For over a decade, the Bajaj Pulsar has maintained an undisputed top spot in its segment. Buoyed by regular updates of the product – be it through new variants, design or technologies – Bajaj Auto saw brand Pulsar growing from strength to strength. While Pulsar’s raw and muscular design language drew consumers to its showrooms, it was its performance-for-money quotient that guaranteed success. It’s hard to think of any motorcycle in the last decade or so, which did better than the Pulsar in terms of power delivered for the money. Yet there were some glitches, which although improved, did manage to stay with the Pulsar family for its entire life span. These included a not-so-smooth gearbox, knee recess on the tank, which was of no use, and a few other minor niggles. These however, never took away anything from the Pulsar, when it came to end-consumer appeal.
However, a decade is a long time and the changes made to the series in the last five years or so weren’t really differentiating. Time called for an entirely new Pulsar, which would not only offer another groundbreaking design but advanced technology as well. A tough task it was for Bajaj Auto to redo or better its original effort. The answer came in the form of the Pulsar 200 NS, and we rode it extensively to find out if it lives up to the legacy left behind by its predecessor.