Bajaj Pulsar RS200

Detailed Review by Maxabout Team

Overview

The Bajaj Pulsar RS200 is a fully-faired motorbike with a capacity of 200cc. Following the Bajaj-KTM collaboration, it was the second motorcycle to be powered by a liquid-cooled engine. It is appropriately sporty, with aggressive bodywork, but it is also reasonably comfortable to ride. It was Bajaj's most anticipated motorbike because it would usher in the budget fully-faired entry-level performance motorcycles. The Pulsar RS200 appears to have piqued the interest of India's ever-growing young population.

2023 Bajaj Pulsar RS200 Design and Style

The Pulsar RS200 is a handsome motorbike bearing the Bajaj badge. The overall design language is youthful and daring. Some Japanese design inspiration can be seen, but Indian industrial designers have done well. The motorbike is outfitted with a well-designed fairing that wraps around the engine like a super sports motorbike and blends in with the fuel tank. In addition, the front end has twin projector headlamps and LED daytime running lights. The new graphics are straightforward but appealing. The fuel tank design is elegant and muscular, providing the rider with a comfortable riding posture. The split step-up seats are sporty and add to the overall appearance of the motorbike. The Pulsar RS200's tail section features a floating crystal LED tail light that is both unique and fascinating. The stubby race exhaust adds to the motorcycle's sporty appearance.

The Pulsar RS200's side profile is quite menacing. The multi-panel fairing has many sharp and deep creases. The cowl near the engine area is more aerodynamic and does not cover the engine. The perimeter frame is visible, but it blends in nicely with the rest of the bike. The fuel tank is not bulky, nor is it particularly sharp. Bajaj has integrated them well, leaving no gaps between them. The tank's finish is not glossy, but rather a rough imitation carbon fibre finish. The addition of a horizontal cushioned tank pad is the most intriguing feature of this new tank.

Bajaj has taken a new design approach with this new bike, which is visible in the tail section, where they have integrated grab bars onto the tail component. The tail-light cluster design is unusual and difficult to accept for a motorbike. The Pulsar RS200 features a short, well-designed exhaust that complements the overall design of the bike. The Pulsar RS200 will undoubtedly draw a lot of attention on the road. The design is well-targeted, and we wouldn't be surprised if the bike becomes every college kid's dream.

2023 Bajaj Pulsar RS200 Engine and Gearbox

The same 200cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine powers the Pulsar RS200. This one has the same bore and stroke as the others, but it is fuel-injected. At 9,750 rpm, this engine produces 24.5 hp and 18.7 Nm at 8,000 rpm. The engine is much smoother and the throttle response is crisper thanks to the fuel injection. This engine isn't harsh and feels mature, with a high level of refinement.

The overall power delivery is linear and predictable. There is no bottom-end power; even when stalled in first gear, it feels as if it is moving in second gear. The Pulsar RS200 is a lot of fun to ride after 4,000 rpm. This single-cylinder engine is mated to a six-speed transmission with precise shifts. The gearing is different, with the final drive being shorter to compensate for the weight gain. The clutch is lightweight and well-balanced.

The top speed of the Bajaj Pulsar RS200 is 140.8 km/h and it can speed up from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.92 seconds. The weight of the bike has increased by 20kg due to the addition of the fairing and the ABS unit. Despite its weight, the RS200 performs admirably. With a fuel tank capacity of 13 litres, the Pulsar RS200 should be able to travel 400 kilometres or more on a single tank. The Pulsar RS200's overall performance is well-balanced. The company is marketing it as a road bike rather than a track bike, and it will satisfy riders in this category.

2023 Bajaj Pulsar RS200 Suspension, Brakes and Tyres

The Pulsar RS200 is not a true supersport motorbike, but it was designed to give the rider that sensation. The riding position is quite comfortable, thanks to the tall clip-on handlebar, and the footpegs have been moved closer to the rear. This was done for a rider who wants to tour as well as race down a track.

On a track, the bike is very agile and dynamic, and it feels ready for any kind of direction change. Because of the shorter wheelbase and longer swingarm, this is possible. The RS200's handling characteristics are very precise, thanks to its excellent perimeter frame. The front end is providing excellent feedback. The MRF Zapper tyres provide incredible grip and performance, giving you the confidence to attack corners. It has many similarities with its naked siblings.

The Pulsar RS200 was the first motorbike in its class to be equipped with ABS. On the larger 300mm front disc, it gets a single-channel Bosch unit, which means it only works on the front wheel. The front wheel does not lock under panic braking, but the rear wheel does under hard braking. The overall bite is excellent and instils confidence.

