Bajaj Pulsar NS200

The new Pulsar NS 200 may have retained the original design of its previous generation version, but with new dual-tone colours, graphics and new age features, still manages to look fresh and aggressive as ever. The single cylinder, liquid cooled, four valve, triple spark, 199.5cc DTS-i engine offers an upgraded feel and performance over the regular breed of premium 150cc motorcycles, while the suspension setup of hydraulic telescopic forks at the front and a Nitrox gas-charged mono-shock absorber gives it a perfect balance of comfort and agility.

Bajaj is currently offering the Pulsar NS 200 in two different variants. While the non-ABS variant is the more affordable one with a price of Rs 97,715 (Ex-showroom, Delhi), the single-channel ABS variant is priced at Rs 1,09,715 (Ex-showroom, Delhi), almost Rs.12,000 more than the former. The Pulsar NS 200 is being offered with three different dual tone paint schemes, namely Graphite Black, Mirage White and Wild Red.

Compared to its European and Japanese rivals which offer same levels of performance and kit on board, the Pulsar NS 200 is priced very low, which makes it the most value for money product in its class. The closest competitor that gives it a tough fight is the TVS’s flagship motorcycle in the mass market segment, the Apache RTR 200. Like the Pulsar NS 200, the Apache RTR 200 too offers street-fighter styling which is very European, oodles of performance on tap and great ride and handling characteristics, with some added advantages like fuel injection and fully digital instrument console over the Pulsar NS 200.

The Pulsar NS 200 has always been one handsome motorcycle to look at, for the fact that it has a European flair in its overall design. With sharp and busy lines right from the front and going all the way till back, the overall design of the Pulsar NS 200 has aggressiveness written all over it. In this latest iteration, the Pulsar NS 200 retains its original design, with some minute changes here and there, which will be mentioned below.

Starting from the front, the Pulsar NS 200 has got the same petite visor above its pointy headlamp, which has got twin pilot bulbs at the lower edges of it, giving the motorcycle a very distinct face. The front fender too is the same as before, which mimics the busy design of the front fascia.

The elongated fuel tank design with sharp edges and cowls towards its front ends too have been shared with the previous iteration of the motorcycle, save for the fact that they now come with big decals, which shout that it is a proper 200cc motorcycle. The small side body cowls, as well as highly mounted tail section too, are same as before, though now, the tailpiece comes with a shade of grey which is different from the primary colour. Like before, the rear section of the Pulsar NS 200 looks unique with the vertically stacked LED tail lamps, split grab rails and minimalist aluminium fender, with the rear tyre hugger being at the very right place as before.

Even the part digital instrument console along with the clip-on handlebars as well as backlit switchgear have been lifted off from the previous model, though, the backlights for instrument console as well as switchgear are now lit in blue. The console consists of analog tachometer and an LCD screen which displays speedometer, fuel gauge, odometer, trip meters and clock. Though it looks the sportiest in this segment, it is not as more informative as compared to the competition.

Just like the overall design, even the basic engine of the Pulsar NS 200 hasn’t seen much of a change. The four-stroke, single cylinder, liquid cooled, four valve, triple spark, 199.5cc DTS-i engine has already done its duty in the previous iteration of the Pulsar NS 200 as well Pulsar AS 200, and here too, it delivers the same performance numbers as before - 23.5PS of maximum power and 18.3Nm of maximum torque, and is coupled to a six-speed gearbox.

All the Pulsars are known for their raw power and instant power delivery, and so is this flagship naked Pulsar too. The engine has a linear power delivery, with a strong low-end grunt. The six-speed gearbox is slick to use and has short throws, which makes the motorcycle a joy to pull off from stand-still.

The Pulsar NS 200 was the first ever motorcycle to debut a perimeter frame in a budget motorcycle, something which it has retained even in this new generation model. Along with it, even the basic suspension and brakes have been kept intact, with the hydraulic telescopic forks with anti-friction bushes at the front and a gas-charged Nitrox mono-shock at the rear. The overall ride has been set on a stiffer side, in order to make the motorcycle a sharp handler, which reflects in the way it handles, and it handles pretty well.

The Pulsar NS 200 is armed with the best braking setup which a Pulsar has ever seen, with a 280mm disc at the front and a 230mm disc brake at the rear. Thankfully, this time around, the Pulsar NS 200 has got a single channel ABS variant as an option, which comes with a 300mm disc brake at the front. In our opinion, it is surely the ABS variant which one should opt for, for the fact that it has got a bigger front brake and the assurance of ABS at high speed braking.

Bajaj has never failed to incorporate its models with the required amount of safety the Indian roads demand and Pulsar NS 200 is no exception. The bike is made to offer optimum controlling at high speed braking conditions as well owing to the ABS setup that assists the front 300 mm disc brake unit of the bike. The new models of the bike are fitted with Auto Headlamp ON (AHO) feature for increased road visibility all time of the day and a decrease in the chances of road accidents.