Flame vs Gladiator

Promised you the Gladiator vs Flame shootout – so here it is…

Put the Flame and Gladiator side-by-side, and it’s difficult not to fancy the Flame - it’s sharp, well-proportioned, and has more road presence than the Yamaha. But, that’s not completely surprising given the latter is now an old design. Yamaha has, of course, tweaked the front fairing, strapped on an engine cowl and garnished the bike with aluminium and aluminium-looking inserts all over to spice things up, but, it still isn’t as alluring as the Flame.
The latter also gets an intelligent lockable cubby hole which is part of the fuel tank and can hold your wallet, gloves, and even a small water bottle. The tank knee recesses are deep and usable for riders of all heights as well. And then there’s the part analog, part digital instrument binnacle which besides looking good, especially at night, also reads out information on time, fuel level, instantaneous fuel consumption and service due among others.
The Gladiator isn’t as elaborate. But to its credit, it boasts of better, more comfortable ergonomics, a tachometer and an engine kill switch.

More importantly, though, the Gladiator gets a better drivetrain. It makes more power and torque. And though the difference isn’t significant, with the same being reflected in the spec sheet, it gets a five speed gearbox, and is more refined than the Flame too. Touch 70kmph and the Flame breaks into a frantic, noisy dance of vibrations, while the Gladiator is calmer, poised and has that fifth gear in reserve to smoothen things out further.

These apart, it is amazing how close these bikes are in every other respect, handling in particular. In the city, both bikes are brilliantly easy to ride feeling light and flickable at slower speeds; the Gladiator more so thanks to its better riding position. Around fast flowing bends it’s a similar story; both the Flame and Gladiator offer just the right chassis and suspension stiffness making corner carving fun and predictable. However, the Yamaha does manage to pull a slight advantage through a lengthy sequence of corners courtesy better brakes and sharper steering geometry.

Overall then, the bikes are pretty evenly matched. But, it’s the Gladiator that feels better to ride, and even though it isn’t styled as well as the Flame and lacks the digital console and the cubby hole, it still gets my vote. And to make the deal sweeter, at Rs 44,380 ex-showroom in Delhi, it’s also a tad cheaper to buy than the Flame.

Specs
TVS Flame Yamaha Gladiator Type SS
Engine
Engine capacity: 125cc 125cc
Max power: 10.5bhp 11bhp
Max torque: 10Nm 10.5Nm
Gearbox: 4-speed 5-speed
Performance
0-60kmph: 6.64s 6.66s
0-80kmph: 12.47s 12.45s
0-100kmph: 30.42s 30.64s
Top speed: 101.7kmph 102.4kmph
Price: Rs 45,990 Rs 44,380

Where are the P150 and P200?

Is it me, or have you noticed it as well; the P150 and the P200 are very conveniently missing in the latest Pulsar advert – Pulsar mania!

Now, with the Discover 150 set for launch this year, there was a thought that the P150 would be axed. And Pulsars would only be focused on performance biking. So you will have the P180, 200, 220 etc catering to the enthusiast while the XCD and Discover brands would look after the commuting segment.

The point of the Pulsars focusing on performance biking is of course true, but while I still ponder about why the P200 is missing from the advert, I have figured something out about the P150.

The P150, chances are would not be killed after all. Here’s what might happen – the P150 would be completely revamped. It will get new styling, sportier ergonomics (like the Apache RTR – rearset footpegs, lowered handlebars etc), and a more powerful four-valve single cylinder engine. Moreover, the bike might also get a monoshock. Now, I am not completely sure about the last bit, but I think it’s possible, especially with Endurance, Bajaj’s suspension supplier already having prepared and submitted a gas charged, continuously variable monoshock to the company.

Pricing, needless to say will go up!

It’s a brilliant move, no doubt. But, my only worry is whether Bajaj will be able to make the bike handle well or not. I am not a fan of the way the current P150 handles – it’s a little soft and flexy. The P180 isn’t anything great either, and the P200, well, being so front heavy, she’s dreadful!

The light at the end of the tunnel though is the P220. The biggest of the Pulsars has the right weight bias, is correctly sprung and the chassis leaves very little to complaint about, given her conservative performance.

My take – I hope Bajaj does a sporty 150, and gives her the customary innovative and exhaustive features list, the customary breathtaking styling, and yes, the customary brilliant adverts!