Bajaj Pulsar NS200

The Pulsar 200NS is the motorcycle which rewrote what 200cc segment motorcycles should look like. Initial inspiration for the 200NS’s design seemed to have been taken from the smallest Pulsar, the Pulsar 135LS. But with the latest facelift, the Pulsar 200NS bears a sporty look, with all the new decals and the matte paint finishes.

The big, largely opaque ‘200’ decal on the tank shroud adds detail and character to the motorcycle. The Pulsar 200NS is not exactly a sharp motorcycle, but instead, has muscular curves at all the right places. The small cowl, positioned under the engine makes for an interesting little detail and is the only part in the design of the motorcycle which promotes sharpness.

The Bajaj Pulsar 200NS is powered by a 199.5cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine with a maximum power output of 23.17bhp at 9,500rpm and a peak torque output of 18.3Nm at 8,000rpm. The rear wheel is chain-driven via a 6-speed gearbox.

The motorcycle is capable of accelerating from 0-100kmph in 9.83 seconds and will go on to touch a top speed of just over 136kmph. One impression that can be taken away from riding the Pulsar 200NS is that, the engine is rev-happy, because it remains butter smooth throughout the rev-range. Acceleration too, as the figures point out, is brisk, and a sense of urgency can be felt.

Though the engine is roughly based on that of the KTM Duke 200, the power delivery is more linear and smooth instead of the mad dash to the rev-limiter felt on the KTM.

The triple-spark technology helps here, as it has increased combustion efficiency and better ride-ability at low revs has also contributed to efficiency. The Pulsar 200NS returns 30kmpl while being ridden around town, and 40kmpl when out on the highway. An average mileage of 35kmpl is respectable, given that it uses a high-compression 200cc engine.

The Pulsar 200NS was the motorcycle which kick-started the affordable 200cc motorcycling segment in India. Hence, it is the value-for-money factor that is the most important feature of this motorcycle.

It also features best-in-class braking, with a 280mm disc up front and a 230mm disc at the rear. The best feature though has to be Bajaj’s patented triple-spark technology, which debuted on the 200NS.

The Bajaj Pulsar 200NS started a revolution of sorts, and brought low-capacity high-performance motorcycling to the masses, at an affordable price. The popularity of the motorcycle is evident in the fact that Bajaj had to stop production of the 200NS for a brief period so that its other models, the Pulsar RS200 and AS200.

But Bajaj had to bring the NS200 back, as demand did not di down even months after production was stopped. In its current avatar, the NS200 looks better than ever, and sales of the motorcycle doesn’t seem seem to slow down despite arrival of fresh competition.