With the Pulsar CS400 appearing to be production ready, it’s not far away from launch and could be launched in India by the end of this year or early next year.
Bajaj Auto might be an Indian company but its focus is high on export markets. Taking Pulsar fans in India for granted, the company has chosen not to launch its upcoming premium bikes in its home country first, instead showcasing it in other countries including Turkey and Indonesia. The Pulsar 200 SS and new Pulsar 150 was officially unveiled in Turkey in the past few weeks while the 200 NS with fuel injection too made its debut in the same country. Just recently, Bajaj Auto showcased the Pulsar 200 SS, Pulsar 200 AS and Pulsar CS400 in Indonesia, all bikes appearing to be production ready.
While the Pulsar CS400 looks largely like the concept showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo, Bajaj is likely to have tested the motorcycle’s mechanicals, making the bike ready for series production. The launch won’t happen before the end of this year and could be pushed to early 2016. The power-cruiser shares its engine with the Pulsar 400SS which in turn borrows its powertrain from KTM’s RC/Duke 390 motorcycles. The 373.2cc single outputs a maddening 44 PS and 35 Nm in the Austrian machines and the Pulsars are expected to offer around 40 PS and 32 Nm.
Since the launch of the Pulsar 200 NS in 2012, Bajaj Auto hasn’t launched a single new Pulsar in the domestic market. The strategy of the company is baffling and the delay in bringing the full-faired Pulsars isn’t understandable. If Bajaj was still testing the bike, the delay would be well worth it but since the Pulsar 200 SS is ready for sale in Turkey, one wonders why the Chakan based motorcycle maker has ignored the Indian market. Anyways, the loss is theirs since no interesting launches has made them slip to number 4 position in the Indian 2-wheeler market.
Considering Yamaha and Suzuki’s ambitious targets for the Indian 2-wheeler market, it won’t be long when these two Japanese firms start breathing down the nose of Bajaj Auto for market position. Who would have thought that TVS would overtake Bajaj, the latter selling under 1.3 lakh bikes in the domestic market every month.
Picture Source – Pulsar 200 NS Indonesia on facebook