What will Bajaj Pulsar RS400 do to the Indian sportbike market?

In fact it might hurt the market in the long run. In fact, if Bajaj undercuts everyone on price, then other manufacturers will be compelled to cut corners in order to compete, thus creating a race to the bottom in terms of quality.

RS400 could be a great innovation in the segment. It’s a success, and it’ll push the rest of the manufacturers to up their game, whether that’s on the bikes or with better value. It has always been good for consumers.

It will be interesting to see how this affects the used bike market. An aggressively priced RS400 could depress the prices of used sportbikes, or could help attract buyers from other brands.

It is not just the bike itself but what it stands for. The RS400 may well prompt more Indian manufacturers to take on the big international brands in the sportbike segment. This could be the beginning of an Indian motorcycle era.

I'm skeptical about its impact. Commuter bikes are also associated with the Pulsar brand. More than one model will be needed to change that perception and actually shake up the sportbike market.

This could have the real impact on rider training and safety. Sportbike performance should be made available to all riders, and if the RS400 allows it we need to make sure new riders can take up the challenge responsibly.