Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS Review
Bike tested: 2012 Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 99,200/-
It was almost 11 years ago, when Bajaj Auto launched the first Pulsar, which changed the face of the Indian motorcycle industry. In the past decade, there have been many versions and facelifts of the Pulsar which kept the bike going strongly to a sales of 50 lakh units. The Bajaj Pulsar has become one of the most recognisable brands in India, with enthusiasts swearing by their bikes. There have been upgrades time and again but the recent one is the most significant. Yes, the Pulsar 200 NS, which is the second generation of the Pulsar, is on the Indian roads. We ride it to find out, if it is indeed a giant leap or not!
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Styling – The Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS is an extremely well styled motorcycle with the right use of muscle and edginess making it a head turner wherever you go. The sharply designed headlight, (which is Benelli inspired), the tank shrouds shooting forward, the sleekly crafted rear fenders, the front muscular mudguard (with a unique color pattern), the aluminum number plate holder, the split grab rails (borrowed from family’s younger sibling, the Pulsar 135) are the stand out points of the Pulsar 200 NS’ styling. The traditional Pulsar twin ‘dagger type’ LED tail light is mounted a bit differently than other Pulsars and makes the rear a bit quirky to our taste.
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The split mudguard, the not so fat looking rubber, an ugly looking saree guard is something we didn’t like. Standard red colored monoshock used with every color is a disappointment. The rear mudguard has been restyled and has a ‘Pulsar’ monogram on it. The hidden exhaust is something that the current Pulsar owners won’t take pleasantly and skipping on the engine belly fairing is also a bad idea. A very Pulsar-ish fact to the styling is that, it does not have any sort of stickers or graphics on it, just 4-valve and 200 NS badges on both sides. The red color which is used on the 200 NS, is not that good as the old Pulsar, which has a fantastic cocktail red. Paint job is good, deep and loads of glitter, a Bajaj forte over the time, which never fails to impress.
Head over to the next page to read about the console and ergonomics of the Pulsar 200 NS.
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Instrument Cluster and Switch Gear – The Pulsar 200 NS has a unique digital speedometer when compared to the older Pulsars or any other bike in India. The tachometer is in the middle, digital speed read out is on the right side, left side consist of basic read outs such as turn indicator, side stand indicator, high beam, and a Bajaj Logo with chrome garnish on top of it that glows permanently, day or night, DRL Style. The two buttons, trip, adjust and the red line warning indicator on the instrument cluster have chrome garnishing. The speedometer now shows service due with a spanner symbol and time too. Switch gear quality is up to the mark and it is the same as the old Pulsars but the back light now is blue instead of the traditional white.
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The symbols are slightly different on the Pulsar 200 NS. The turn indicator is quite different to operate. Whether you push it left or right, if you want to switch it off you need to push the centre button to cancel it. Despite the space and availability, we found that the auto-cancelling feature was absent. Engine kill buttons kill the engine as well as the entire instrument cluster. We would have preferred the old way where it only kills the engine. Horn is puny, courtesy, the dry battery which will be a disappointment for the majority customers who always had high hopes when it comes to a loud horn from the Bajaj Pulsar. None of the wires are left loose, all wires are tied up by things which you get in supermarkets to tie your shopping bags.
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Ergonomics – The riding position is spot on, upright with wide handle bar giving a good vision all around. The rider’s seat is long and wide than any other bike I have seen before, extremely comfortable for almost anybody of any size. The tank cover, with which the metal tank beneath is covered, is also well scooped so that your inner thighs get space to breathe. Aluminum foot pegs which are used for lightness are well placed for the rider, which are now spring loaded (a Pulsar first). The pillion seat is also comfortably crafted which will have a long range before he or she complains of fatigue. Grab rails are at the back which now are not just for show, but for use as well. Foot Pegs which are mounted to the chassis are also on the comfortable side for the pillion. Clutch is light, but not feather light as the Japanese bikes. Main-stand is omitted from production model, which is sore point when you encounter a puncture. Racing stand is the need of the day. Rear view mirror’s are adequate, and provide good vision of what is behind.
Head over to the next page to read about the performance of the Pulsar 200 NS.
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Performance and Gearbox – Press the self start and the 200cc, 4-valve, 3-spark plug engine comes to life in a smooth and reviving nature, unlike old Pulsars, which makes one feel as if the entire bike has started rather than just the engine. Let the engine idle because it will idle in cold or rainy mornings unlike other carburetted bikes. This will idle as much as you want without the manual throttle input. Thanks to the technologically advanced ignition system, the Pulsar 200 NS has something which almost resembles the fuel injection system in terms of power delivery and behavior.
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With a power to weight ratio of 162 PS per ton, the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS will hit 60 km/h in 3.61 seconds and 100 km/h in 9.83 seconds.
Depress the clutch and push the gear lever and you will notice that there is no typical Bajaj Pulsar thud after engaging the first gear because the gearbox and crankshaft come from the KTM Duke 200, so revving up the engine up to 11,000 RPM in first gear is insanely quick and before you say anything you are in fourth gear doing almost 125 km/h. This is because the first three gears of the Pulsar 200 NS are short and other three gears are relatively tall to aid top-end power and better fuel efficiency. There is some vibration which does filter through the handle bar at red line. When it comes to mid range, all the high-tech measures to remove lag from this carburetor has paid off, at any revs, any gear there is no delay between ask and get.
