The Pulsar 200 NS from Bajaj has been one of the most awaited bikes of this year as we had already mentioned long time back and with the launch of it, it surely has taken such a turn. The all new Bajaj Pulsar has taken a large step forward than its current generation Pulsars. We already brought you a live coverage straight from the venue when the bike was launched and also regular updates about it. Recently Autocar India got a chance to grab one of the first samples of the Pulsar 200 NS and give it a go at Bajaj’s own test track facility in Pune. We bring you some key highlights from what they experienced at the track.

1. The Pulsar 200 NS has a good road presence and the front has a slight resemblance of the Honda CB1000R.
2. The Pulsar 200 NS gets a twin spar chassis made of pressed steel and a rectangular section swingarm. This combination makes the handling of the bike very good and really sharp at corners.
3. The engine is of a short stroke design with Bajaj’s ExhausTEC resonance chamber fitted to the silencer. It gives out a healthy torque figure even at low speeds.
4. The engine gets a counter-balancer shaft which makes its operation very smooth. Power and torque band are spread in a very linear fashion over the RPM range.
5. The ECU cuts in at 10,800 RPM which is quite high and is only possible due to the 4 valve technology.
6. The rear tyre could make do with more grip and the Pulsar 200 NS feels very nimble and as easy to ride as the P135.
7. The three spark 200 cc engine is very smooth and responsive. Power and torque spread is linear and you can do 30 km/h and 140 km/h (speedo indicated) in 6th gear.
8. Throttle is very smooth and the P200 is very easy to ride hard and fast thanks to the rectangular swingarm, which offers very good stability.
9. Brakes are very good and the Pulsar 200 NS is a very nice motorcycle to ride.
10. Handling is good but not as good as the KTM Duke 200.

Source – Autocar India

Styling - The Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS is an all new design, all new design for the Pulsar series but not quite an all new design for the world. The front headlight is very resemblant of the Yamaha FZ, while the side is typical of streetfighter machines. The rear is very similar to the Pulsar 135 LS. The overall styling seems to be quite similar to the Honda CB1000R (specially from the front 3/4th angle). This is not a bad thing at all as there are not too many CB1000Rs on the road for people to notice. For those amongst us who are not a big fan of naked bikes, need not worry as Bajaj Auto will be launching a faired version of the Pulsar 200 later.

The alloy wheels are all new 10-spoke units. A welcome change from the boring 5-spoke wheels all the bikes come standard with nowadays.

Instrument Cluster - I don’t know about others, but one of the most important parts of the motorcycle is the instrument cluster. Because this is the only part which can be seen while riding. A well designed instrument cluster is important. The instrument cluster can be divided into three parts, the left side, which houses the lights (indicator, headlight, neutral, etc), the right side which carries the odometer, trip meter and the speedometer and the center which has a large tachometer. The first time I saw the instrument cluster of the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS, I remembered the Honda CB Unicorn Dazzler, which also has a similar layout. The appearance of the Pulsar 200 NS’s exterior and instrument cluster being reminiscent of Honda bikes are purely coincidental.

Engine - The Pulsar 200 NS is powered by a 199.5 cc single cylinder (bore – 72 mm, stroke – 49 mm), SOHC engine. This engine shares quite a few parts with the KTM Duke 200 but has been modified by Bajaj to reduce costs and offer similar levels of performance. The Pulsar 200 NS features a liquid cooled system and 4-valve technology. It is also the first bike in its segment to employ triple spark technology, which is the next step for Bajaj Auto. Bajaj will undoubtedly use this on smaller Pulsars in the future. Ignition system is independent spark control while a UCD 33 carburetor takes care of fueling duties. Bajaj Auto has not opted for fuel injection in the interest of cost reduction and easy service of the Pulsar 200 NS. A paper element air filter helps the Pulsar 200 NS to breathe while a new Exhaust TEC system helps it exhale.

Performance - Bajaj Auto knows what enthusiasts want and seldom does the company disappoint. The Pulsar 200 NS is the most powerful Pulsar till date and produces 23.52 PS of peak power at 9500 RPM and 18.3 Nm of peak torque at 8000 RPM. But what is more important is the power to weight ratio of 162 BHP per ton, which lends the Pulsar 200 NS extremely good acceleration. Bajaj Auto claims a 0 – 60 km/h time of just 3.61 seconds and a 0 – 100 km/h time of 9.83 seconds. The Chakan based automaker has realized power is nothing without control and the new Bajaj Pulsar was not designed with being the fastest Indian in mind. Thus the Pulsar 200 NS has a top speed of 136 km/h, which is still quite fast for a motorcycle in this segment. A new 6-speed manual gearbox debuts on the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS, which is again a first for the Pulsar range.

