Why did Bajaj Auto Relaunched Pulsar 200NS!

While I was busy in different things that's the reason I was unable to update blog for long time, So I missed out lots of things going in Indian two wheeler market Now we'll try to look through many things in depth in upcoming posts.

Red color option In first version when it was launched in 2012. 

Let's start with 200NS a motorcycle which really changed motorcycling scene in India when It was launched in 2012 why ? well because It was the only motorcycle during that time that had such insane price to performance ratio, You were getting close to 24 bhp high revving bike under 1 lakh Indian rupee which was mind blowing considering it's modern hardware and equipment.
Then Bajaj launched another successful Pulsar RS 200 it was another phenomenal product from Bajaj Auto, So much so that to increase the production capacity company has to stop the production of 200NS to fulfill demands of RS200.

2017 Version with different color scheme

Then what ? Bajaj tried to do new adventure sports experiment with AS150 and AS200 bikes , Specifically speaking of AS 200 it's just NS200 with refined motor and semi fair front end, The hard core fans of 200NS were really faced disappointment by companies decision and many of 200NS's fans were forced to buy AS200. But many of automobile Industry enthusiasts Including me, were knew that due to huge fan followings Bajaj has to start 200NS production again. And as expected Bajaj auto has relaunched 200NS in January 2017 with BSIV regulation.

This time the price bracket were around 1.1 lakh on road with many improvements such as grippy MRF tyre's , 5 map CDI unit instead of 2, not much has been changed from motor perspective it's getting same high revving 199 cc 4 valves SOHC setup.
Currently 200NS is fighting with TVS's flagship Apache 200 4v but that bike doesn't seems to performing well in terms of sales numbers why ? we'll see that in upcoming posts.             
  

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Pulsar RS 200 or NS 200 , which one to choose?

After today's launched of RS 200 many awaited rider's wishes must be came true as some of them were waiting for Pulsar RS 200 from more than year before but many of the budding riders don't knows much about which motorcycle to buy, The two obvious value for money sport bikes in market are RS 200 and 200 NS , As for hardware of RS 200, bike shares many of it's parts and components with 200 NS ,

 So let's have look below what's major difference between RS 200 and 200 NS.

Price

The very first thing considered when we go out to purchase sport bike is price point, We try to figure out what features bike is offering in given price point , There isn't much price difference between RS 200 base model and 200 NS. 

If you choose RS 200 , you get state of the art fuel injection system for crisp throttle responses. With F.I. no matter in what condition you're riding your motorcycle cold or hot  the F.I. provides consistency in engine response and thus you don't have to calibrate right hand with accelerator for your riding style. 

Fully fairing is another advantage of RS 200 over NS, you get nice amount of wind protection for long highway hauls. RS also comes with twin projector headlamp at front which gives good illumination for optimize night riding's.

If you choose 200 NS , you get naked muscular bike which come's with old school carburetor which obviously have lagging throttle response compare to F.I. but still carburetor have advantage over F.I. The bike with carburetor can be repaired at any road side mechanic shop as there is no electronics involves whereas bike such as RS 200 can't be repaired at roadside mechanic if there is fueling problems.

 Naked bike means there is no fairing which saves lots of weight , the reduction in weight helps to achieve more fuel efficient operations thus surely NS will have edge or RS in term of fuel efficiency.

In the accidental situations naked bikes requires less repairing and maintenance cost so there again 200 NS have edge over RS 200.

Performance

It is very important criteria for enthusiast or sport rider, and the bike which have more power is obvious choice for them , but there is more to it than just outright power figures!

IF you choose RS 200 you get state of the art liquid cooled motor which is been used in 200 NS with 24.5 bhp at 9750 rpm and almost same 18.6 Nm of torque at 8000 rpm, The 1 bhp increment doesn't sounds much but bike will have significant amount of top end thrust because that 1 bhp increment comes at top of the rev range which is good for highway blasts and racing conditions. 

But what you're going to sacrifice is traffic riding low end force. The NS was already pain to ride in traffic due to short stroke motor, urges you to pull clutches in traffic and we recon with RS 200 the traffic affairs are going to be worst and to make matter even critical RS 200 is good 20 kg heavier than 200 NS, So it's our advice if you're a rider who frequently rides through heavy city traffic you should avoid this bike.      

If you choose 200 NS you get straight line acceleration advantage and acceleration advantage in twisty turns compare to RS 200 but you'll loose top end performance and high speed stability of RS 200 due to higher weight and fully faired design of RS 200.