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Despite the extra 10 kgs and a reduction of 1.5 BHP and 0.7 NM of torque from the KTM Duke 200, the 200 NS is on par with the Duke when it comes to acceleration up to 120-125 km/h after which the Duke will take the lead to its limited top speed of 138 km/h while the Pulsar 200 NS shows 145 km/h on the speedometer (speedo error this). The engine does not feel strained, nor does it sound extremely loud uptil 100 km/h and cruising at these speeds on the highway in top gear is easy. Moreover, when you decide to pull the remaining throttle on an empty stretch, you will hit 135 km/h without crouching. You will feel that the bike is massively stable for a naked bike. When pottering around in town, there is enough grunt up to 5000 RPM so you can zip away without revving high.
Head over to the next page to read about the dynamics of the Pulsar 200 NS.
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Ride, Handling and Braking – This Pulsar is not cursed with a wobbly double cradle frame with double sided suspension setup. Instead, it is blessed with a pressed steel perimeter frame and a piggy back gas charged monoshock at the rear, which makes the bike 200 percent times more sure-footed around the corners than the previous generation. The 50-50 weight distribution and mass centralization achieved with the monoshock and underbelly exhaust has dramatically positive effects on handling.
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This frame is stiff and has the capability to handle the power, which the engine produces very fast and in a very dramatic manner. The wheelbase provides stability but before that, the hard tyres give up the grip. The front forks are sorted out perfectly for agility and stability around corners. Don’t expect Yamaha YZF-R15 like feedback since the R15 has a dedicated riding position while the Pulsar 200 NS has a more upright position. However, it does corner fast and hard with great levels of poise and balance. You can move around to get your knee down because of the wide seat.
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Braking is stupendous. The petal discs with floating calipers at the front and rear with Bybre Setup are the best in class. After the R15, the 200 NS has the most powerful brakes. While the Duke 200 has bigger brakes on paper, it lacks the feel that the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS gives because it is a much taller motorcycle. And since this bike is short on length, it helps in reducing braking distances too. And these being petal discs, they reduce unsprung weight and these disc rotors don’t heat up quickly and can go on for hours before fading out. Ride quality is something which is very well executed. The mature suspension setup which is achieved at the front and the back is the best of both worlds, it’s not stiff as the Duke 200 or plush as the Pulsar 220, it’s compliant.
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Miscellaneous – Cost effective measures are taken to make this bike reduce weight. There is no lock for opening side panels. To access the air filter box, the rider seat has bolts instead of the spring loaded action as seen in the older Pulsars, which have to be removed to access the battery. There is hardly any space for keeping anything under the rear seat. It is already pre-occupied with first aid kit, tool kit and the bike documents.
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If the fuel is low, it is shown in the same place where the red-line warning light is. Engine oil, coolant level, disc pad life can be seen without any fuss. Chain tensioner is been adopted, so just lube your motorcycle chain and slackness need not to be adjusted every 1000 kms. Under belly exhaust has been tested in 17 inch of water by Bajaj Auto already. Radiator has already been fitted with a protector against large and harmful objects. Engine protection guard comes as a standard “no accessories” with this bike.
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Please do get your tyres upgraded to the stock specifications but softer compound as soon as possible. The Eurogrips are very hard and wheels lock up very fast with the powerful brakes on wet roads, which will make your drive a lot more safer. Large size people should upgrade to Pulsar 135 rear view mirrors for supreme vision (suit your needs here).
Head over to the next page to read our conclusion on the Pulsar 200 NS.
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Conclusion – The Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS is being offered in a mind-altering package. The looks, engine, performance is very tempting and at this price point, it just makes you to go and grasp your own. Fine, it has a carburetor and 3-spark plugs which doesn’t appeal, but when it comes to offering the maximum amount of fun for the least amount of money, I honestly can’t think of anything that even gets close to the Pulsar 200 NS. After all, it is a proper Pulsar, it is a naked one!
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Whats Cool
* Performance
* Handling
* Brakes
* Value for money
Whats Not So Cool
* Rear styling could be better
* Doesn’t sound sporty
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Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS Specifications
* Engine: 199.5 cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-valve, triple sparks, carburetor
* Power: 23.17 BHP @ 9500 RPM
* Torque: 18.3 Nm @ 8000 RPM
* Transmission: 6-speed manual
* Top Speed: 136 km/h
* 0-100kmph: 9.83 seconds
* Fuel Consumption: 35-40 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Pressed steel Perimeter Frame
* Suspension: Telescopic Front Fork with Anti-friction Bush Dia 37 (Front), Nitrox Mono Shock Absorber with piggy back gas canister (Rear)
* Tyres: 110/80/17 (front), 130/70/17 (rear)
* Brakes: 280 mm Disc (Front), 230 mm Disc (Rear)
Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 2017 mm x 804 mm x 1195 mm
* Wheelbase: 1363 mm
* Seat Height (Rider): 805 mm
* Ground clearance: 167 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 12 liters
* Kerb Weight: 145 kgs