Handling and Ride - A pressed steel perimeter frame type is used in the Pulsar 200 NS. This helps in rigidity of the motorcycle and offers razor sharp handling. But trust me, even though the Pulsar 200 NS might corner like a rail, it cannot beat the Yamaha R15′s handling prowess which employs a Delta box frame (the R15 is an out and out track machine, weighing just 136 kgs). The exhaust of the P200 NS is centrally mounted under the riders seat helping in optimum weight balance. Talking of weight balance, the Pulsar 200 NS has excellent weight distribution of 72 and 73 kgs. With a wheelbase of 1363 mm, the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS has the right hardware to offer a better ride than the Pulsars.

Brakes and Suspension - The Pulsar 200 NS brakes are made by Bybre (a subsidiary of Brembo). The bike gets bigger 280 mm front disc brake, which is bigger than the Pulsar 220′s 260 mm front disc. The rear disc brake size is the same as the P220 at 230 mm. The Pulsars are notorious for having noisy and squealing rear disc brakes but the next generation Pulsar is expected to resolve this issue. The discs are petal type with floating caliper. The front tyre is 100/80/17 while the rear is 130/70/17 helping in better braking, which is imperative for a bike which can do a ton in sub 10 seconds.

A ground clearance of 167 mm ensures that the Pulsar 200 NS won’t foul any speed breaker. The front suspension is telescopic fork with anti-friction fork dia 37. This is similar to the old Bajaj Pulsar. However the rear suspension is vastly improved Nitrox mono shock absorber with piggy back gas canister compared to the twin hydraulic gas-charged shock absorbers found on the P220. This lends the Pulsar 200 NS a more consistent handling and braking along with better ride quality. Most importantly, mono shock offers the rider with more confidence to push the machine to the maximum.

Dimensions - The Bajaj Pulsar is grown but has it? If we compare the dimensions of the Pulsar 200 NS to the Pulsar 220F, we can see that the next generation Pulsar is wider (804 mm vs 750 mm), taller (1195 mm vs 1140 mm) but slightly lesser in length (2017 mm vs 2035 mm). The reduced length is due to headlight but the P200 NS does not look short unless you see the spec sheet. However the Pulsar 200 NS does look quite tall, which will offer more comfort for tall riders. The P200 NS has lost 5 kgs from the P220 and this could be due to the weight reduction obtained in the exhaust and the use of a smaller tank. The P220′s 15-litre tank is replaced by a 12-litre tank on the P200 NS, which is the smallest we have seen on a Pulsar till date.

Conclusion - Now comes the crucial question, should you buy one? Definitely yes! The next generation Pulsar has everything going for it. Bajaj claims a mileage of 58 km/l at a speed of 55 km/h. Even if we take realistic conditions, we can expect something around 35 km/l from the bike in spirited riding mode. The Pulsar 200 NS might not be as fast as the Honda CBR250R in terms of top speed, nor would it be as sharp as the Yamaha R15 Version 2.0. But at the price (Rajiv Bajaj said less than Rs 1 lakh when it goes on sale in April) which the Pulsar 200 NS will be offered, nothing can come close to offer the thrill at that price the 2012 Pulsar can. Indeed, one leap for Bajaj Auto, is a giant leap for the Indian motorcycle industry.

Disclaimer – The authors opinions are personal based on his own experience and judgement.

The country’s second largest 2 wheeler maker, Bajaj Auto Ltd has announced that it will be bringing in more powerful versions of their Pulsar brand and also of the acquired Austrian bike manufacturer, KTM to give stiff competition to the likes of Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha. The Pulsar and KTM bikes expected in the road ahead will be in the 200 to 700cc segment and will definitely increase Bajaj Auto’s strong foothold in the Indian motorcycling market.

“We share the same development process with KTM, so you can expect there will be ‘a much bigger Pulsar’ next year, because we think the market is at an inflection point (at the premium end) and we are in a good position to take advantage with these two brands,” Rajiv Bajaj, MD, Bajaj Auto, said.

