Road test: 2012 Bajaj Pulsar 200NS

Aug 14, 2012 14:56pm

Bajaj's all-new 200NS is the first of the new Pulsar line. How has India's iconic sporty motorcycle progressed?
This is clever design and using a plastic tank cover enables complex shapes all of which create a striking motorcycle.
Our economy tests showed that the P200 is a reasonably fuel efficient motorcycle, returning 30.2kmpl in Mumbai%u2019s traffic while on the highway we got 40.3kmpl exactly. These are decent numbers.
The head lamp design is also very distinct although the triangular shape of the beam does bring to mind the CB1000R naked. In contrast, the tail lamp area looks under defined.
Bajaj have managed to infuse the new motorcycle with a good sense of performance while retaining both in design terms and in engine note.
We also liked the fact that the rear disc - not that we used it much - also allows a fair amount of travel so modulating pressure is easy.
The gearbox is sweet and light to operate as usual and unlike the Duke, there was a very little trouble finding neutral on the Pulsar.
The P200 manages 60kmph in 4.33s, 100kmph in 11.67s and the quarter mile takes 18.14s at which point it's going 112.83kmph. Numbers aside, we quite liked the feel of this engine.
Brakes are very good too and initial bite is softer than you expect which make them friendly but it is backed up with enough power as you continue to squeeze the lever.
Bajaj have priced the motorcycle very well at just Rs 99,220 on-road Mumbai, which makes it, in our eyes, among the best value for money deals in the market right now.