You'll get better off-road capability with 200 NS due to higher ground clearance. RS have low ground clearance which is vulnerable to off roading and thus increases risk of scrapping beautiful fairing. So if you do frequent off roading NS is definitely bike to go with

Safety 

Having fun on bike and returning home safely is something which make's us worry every time we take risk of aggressive sport riding, so lets take look into this criteria. 

If you choose RS 200 you get ABS enabled brakes ABS stands for anti-lock braking system. No matter how hard rider holds brake leaver , The tire never get's lock under hard braking situations, the ABS modulates braking force at disks according to motorcycles speed and saves rider from skids. Therefor if you choose RS you gets safety assurance of ABS.

RS 200 gets sticky MRF rubber which helps to grip road surface better than Eurogrip tires , which will give you more confidence for hard riding's and aggressive corner entries.

If you choose 200 NS you don't get ABS even as an option,  leaving out very good safety bracket. You have to modulate braking force on your own , something which is only experienced riders can do perfectly during sprinted ridings. The Eurogrip tire's on 200 NS makes matter even worst you have to be very cautious in lean to lean transitions, The front end feel of 200 NS during corner entries isn't enticing either again due to Eurogrip tires. So if safety is your priority we recommend you to take RS 200 over 200 NS.

So that's our comparison over newly launched RS 200 and Existing 200 NS, if you still have questions you can drop in comment box.  

      

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Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 launched at 1.18 lakh

Finally this is it! Pulsar RS 200

The most anticipated bike from Bajaj, The Pulsar RS 200 (racing sports) is finally launched. Bike having same liquid cooled power plant as 200 NS with exception in fueling system with F.I. and ABS brakes.

Engine now makes 24.5 Bhp of power and 18 Nm of torque with help of these higer figures, Bajaj can claim that this is fastest the Pulsar yet.Also that fact is due to fairing aerodynamics helps to achieve greater top end performances, Bajaj claims RS 200 can reach 141 kmph.

Bajaj also claims somewhere 58 kmpl of average fuel efficiency which is same as 200 NS due to fact that both having same power plants and same six speed gearbox with same ratio's.

The non ABS variant of bike have the price of 1.18 lakh while ABS variant have price of 1.30 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) 

Pulsar RS 200's main highlights are

First fully faired Pulsar.

Fuel injection.

ABS(anti lock braking system).

Perimeter frame as 200 NS.

Twin projector headlamps.

Rear twin crystal fishtail lamp.

Have look below RS 200 launch video.

According to video, the tagline of RS 200 is " Leave track racing to Amateurs"  which means this bike is dedicated track riders ,but looking at riding position and riders triangle between foot rests, handle bar and seating position, doesn't sounds like dedicated riding position for track day's , Never mind bike looks absolute fab in Yellow color and Addition to this Red and Black colors will be available.

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Early words over Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 eka 200 SS's Riding Dynamics

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.        

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Booking commence at Bajaj dealership for Pulsar 200 SS

And after countless delays, finally launching of most awaited, most spied and technologically most advanced Pulsar is going to take place, Gentlemen Its 200 SS, Yes you heard right! authorized Bajaj dealerships have started taking bookings for Pulsar 200 SS with booking amount of 10,000 rupees and deliveries will take place from next month.

Mechanically bike is same as 200 NS , getting same 199.5 cc single cylinder, 4 valve single cam  liquid cooled motor producing around 24 bhp of power fueling through F.I. throttle body instead of carburetor for consistent performance in any situation, it's yet to see if bike is getting close loop fuel injection or open loop, we think it will be open loop for cost saving measures. Having perimeter frame just like 200 NS , 200 SS will be excellent handler with probably same rake and trail as NS, 200SS is getting side slung exhaust canister unlike 200 NS's lower slung ,which will help to sound more sporty for sure.  Pulsar 200 SS will be excellent bang for buck, bike is offering so much feature for less price than CBR 150R .

Pulsar 200 SS is Bajaj's first fully faired bike and will offer in Yellow, red, blue and black color at cost for 1.35 lakh onroad and it'll go head to head with Yamaha's R15 and Honda's CBR 150R. 

