Bajaj Pulsar 200NS Review
All-new 2012 Pulsar 200NS - Naked Sports
Tuesday, September 18, 2012Overview of Bajaj Pulsar 200NS
As promised Bajaj India unveiled all-new 2012 model of Pulsar in January, 2012. It has been christened 'Pulsar 200NS'. It is powered by a liquid-cooled 200cc engine which develops maximum power of 23.17 bhp at 9500 rpm with maximum torque of 18.3 nm at 8000 rpm. But it was expected that Bajaj was about to upgrade the entire Pulsar line-up. The face-lift was much needed because the Pulsar was launched almost a decade ago. Anyways, Pulsar 200NS is new product, it features all-new exhaust layout, which is now below the engine like 200 Duke. The Pulsar 200NS is all-new in terms of styling and technology. It features new design for alloy wheels, instrument cluster, fuel tank and side scoops.
Bajaj Pulsar 200NS Design and Style
In terms of exterior design, the Pulsar aims to break new ground, and to a significant degree it is successful, although it takes a number of cues from Bajaj’s Pulsar 135 model. The bike is a naked body type, and it is intended to combine slick styling with new-generation technology – the ‘NS’ is an acronym for ‘Naked Sport’. The bike’s chassis is stronger and more lightweight, hoping to boost the bike’s speed and power in keeping with its ‘sporty’ profile. The bike features an entirely revamped layout for the exhaust, now positioned beneath the engine – inspired by the 200 Duke. The new design also extends to the rest of the body: the fuel tank, side scoops and alloy wheels have a stronger yet sleeker look. The entire front of the bike is sharper, fiercer and more aggressive. Overall, it’s a very busy, eye-catching design, with lots of severe angles, planes and cuts – many will wish for a simpler, more classic design.
Engine and Gearbox of Bajaj Pulsar 200NS
- Powered by a liquid-cooled 200cc engine
- Maximum power of 23.17 bhp at 9500 rpm
- Maximum torque of 18.3 nm at 8000 rpm
- Three spark and 4-valve technology
- Paper element air filter
- Exhaust TEC enhanced centrally mounted
- Ignitions System: Independent spark control through ECU
Bajaj Pulsar 200NS is powered by a liquid-cooled 200cc engine which develops maximum power of 23.17 bhp at 9500 rpm with maximum torque of 18.3 nm at 8000 rpm. Company claimed mileage of Pulsar 200NS is 58 kmpl under standard driving conditions and claimed top speed is 136 kmph. The engine is mated to six-speed manual transmission.
Suspension and Brakes
- Front suspension - 37mm Telescopic Front Fork with Anti-friction Bush
- Rear suspension - Nitrox Mono Shock Absorber with piggy back gas canister
- 230mm front petal disc brake with floating calliper
- 230mm rear petal disc brake with floating calliper
Instrument Cluster of Bajaj Pulsar 200NS
- Analogue tachometer
- Digital Speedometer, fuel gauge and trip meter
Bajaj Pulsar 200NS features all-new digital-analogue instrument cluster. It features digital speedometer, digital fuel gauge, digital trip meter and analogue tachometer. The huge round tachometer dominates the instrument cluster, is placed in centre and is flanked by a digital screen on right side and other tell-tales LEDs on the left side. The tachometer also incorporates a small vertical screen which displays the fuel gauge.
Price of 2012 New Bajaj Pulsar 200NS
- Rs. 84,000.00 (ex-showroom Pune)
- Rs. 85,000.00 (ex-showroom Delhi)
- Rs. 99,220.00 (On-road Mumbai)
Bajaj Autos has officially announced the price of Pulsar 200NS, it is available for Rs. 84,000.00 (ex-showroom Pune) and Rs. 85,000 (ex-showroom Delhi). The on-road price of Pulsar 200NS in Mumbai is Rs. 99,220.00.
Acceleration and Top Speed
The Pulsar 200NS, according to Bajaj, is capable of a top speed of 136 kmph, which puts it exactly equal with the Duke 200. The bike can accelerate from 0 to 60 km/kmph in 3.6 seconds and 0 to 100 km/kmph in just 9.8 seconds. It’s certainly a speedy and responsive bike, and the numbers are impressive – most drivers will be happy with the rate of acceleration and its stability.
Bajaj Pulsar 200NS Mileage
The addition of three spark plugs at the top of the engine helps to boost fuel economy at low and mid-range revs. The fuel consumption for the Pulsar projected by the manufacturer positions it in the middle to low bracket within its class. On city roads, drivers can expect a fuel mileage of 35 km/l. On highways, you can expect up to 58 km/kmpl, giving a combined (expected) average of 45 km/l, which is a respectable return but drivers who want plenty of mileage for their money may want to look elsewhere. The fuel tank has a capacity of 12 litres.