Bajaj Auto Ltd is trying to market its Pulsar range of motorcycles as a cost effective solution for the people who love to have performance yet at an affordable price. The KTM on the other hand is marketed as a more premium segment of motorcycling. Bajaj Auto recently launched the KTM Duke 200 and the latest generation Pulsar, the Pulsar 200 NS in the Indian market. At the launch of the Pulsar 200 NS, Mr. Rajiv Bajaj clearly mentioned that the company will be launching the 350cc version of the Pulsar in 2013. Also, a similar quote was made during the launch of the Duke 200. The Duke 200 was launched by the company at a price of Rs. 1.16 lakhs while the pricing of the Pulsar is yet to be announced. With more and more displacement bikes coming into the motorcycle market in the near future, the Indian motorcycle scenario looks really exciting! Personally speaking, I can’t wait to see these models get launched in the market.

Bajaj Auto unveiled the next generation Pulsar today. The company has only unveiled the 200cc version of the second generation Pulsar, with smaller variants set to come in the later half of th eyear. However this time, there will be an even higher capacity Pulsar. All those who have been waiting for an affordable 350cc bike have reason to rejoice in 2013 as Rajiv Bajaj, MD and CEO of Bajaj Auto has confirmed on the sidelines of the Pulsar 200 NS launch that a Pulsar 350 will arrive in 2013! This Pulsar 350 will have competition from the likes of twin-cylinder 250cc motorcycles, which are soon to be launched in India by Yamaha and Hyosung.

Earlier this month (last week to be precise), when the KTM Duke 200 was launched, the company had revealed its plans to launch a 350cc Duke next year. Now its no rocket science that the Pulsar 200 NS and the Duke 200 share alot of engine parts. Thus, we expect the Duke 350 to arrive before the Pulsar 350 in 2013. Bajaj will use its own technology on the lower half block of the KTM motor to differentiate the Duke and Pulsar. Expect a price below Rs. 1.75 lakhs, with the Pulsar 350 using a twin-cylinder motor, producing close to 33 BHP of power and 25 Nm of torque. The Pulsar 350 might spawn new variants of the Pulsar series, giving Bajaj Auto the gateway to become a bigger motorcycle manufacturer.

Hero Karizma ZMR FI

The bike with the lowest power to weight ratio, the Karizma ZMR can not be ruled out just because it is not that quick. The Karizma ZMR is highly reliable and a comfortable tourer for long distance touring and well suited to tall riders. The engine might not make your heart skip a beat but is extremely smooth and produces torque well down the revv range, making cruising at high speeds a breeze. The styling might not be to everyones liking and the unavailability of spares are something which are not very pleasing.

Yamaha YZF-R15 Version 2.0

What is a 150cc doing in between these 200cc + bikes. Well, the Yamaha R15 is a very potent machine and although it is int anywhere as quick in acceleration or top speed as the Pulsar 200 NS is expected to be, the R15′s USP is the way it lays down its 17 PS of power. The killer looks can’t be matched, while the handling is the sharpest of any motorcycle sold in India (below 600cc). The brakes, engine refinement, quality all negate the relatively higher price of the R15 Version 2.0. However, the aggressive riding position and almost un-usable pillion seat makes the R15 not a very practical machine.

Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS

The most awaited bike since quite some time now, the next generation Pulsar is finally here. Powered by a 200cc, 4-valve engine with triple spark plugs, the Pulsar 200 NS looks very strong on paper. The next generation Pulsar has a smaller tank too (smallest ever for a Pulsar), which goes to show that losing weight was a priority. The power to weight ratio is the highest, while the cost per BHP (as per our estimated price) is the lowest, giving bang for the buck, something which the Pulsars are known for. The streetfigher looks, power output and value for money are the evident positives of the next generation Pulsar. The lack of fuel injection, no full fairing and projectors are the obvious drawbacks to most.

Pulsar 200 NS vs Yamaha R15 V2.0 vs Karizma ZMR – Quick Comparo

Our Choice - At this moment, without even riding the Pulsar 200 NS, it is very difficult to chose one but the next generation Pulsar 200 NS does look promising. If Bajaj has been able to iron out all the issues and improved refinement, then the all new Pulsar will be difficult to beat. Either ways, the Karizma ZMR gives no threat to the Pulsar 200 NS, while the R15 Version 2.0 is almost 20% more expensive than the Pulsar 200 NS. The second generation Pulsar will live up to what the first generation has created – VALUE for consumers and there is very difficult denying that.

