Back in history when 200 NS launch , It marked new history for Handling department as because almost Every Pulsar before 200 NS was afraid to approach corners like hooligan, Pulsar's heavy front end simply isn't confidence inspiring for weekend twisty blasts or track duties. But when Pulsar 200 NS came in scenario she simply changed lazy perspective regarding Pulsar's handling, The key of success was her preciously divided 50:50 weight distribution and perimeter frame.
Learned from history Bajaj choose to use 200NS as basis model for fully faired RS 200. So what should we expect from RS 200 over its naked sibling 200 NS? Obviously first thing comes in mind about RS 200 is it's fully faired avatar , right! which means RS 200 should have good straight line stability compare to 200 NS which will help in longer highway hauls as well as visor will help rider to tuck behind for aggressive ridings. When we talk about aggressive ridings we think about ourselves or probably about GP riders leaning their body down at front this is possible when clip on's bars are used. Here Bajaj have went wrong , for cost cutting measure's what they have did on RS 200. Instead of designing new clip on bars elements they have used 200 NS's existing handle bars with slight trick! Trick is to inverse the bar holder elements, previously on 200 NS bar holders which connects handle bar's with front forks are design to be rear lean, The same bar holder have used on RS 200, with right bar holder to left and left bar holder to right. for what ? to make rider feel front lean but will it help any better in handling department it's yet to see. We feel they should have lower the handle bar bit actually rather than simply moving forward , It's one of the cost cutting measure but then you don't expect such thing's from flagship pulsar model.
Chassis on RS 200 is same as 200 NS which is good thing , just like with case of Duke 200 and RC 200 but on RC 200 have higher rake and lesser trail compare to Duke 200 for aggressive ridings. It's yet to see if Bajaj have altered rake and trail of their twin spar frame to calibrate RS 200's dynamics cause that's gonna play very important role in bike's character add to that RS 200 having same swing arm as 200 NS which we feel giving slight lazy complete lean to lean transitions. So what we're trying to say is, If Pulsar RS 200 coming with same rake and trail angle as 200 NS (very evident from spyshots) as well as same swing arm, then RS 200 is going to be even more lazy in it's reflexes at corner and twisty turns than 200 NS, which isn't sounds good right ? Add to that RS 200 is 6 kg heavier than 200 NS which is obvious due to fairing.
One of the biggest downer thing we found on 200 NS is Eurogrip tire's and unfortunately same tire's are going to carried over RS 200. Those Eurogrips simply don't inspire front end feel of bike at high speed corner entries, the grip is so much less that few people are addicted to rear end drifts slides on straight line's!
There is 1 thing which is warm welcome on RS 200 is ABS(antilock breaking system) . Pulsar RS 200 is getting duel channel ABS system which will help to aggressive braking without locking it's wheels which is going to be big plus for this bike. As no other bike in segment having ABS, Bajaj have planned ABS for this bike far back in time as one year old batch of 200 NS have 3 screw holes at rear wheel to hold ABS speed sensor disk. ABS will definitely help to ride bike at much faster speeds.
The RS 200 is Bajaj's 2nd bike which is going to get Fuel ejection system after 220 fi (which is discontinued). As we suspect F.I. system on RS 200 will be open loop for cost cutting measures but it'll help bike to ride smoothly. We would like to say F.I. is our favorite part on RS 200. You really starts appreciate F.I. system while your bike is at lean position in corner, you get's predictable and linear type of throttle response with no snatchy responses, cause no matter how good carburetor system is it always lag behind smooth flow of F.I. Just take example of carb on 200 NS. Bike runs smoothly for first few months but after which lower end power band mainly 3000 -5000 rpm band develops inconsistency in it's response and all blame goes to bike's carb. The response of carburetor simply can't match the confidence inspiring response of F.I. system especially at corners. RS 200 will get slight power bump due to F.I. which will help to maneuver it's higher weight. RS 200 will have top speed around 140 kmph. At the moment we don't have to wait much because RS 200 is going to launch on 26th March for price tag of 1.35 lakh onroad.
