Bajaj Pulsar RS200 first ride

  • Published On: 17 February 2017
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Pulsar RS200 now has a BS-IV compliant engine and gets new paint schemes.

Bajaj Pulsar RS200
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Bajaj Pulsar RS200
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You will either love the Bajaj’s RS200 or hate it. Some will say that it gives the impression of a bigger sportsbike, and that all the cuts and creases it sports give it a lot of character. However, you will also find another group who’ll find the bike to be overstyled, garish even.

But with the updated model for 2017, it looks like Bajaj has managed to find a nice balance between the above mentioned schools of thought. And no, Bajaj hasn’t gone back to the drawing board to give the RS200 a more universal appeal. It has simply done so by introducing two new colour schemes for the bike, namely Graphite Black and Racing Blue. And while that may not sound like a lot, it surely has had the desired effect. The bike particularly looks good in ‘Graphite Black’.

Besides the new colour schemes, the only changes on the new model are BS-IV compliancy for the engine and inclusion of the ‘Automatic Headlamp On’ feature.

The bike remains mechanically unchanged, which means it’s still powered by a 199.5cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine makes 24.5hp and 18.6Nm. It’s the same unit as in the recently relaunched NS200, but the motor makes an extra 1hp on the RS. It feels quite different too, with the motor coming in full swing only post 7,000rpm, from where, power delivery feels creamy smooth. Even the six-speed gearbox feels smoother and crisper than it does on the NS. However, refinement levels aren’t as impressive as the street naked. At high revs, you can feel the vibrations from the handlebar and particularly the footpegs.

Suspended on telescopic front forks and an adjustable rear monoshock, the RS200 rides quite well. The setup isn’t very soft, nor is it too firm, and in fact makes the bike sporty to ride. As before, the RS200’s twin-spar, pressed-steel frame works well with the suspension and keeps the bike composed at all times, be it on straights or when taking corners at higher speeds.

The 300mm petal-type disc up front, clamped down by Bybre brakes, and the 230mm rear disc do a good job at cutting the bike’s speed. The bike’s single-channel ABS also ensures that the bike slows down without any unnecessary skidding.

Priced at Rs 1,21,881 (non-ABS) and Rs 1,33,883 (ABS) (ex-showroom, Delhi), the RS200 costs around Rs 25,000-30,000 over its naked NS200 sibling. However, for the extra money, you don’t just get a fully faired bike, but also buy a safer one, as the RS comes with ABS. And thanks to the new colour schemes, you also get a better-looking bike. Yes, due to the fairing, the RS won’t be as nimble in tight city spaces as the NS200. But if it's a sporty, yet affordable fully faired bike you're looking for, the RS200 perfectly fits the bill.

Author: Droom

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