Which one would you pick?

Today is a day which will change the motorcycle industry for the next few years. India’s most popular motorcycle, the Bajaj Pulsar is set to go into its next generation and the Chakan based automaker will be unveiling the bike for the first time ever. We are the event and will update you with pictures, details and alot more in real time. Stay tuned.

2:30 - Bajaj has showcased all the versions of the Pulsar, right from the original which was launched in 2001 to the latest version which was launched in 2009. The company is going down memory lane showcasing the previous models and their advertisements.

2:40 - The development of the Pulsar started way back in 1998, with commercial launch taking place only in 2001. The second generation Pulsar being launched today is all new.

2:47 - 4-valve compression technology chamber and triple spark technology to feature in new gen Pulsar. Better fuel economy and performance. One master plug at top and two supplementary at sides. 15% faster combustion. 23.5 BHP compared to old Pulsar 220′s 21 BHP. Next Generation Pulsar is called Pulsar 200 NS.

2:55 - The Pulsar 200 NS is a naked bike, which looks slightly similar to the P135. Liquid cooled, 4-valve, triple spark, carb engine. 23.5 BHP of power at 9500 RPM, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. All new alloy wheels and monoshock suspension.

3:00 - 18.3 Nm of torque at 8000 RPM. Weight of 145 kgs and a fuel tank capacity of 12 liters. 280mm front disc, 230mm rear disc and central exhaust.

3:05 - NS stands for naked sport, full faired can be expected with other smaller versions to come. Competition is Yamaha R15 and KTM Duke 200. Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS price is less than Rs. 1 lakh.

3:10 - The Pulsar 200 NS will be available from April 2012. Bajaj has no plans of phasing out old Pulsars as of now. However they will be phased out eventually.

3:20 - World’s first single-cylinder bike to feature tri-spark technology. 0 – 60 kmph in 3.8 seconds and 0 – 100 kmph in 9.8 seconds. Top speed – 136 kmph. Expected mileage of 58 kmpl at 55 kmph. Ground clearance of 167 mm. 60 – 0 kmph in 16.33 meters.

3:30 - Twin spar perimeter unit frame, 37mm double downtube front suspension, petal discs, 32 mm carburetor, parts shared with KTM Duke 200 including engine components.

The next generation Bajaj Pulsar is all set to be unveiled on the 30th of January 2012. Now Bajaj Auto has put up a teaser on the Pulsar website, which says the mania begins again in 4 days (countdown to the unveil). The next generation Pulsar (referred to as Pulsar 2012) is on the website but is covered and hence the first look will only happen after 4 days (Pulsar fans are finding it difficult to wait). The Bajaj Pulsar has transformed Bajaj Auto and is its flagship bike. The company has also started exports of the model to various countries and has got good response there. Even though the automobile market is seeing a decline, the company sees improvement in sales on the back of new launches, which includes the KTM Duke 200 and the upcoming next generation Pulsars. Meanwhile you can checkout the website here.

“I am confident that the new Pulsar will be the most stunning sports bike in the world. It is also my belief that as much as DTS-i took the market by storm, the new technology in the Pulsar will shake up the market this decade,” Mr. Rajiv Bajaj, MD and CEO, Bajaj Auto, said.

Bajaj Auto has just confirmed the unveiling of the next generation Bajaj Pulsar to be on the 30th of January, 2012. The company will unveil the next generation Pulsar, which has been hotly anticipated for quite some time now. The unveil will happen in Mumbai at 2 PM and we will be covering the event, giving our readers live updates and pictures in real time. Mr. Rajiv Bajaj, MD, Bajaj Auto and Mr. Abraham Joseph, Chief Technology Officer, Bajaj Auto will be present to unveil the next generation Pulsar and to discuss the success and plans for the segment. Are you excited already?

Next Generation Bajaj Pulsar – What To Expect?

• New Styling
• New Engines (125, 150, 200)
• Liquid Cooled Engine
• Under Seat Exhaust
• Lighter Body, Should Weigh Between 130-140 kgs
• All New Chassis
• Gas Charged Mono-Shock Suspension
• New Alloy Wheels
• Better Reliability
• Value For Money

Rendering Source – Throttlers