Design and Style
In terms of exterior design, the Pulsar aims to break new ground, and to a significant degree it is successful, although it takes a number of cues from Bajaj’s Pulsar 135 model. The bike is a naked body type, and it is intended to combine slick styling with new-generation technology – the ‘NS’ is an acronym for ‘Naked Sports’. The bike’s chassis is stronger and more lightweight, hoping to boost the bike’s speed and power in keeping with its ‘sporty’ profile.
The bike features an entirely revamped layout for the exhaust, now positioned beneath the engine – inspired by the 200 Duke. The new design also extends to the rest of the body: the fuel tank, side scoops and alloy wheels have a stronger yet sleeker look. The entire front of the bike is sharper, fiercer and more aggressive. Overall, it’s a very busy, eye-catching design, with lots of severe angles, planes and cuts – many will wish for a simpler, more classic design.
Instrument Cluster
Bajaj Pulsar 200NS features all-new digital-analogue instrument cluster. It features digital speedometer, digital fuel gauge, digital trip meter and analogue tachometer. The huge round tachometer dominates the instrument cluster, is placed in centre and is flanked by a digital screen on right side and other tell-tales LEDs on the left side. The tachometer also incorporates a small vertical screen which displays the fuel gauge.
Engine and Gearbox
Bajaj Pulsar 200NS is powered by a liquid-cooled 200cc engine which develops maximum power of 23.17 bhp at 9500 rpm with maximum torque of 18.3 nm at 8000 rpm. Company claimed mileage of Pulsar 200NS is 58 kmpl under standard driving conditions and claimed top speed is 136 kmph. The engine is mated to six-speed manual transmission.
Suspension and Brakes
The front suspension is 37mm telescopic front fork with anti-friction bush and the rear suspension is nitrox mono shock absorber with piggy back gas canister. As far as brakes are concerned, it comes equipped with 280mm front petal disc brake with floating calliper and 230mm rear petal disc brake with floating calliper.
Acceleration and Top Speed
The Pulsar 200NS, according to Bajaj, is capable of a top speed of 136 kmph, which puts it exactly equal with the Duke 200. The bike can accelerate from 0 to 60 km/kmph in 3.61 seconds and 0 to 100 km/kmph in just 9.83 seconds. It’s certainly a speedy and responsive bike, and the numbers are impressive – most drivers will be happy with the rate of acceleration and its stability.
Mileage
The addition of three spark plugs at the top of the engine helps to boost fuel economy at low and mid-range revs. The fuel consumption for the Pulsar projected by the manufacturer positions it in the middle to low bracket within its class. On city roads, riders can get a fuel mileage of 30 kmpll. On highways, you can expect up to 40 kmpl, giving a combined mileage of 35 kmpl, which is a respectable return but drivers who want plenty of mileage for their money may want to look elsewhere. The fuel tank has a capacity of 12 litres.
Comfort While Driving
Wider shape means that it feels bulkier and more muscular. Its thicker handlebar grips have an enhanced texture and reinforce the feel of control, despite it being a large bike. Riding the bike is simple and enjoyable: the overall seating position is predominantly upright, ideal for moving through city traffic, and the seat has been positioned higher in conjunction with a shortened wheelbase, lending it greater agility. The seat is solid but can feel a little too firm – you’ll start to notice it on long journeys.
Suspension
At the front of the Pulsar 200NS, there is 37mm telescopic front fork suspension with anti-friction bush. At the rear, the bike features nitrox mono-shock absorber suspension with a piggyback gas canister. The suspension shows its worth on rough surfaces – when you hit a bad patch, the bike manages to mop up most of the shocks and retain a smooth ride.
Brakes
The bike’s brakes are decent and solid. At the front Pulsar 200NS is equipped with 280mm disc brakes, and at the rear 230mm disc brakes. The bike’s braking distance from 60 to 0 kmph is 16.33 metres. The brakes perform well: a soft initial bite is driver-friendly, but the power comes into force with a harder squeeze, and when used the rear disc allows a significant degree of travel, making it easy to modulate its pressure.