Key Features of 2023 Bajaj Pulsar RS200

The Bajaj Pulsar RS200 retains the same instrument cluster as its naked sibling to keep costs down. An analogue tachometer and a digital fuel gauge are located in the centre console. The left side console features neutral and turn indicators, as well as an oil-level and battery indicator. The right console receives a small basic display that includes the speedometer, two trip metres, time, and a side-stand indicator. It has a blue backlight, which makes the cluster look very new and modern. There is also an rpm shifter indicator, which illuminates when you rev to 10,000rpm. A single-channel ABS and an indicator on the centre console are important additions to this bike. The time and trip metre can be adjusted using two buttons.

The switchgear is identical to that found on the Pulsar NS200. The rearview mirrors are mounted on the fairing and offer excellent visibility. The Bajaj Pulsar RS200 has an eye-catching design language. It has dual-projector headlights with twin LED DRLs. It also has LED turn indicators and a tail light. A gear position indicator and a range/distance-to-empty readout would have helped this console compete. The Pulsar RS200's switch cubes are backlit for increased visibility at night.

2023 Bajaj Pulsar RS200 Competitors

Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 competes with GPX Demon GR200R, KTM RC 200, KTM Duke 200, Suzuki Gixxer SF, and Yamaha R15 V3.

GPX Demon GR200R

The Demon GR200R has a very sporty and aggressive appearance. It is powered by a liquid-cooled 198cc single-cylinder, four-stroke SOHC engine. It is powered by an electronic fuel-injection system and is mated to a 6-speed transmission. At 6,500 RPM, the GPX Demon GR200R produces approximately 19 HP of maximum power and 17.2 Nm of peak torque. It has a top speed of nearly 134 km/h and a mileage output of 33 to 35 km/l.

The gold-coloured USD front forks on the GPX Demon GR200R look very premium. The rear suspension is a YSS multi-link mono-shock with a 7-step adjustable preload. It has a 276 mm 2-piston calliper disc brake on the front wheel and a 220 mm 1-piston disc brake on the rear wheel for braking. The GPX Demon GR200R is outfitted with full LED lighting and a digital LCD instrument console. It has an 11-litre fuel tank and a kerb weight of 155 kg.

Suzuki Gixxer SF

Suzuki's most affordable fully-faired motorbike is the Gixxer SF. It was created to meet the growing needs of India's young buyers. The colour options go extremely well with the bike’s sleek design language. The design silhouette is a bit aggressive but it is not that flashy. The highlight of the Gixxer SF is how Suzuki has managed to include a comfortable riding stance on this sporty motorcycle.

Suzuki Gixxer SF gets between 35 and 40 km/l, which is good for a bike of this size. With a fuel tank capacity of 12 litres, the bike can be ridden nonstop for 400+ kilometres. This Suzuki is powered by a 155cc single-cylinder engine with a 5-speed gearbox. This fuel-injected engine produces a max power of 13.4 bhp and a peak torque of 13.8 Nm.

The Gixxer SF is equipped with telescopic forks up front and a mono-shock in the rear. The rear suspension comes with a five-step adjustable damping feature. The bike comes standard with disc brakes on both ends and a single-channel ABS (Anti-lock Braking System). This bike comes with a full LED headlamp and tail unit. A digital instrument cluster, clip-on handlebars, and split seats are included.

KTM RC 200

KTM RC 200 is a 200cc supersport that sits between the entry-level KTM RC 125 and KTM RC 390. KTM gave the RC range of bikes a minor visual update, adding sportiness to the Supersports.

The supersport features LED lighting, and an LCD instrument console similar to the one found on the KTM 250 Adventure. The RC 200 has dual-channel ABS as a safety net.

The 199cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine powers the KTM RC 200. It produces 25.8 PS of max power and a peak torque of 19.5 Nm. The RC 200 has a 40% larger airbox, resulting in a better torque spread. It also has a curved radiator, which is said to provide better cooling.

KTM RC 200 is built around a 43mm WP Apex USD fork and a preload-adjustable mono-shock. A 310mm disc in front and a 220mm disc in the back provide stopping power. KTM RC 200 has a front tyre that is 110/70 - R17 and a rear tyre that is 150/60 - R17.

Conclusion

Bajaj has worked on the Pulsar brand for years and the RS200 is no different. The Pulsar RS 200 has evolved a lot over the years. Bajaj attempts to please a segment of customers who prefer full fairing and performance with the Pulsar RS200. The RS200 is the most visually appealing and well-equipped Pulsar to date. The overall new design language is a welcome move by the company, and some elements will undoubtedly be carried over to other motorcycles. The performance is excellent, and the addition of single-channel ABS is a significant improvement.

The Pulsar RS200 is on the pricey side of Bajaj's lineup, but it's also one of the most fun and appealing. If you're on a tight budget and don't want a bike with an aggressive riding stance, or for any other reason. The Bajaj Pulsar RS200 strikes the right balance between performance and usability.