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Bajaj to Launch Pulsar 200SS in 4th March with availability of 4 colors

After Enormous waiting period , 200 SS is seems towards ongoing public launch. through out whole past year we have seen 200 SS is being excessively tested through different climate and conditions of our country .While we have also seen fully production bikes which have displayed around globe: such as Indonesia and Turkey. The launching of 200 SS is said to taking in March in our country and it's very important product launch for Brand Bajaj as well as enthusiasts like you and me!
As seen in overseas display models, now we know in what colors Bajaj is going to offers 200 SS. Red, Yellow, Blue and Black  in duel tone scheme. The black color is possibly offered in golden strip vinyl as Yamaha did with FZ and r15 color treatment. after all color variations plays very important role in appealing factors, thus boosting selling figures.
200 SS shares it's most of hardware with 200 NS such as frame, rims, fork, monoshock and most significant element 200CC triple spark motor with fuel Injection setup which will help motor to produce power slightly above 24 bhp, Other highlights including projector headlamps, LED daytime running lights, slight more forward lean position over 200 NS, side slung exhaust  and optional single channel abs from Bosch.
 Bike is expected to have on road price tag of 1.25 lakh for non abs as well as 1.35 lakh for abs version.

See more color options below.

Blue color scheme

Red color scheme

Bike's highlight

Black color scheme

Yellow color scheme

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Production version of Bajaj Pulsar 200 SS and 200 AS Displayed In Indonesia

Bajaj have shown Its upcoming products in Indonesia In fully production form. Pulsar 400 CS (cruiser sports) ,Pulsar 200SS (super sports) and Pulsar 200AS(adventure sports), We know most of things about first two models. As 400 CS shown in Delhi Auto Expo, 200SS is also shown previously In Turkey. 200 SS is going to have same engine as 200 NS with FI, Power hike is expected around 1 to 1.5 bhp due to FI , top speed will be around 140 to 145 kmph due to full fairing. Bike will

available in ABS as well as Non ABS versions. ABS on 200 SS is said to be single channel Bosch setup which only prevents front wheel from locking, According to Bosch this is Light abs which have same quality of ABS hardware found in top end ABS system while software algorithm is calibrated for low displacement bikes. In India Pulsar 200SS NON ABS will be around 1.10 Lakh while ABS version will around 1.20 Lakh (ex Showroom Price).

 So that's All about 200 SS but what's 200 AS is ? Well it seems Bajaj wants to cover all relative segments with clever strategy, Visually 200NS, 200SS and 200AS matches almost 60% of hardware for eg. twin spar frame, rims, engine, swing arm, instrument cluster.

Trick is to provide different type of bike for different crowd while keeping production cost minimum. 200 AS seems middle child among 200CC family, above 200 NS and below 200SS. In images we can see Tall windscreen ,projector headlamp and upright sitting position which all pointing towards touring oriented bike.

If you study this final image carefully you can see idle screw just like 200NS, thus 200AS most probably won't going to employ expensive FI system, Instead It will come with UCD 33 carburetor for fueling just like 200 NS.

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Pulsar 160ns may called just Pulsar 150. Sounds like strategic move by Bajaj !

Front end looks almost exactly same as 200 ns.

Currently lower spectrum of pulsar is consisting of pulsar 180 and pulsar 150 which are soon going to get overhaul, inspired by 200 ns . As globally pulsar 160 ns have been shown specifically in Turky what we can conclude now is as speculated earlier the pulsar 160ns may not called as 160ns instead it will continue to be called as 150. at least images pointing out that.

split seats going to make scary ride for ladies who prefer to sit with one side legs.

 

There is even one more possibility that this new pulsar may kept above current pulsar 150,   

 But why? because as seen in images this bike is outright sporty compare to current pulsar 150 , Just look at its split seat , broad clipon , open type chain or hard monoshock from 200 ns , There is significant amount of power bump is expected over current 15 bhp.

If they employ same 150 cc mil, power will raise around 16 to 16.5 bhp using 4 valve setup it could well go above that if they're employing  160 cc mil. If they place this 160 ns above current 150 pulsar then there are chances about getting  6 speed transmission or else it will be continue getting 5 speed gearbox for usable torque distribution in city traffic, triple spark technology is future for bajaj and we can expect that from this pulsar 160 ns, This new pulsar will compete with Yamaha  FZ v 2.0, Suzuki Gixxer ,  and even Hero Xtreme sports , This pulsar is expected to launch around mid 2015 and as always with Bajaj's aggressive pricing we can expect this bike at price tag of 70 to 75 thousands(ex showroom)     

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