In the world of 200cc naked motorcycles, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 and the KTM Duke 200 stand out with their exceptional performance and are favorites among the youth for their exciting power and trendy designs. Let's compare these two bikes:
Design
The Bajaj Pulsar NS200 has a robust, muscular appearance, reminiscent of a boxer, while the KTM Duke 200 boasts a sharper, more athletic look, similar to a sprinter. The Pulsar NS200's design has remained largely unchanged since its debut. Still, it has received minor updates such as an inverted fork, a new LED headlight, and a fully digital console with smartphone connectivity. It is available in three colors: Brooklyn Black, Pearl Metallic White, and Racing Red. On the other hand, the Duke 200, benefiting from design updates from its larger siblings, the Duke 250 and 390, now sports LED headlights from the Duke 250, giving it a sportier and more aggressive look. It is available in two colors: Electronic Orange and Dark Silver Metallic.
Engine
Both bikes offer similar power and torque outputs, leading the 200cc segment with impressive performance. The Pulsar NS200 is powered by a 199.5cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine, derived from the Duke 200, producing 24.5PS and 18.74Nm, paired with a six-speed gearbox. It has a 13.4-litre fuel tank and delivers a real-world tested mileage of around 40kmpl. The Duke 200 features a 199.5cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that churns out 25PS and 19.3Nm, coupled with a six-speed gearbox. It offers a mileage of around 34kmpl and has a 12-litre fuel tank capacity.
Underpinnings
The Pulsar NS200 is built on a perimeter frame and comes with an inverted fork and a preload-adjustable mono-shock at the rear. It has a 300mm front disc and a 230mm rear disc, with dual-channel ABS as standard. The bike has 17-inch wheels, 100-section front, and 130-section rear tyres, weighs 158kg, and has a ground clearance of 168mm. The Duke 200, on the other hand, is built on a split-trellis frame and features a 43mm diameter inverted fork and a 10-step preload adjustable WP Apex mono-shock. It has a 300mm radially mounted front disc and a 230mm rear disc with dual-channel ABS. It weighs 159kg and has 17-inch alloy wheels with a front tire that is 110 sections and a rear tire that is 150 sections. The seat height is 822mm, and it has 155mm of ground clearance.
Instrumentation & Features
The Pulsar NS200 boasts an all-LED lighting setup, including an updated headlight with DRLs, indicators, and taillight. It also features a fully digital LCD instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, call and SMS alerts, and additional information like distance-to-empty, real-time mileage indicator, and gear position indicator. The Duke 200 is equipped with an all-LED lighting setup, including recently updated headlights. It has a fully digital instrument cluster displaying speed, an odometer, a tachometer, a trip meter, a fuel gauge, and a digital clock. It also features a Supermoto mode allowing the rider to switch off the rear ABS for sliding the bike.
Verdict
While the performance and stylish appearance of both bikes are comparable, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 has more features than the KTM Duke 200. The Pulsar NS200 offers better value for money at Rs 1.57 lakh, whereas the Duke 200 is priced higher at Rs 1.96 lakh (both prices ex-showroom).