulsar, though it probably just needs adjustment. There is less vibration on the footpegs and seat, maybe because of the difference in seating positions. One sitting right over the engine and the Avenger well behind it, so there is some leverage effect in your favour. As far as the seating position is concerned, I immediately realise how much I lean on my arms on the Pulsar as opposed to the Avenger. I make a mental note to stop doing that and slouch a bit more in the seat. At the second stop, we swapped back. Johann says that he was also nervous on the Pulsar at first, because it feels much more ‘edgy’ than his Avenger. He reckons it’s more responsive and turns more accurately and is the stronger of the two bikes. To me, the Avenger feels stronger than the Pulsar at 100 km/h. We put it down to subtle gearing differences and leave it at that. Marius also notices that the Pulsar and Avenger have the same casing and connecting spots for the oil cooler and wondered what the benefits would be to fit an oil cooler to the Pulsar. We arrived at News Café in good spirits at around 10:30, having ridden well over 100 km. After only meeting that morning, the camaraderie formed was amazing. The next run was discussed and how to improve on the first. The group structure and alternative web page hosting is also considered, and we chat about other group members. Johann explains the intricacies of installing saddle bags to the Avenger. On the Avenger, the saddle bags look very cool and do not add too much to the width of the bike. Everyone benefited by having someone from the importers’ as part of the group. The technical feedback and advice is always appreciated. Thanks Mark! We speculate whether and when the 220cc Pulsar will come to SA and whether it will be worth the money. Finally, we discuss some dream rides and the following concept bike was designed: a two-cylinder, air-cooled engine, using two Bajaj 180cc motors in a 60o-V configuration, like KTM is famous for but with Bajaj’s reliability and simplicity. Put this in a beefy Pulsar and Avenger frame and sub R30,000 range and watch them sell in SA faster than you can make them.... After a hearty greeting, we each go our separate ways. Marius and Samuel back to Johannesburg. I find myself riding faster than usual and with a silly grin on my face. I had a great day making new friends AND riding my favourite motorcycle! What more can a guy ask for? Herman Read more about this group at http://groups.google.co.za/group/bajaj-riders-rsa