Verdict
Our day with the RS200 came to an end all too quickly, such was the fun we had with it. It is still not a thoroughbred track machine, and Bajaj makes no pretensions about it being one either. But it is still commendable how close this Pulsar has come to challenging the high-strung track focused motorcycles we have today.
What the RS200 is, is an immensely fun street bike with the potential to accomplish just about everything you can throw at it. It is fast, comfortable, decently frugal, and loaded with gizmos to the brim. You can take it touring, or you can use it as your daily commuter to office. Even the looks will grow on you with time.
There already has been, and will be, a lot of comparisons of the RS200 with the KTM RC200, seeing as how they are derived from the same platform. But, in execution, these two couldn’t be more different. The KTM is a high-strung performance machine that demands only the most dedicated of fast riders. Its extreme riding posture, high-revving nature, and focused design ensures that it welcomes only those who are willing to sacrifice a modicum of real-world practicality for the sheer thrill and riding pleasure it offers. The same can be said, admittedly to a smaller degree, of other fully-faired machines in its price range like the Yamaha YZF-R15 and the Honda CBR150R.
By contrast, the Pulsar RS200 comes across as a fully faired motorcycle, but with little of the characteristics that are part and parcel of track focused machines. Its riding position isn’t as extreme, its engine, although high-revving, is relatively stress-free, and it is as comfortable doing the college run as gunning down cars on the twisties. Both in pricing as well as marketing, Bajaj is positioning as the friendlier, more approachable alternative to the KTM.
Bajaj is selling the Pulsar RS200 in two versions, non-ABS and ABS. The former costs Rs 1.18 lakh, while the latter will set you back by Rs 1.30 lakh, both ex-showroom, Delhi. There are two colour options on offer, yellow and black, and red and black. Both the models come with the black and red stickering that you see in these pictures.
The Pulsar name comes with a lot of street cred in the country, and we can see the RS200 taking that forward, and even branching out into a slightly different direction. Versatility is its calling card, and its styling will ensure that it attracts eyeballs wherever you go. That should make it an instant hit with its target base. The evidence is already there: Bajaj revealed to us that they have already garnered 1000 bookings in the first week, and that too only from Tier-I cities in India. When bookings open in Tier II and III cities later this month, we can see the floodgates being opened wide, and the RS selling in droves.
Here are the technical specifications:
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Engine |
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| Type | 199.5cc Liquid Cooled four valve DTS-i Triple Spark Engine with Fuel Injection |
| Maximum Power (PS @ RPM) | 24.5 @ 9750 |
| Maximum Torque (Nm @ RPM) | 18.6 @ 8000 |
| Claimed Top Speed | 141 km/h |
|
Dimensions |
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| Length (mm) | 1999 |
| Width (mm) | 765 |
| Height (mm) | 1114 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 157 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1355 |
| Kerb Weight (kg) | 165 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13 litre |
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Tyres and Brakes |
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| Front Tyre | 100/80-17 52 P Tubeless |
| Rear Tyre | 130/70-17 62 P Tubeless |
| Front Brake | 300mm disc brake with Single channel ABS |
| Rear Brake | 230mm disc brake |
| Price: Standard/ABS (Ex-showroom Maharashtra) | Rs 118,500/Rs 130,268 |
Image Gallery
Best one by Bajaj… Finally a new and fresh look to the pulsar series…
Thank you for your feedback, Vivek. We don’t believe in unnecessary criticism just for the sake of it; if you are criticizing a product you have to have the facts to back it up. You must have missed the part where we gave it negative points on design and styling. Other than that, the RS 200 is a pretty great step-up for Bajaj, so we stand by our words.