Comfort While Driving Bajaj Pulsar 200NS
Bajaj Pulsar 200NS’s wider shape means that it feels bulkier and more muscular. Its thicker handlebar grips have an enhanced texture and reinforce the feel of control, despite it being a large bike. Riding the bike is simple and enjoyable: the overall seating position is predominantly upright, ideal for moving through city traffic, and the seat has been positioned higher in conjunction with a shortened wheelbase, lending it greater agility. The seat is solid but can feel a little too firm – you’ll start to notice it on long journeys.
Bajaj Pulsar 200NS Suspension
At the front of the Pulsar 200NS, there is 37mm telescopic front fork suspension with anti-friction bush. At the rear, the bike features nitrox mono-shock absorber suspension with a piggyback gas canister. The suspension shows its worth on rough surfaces – when you hit a bad patch, the bike manages to mop up most of the shocks and retain a smooth ride.
Bajaj Pulsar 200NS Brakes
The bike’s brakes are decent and solid. At the front Pulsar 200NS is equipped with 280mm disc brakes, and at the rear 230mm disc brakes. The bike’s braking distance from 60 to 0 kmph is 16.33 metres. The brakes perform well: a soft initial bite is driver-friendly, but the power comes into force with a harder squeeze, and when used the rear disc allows a significant degree of travel, making it easy to modulate its pressure.
Ride and Handling
The Pulsar 200NS’s engine feels strong and punchy, and when moving through traffic it feels smooth and refined. It’s certainly quieter than any Pulsar model seen before, except when pushed toward the top end of its acceleration – the resulting metallic grind as you approach it is redline is unpleasant. In dense traffic, the Pulsar 200 is a quick, quiet ride that can twist and turn almost effortlessly. Leaning doesn’t feel too demanding, despite the bike’s bulk, thanks to its reduced weight and more spare chassis.
Tyre Size
Pulsar 200NS is equipped with ten-spoke alloy wheels. The front tyre is a 100/80 x 17 inch, 52P, and the rear is a 130/70 x 17 inch, 61P. The bike does suffer considerably in wet condition – its tyres start to feel greasy and unstable, approaching a lack of grip that would be unsettling for any driver.
Shades Available
2012 New Bajaj Pulsar 200NS is available in four shades: Red, Black, Blue and Yellow.
Fast Facts about Bajaj Pulsar 200NS
- All-new design and styling (though it resembles Pulsar 135)
- NS stands for 'Naked Sport'
- New attractive shades/decal/graphics
- New design for alloy wheels
- Exhaust outlet beneath the engine
- New design for the instrument cluster/speedometer/tachometer
- New lighter and stronger chassis, is faster and lighter
- Rectangular box swing-arm, Fat rear tyres
- Yellow coloured mono shock unit at the rear
- 280mm front and 230mm rear disc brake
- New Design for Split-seat
- New headlamp, turn indicators and tail light
- Is available in four shades: Yellow, Black, Blue and Red
Technical Highlights of Bajaj Pulsar 200NS
- Powered by a liquid-cooled 200cc engine
- 32 mm carburettor, 6-speed transmission
- Maximum power of 23.17 bhp at 9500 rpm
- Maximum torque of 18.3 nm at 8000 rpm
- Three spark and 4-valve technology
- Paper element air filter
- 230mm front petal disc brake with floating calliper
- 230mm rear petal disc brake with floating calliper
- Exhaust TEC enhanced centrally mounted
- Kerb weight is 145 kgs and fuel tank capacity is 12 litres
- Front Suspension: 37mm Telescopic Front Fork with Anti-friction Bush
- Rear suspension is Nitrox Mono Shock Absorber with piggy back gas canister
- Ignitions System: Independent spark control through ECU
Performance Figures
- 0-60 in just 3.6 secs and 0-100 in 9.8 secs
- Top speed of Pulsar 200NS is 136 kmph
- Braking distance (60-0) - 16.33 metres
Mileage/Average/Fuel Economy
- Highway (constant 60 kmph) - 58 kmpl
- City (Expected) - 35 kmpl
- Combined (Expected) - 45 kmpl
Reasons to buy and Value for Money
Pulsar 200NS is a high-performance bike with a strong and capable chassis and excellent handling. Traditionally representing affordable performance, the new incarnation of the Pulsar doesn’t disappoint – at just Rs 99,200 (on-road Mumbai), it is one of the best deals on the market.
Verdict
Having claimed a ‘Decade of Dominance’ for itself in the performance motorcycle market for India, Bajaj is seeking to move the race forward with this new bike. The Pulsar in an impressive new offering with plenty of great features.