Bajaj Pulsar 200RS

 Bajaj had earlier opened sales of the motorcycle announcing a price of Rs 1.18 lakh ex-showroom Delhi. As you know the motorcycle is based on the Bajaj Pulsar 200NS but is formatted to look like a supersport motorcycle. Here’s what you need to know.

What’s changed

The frame is the same as the Pulsar 200NS but it wears a bunch of metal stays needed to mount the fairing now. In the process of this and the plastics of the complex looking fairing itself, the weight has gone up by a substantial 12kg, 6kg of this comes from the mounts and plastics alone while 2.5kg comes from the ABS unit and bigger magneto for the twin projector lamps. You don’t feel it but the engine most certainly has to work harder to produce performance. The new bodywork et al also move the centre of gravity a smidgen forward which Bajaj says gives a more secure feel at the front. Other changes? Well, the swingarm is about 5mm longer.

On the engine front, this is a fuel injected motorcycle and that’s about it. There is some sprocketing work and the overall gearing is a little shorter as well

On the engine front, this is a fuel injected motorcycle and that’s about it. The rear sprocket gets two additional teeth and the overall gearing is a little shorter as well. Bajaj further says that because of the fairing, a lot of work has been done on ensuring serviceability and many check and replacement intervals are now farther apart.

What’s the performance like?

The engine is able to use the gearing to push the bike to a higher top speed and we saw 151kmph on the clocks

I think the RS200 feels a little more linear in power delivery terms than the 200NS but that aside it isn’t very different. The engine develops 1PS more and is able to use the gearing to push the bike to a higher top speed and I saw 151kmph on the clocks (assume 10-15 per cent speed error on this) before having to turn into the super fast last corner of Bajaj’s test track at Chakan. Bajaj have altered the engine head to accommodate the Fi and bigger throttle bodies now. Speaking of fuel injection, the unit is the same one which is made by Bosch and is also in use in the KTM 200 Duke. However, for the RS200, it gets a new software and different state of tune.

How is it in corners?

Turn is quick enough – but not very quick – and the motorcycle feels sporty without really feeling too sharp for new riders

It’s very responsive and confident though bumps at really high speeds need you to have the confidence to stay on the throttle. Turn is quick enough – but not very quick – and the motorcycle feels sporty without really feeling too sharp for new riders. Bajaj has, in the past shown an ability to manage the ride and handling balance rather well and the RS200′s capabilities are no surprise.

Single-channel ABS, eh?

It’s a cost saving measure to be sure but the ABS version of the RS200 only works on the front wheel

Yeah. It’s a cost saving measure to be sure but the ABS version of the Pulsar RS200 only works on the front wheel. This isn’t a problem because most of a motorcycle’s braking does happen at the front wheel. That said, I do feel that Bajaj should have gone the whole hog and ABS’d the rear wheel as well. I guess better that some people are able to afford this safety device than not, right?

Overall

The clocks are one of the most comprehensive this side of the Duke 200

The Bajaj Pulsar RS200 packs no surprises. It is based on a competent platform and Bajaj has carefully chosen not to break a working formula. I do have issues with how busy the motorcycle’s styling is but in the same breath, I’ll admit that in the flesh it doesn’t look quite so out there either. Finish levels look acceptable and overall, the motorcycle is pretty easy to decide to purchase. The Pulsar RS200 without ABS is Rs 23,000-odd more expensive than the NS, which is a reasonable jump considering the plastics and the fuel injection system. ABS adds another Rs 12,000 to the bag and if I were buying an RS (actually any motorcycle at all), I would certainly pay the difference and get the ABS-equipped motorcycle.

Bajaj Pulsar RS200, ex-Delhi
Without ABS: Rs 1.18 lakh
With ABS: Rs 1.30 lakh