5 Reasons to Buy Bajaj Pulsar RS200

We had reviewed the Pulsar RS200 right after it was launched in March 2015. Our ride gave us enough feedback to judge the credentials of the bike to some extent, which we had shared with our readers. All the Pulsars have known to be a good combination of performance and affordability, a reason why it went on to be the most successful brand by Bajaj in today’s times and also redefine fun motorcycling for the mass market.

The Pulsar RS 200 has gone even further and is trying to offer a taste of higher performance with more equipment to motorcycle enthusiasts. We had an opportunity to further test the RS200 on the track, at the Bajaj Auto facility in Chakan, Pune. Apparently, we came back pretty impressed.

The RS 200 though being heavier than the 200NS, feels quick. The engine is refined and is built to rev. Within minutes onto the track, the feedback it gave was that it liked corners and is more agile than it initially felt. This was perhaps the most notable aspect. It holds its line impressively. Acceleration is linear and smooth. 0-60km/hr comes up under 5 seconds. Another aspect worth mentioning are the tyres, they offer very good grip and are confidence inspiring. The bike also feels light around corners.

One thing that was a bit of a let down was the handlebar position. In a bike such as this, a slightly more ‘lean forward’ stance would’ve made it much more fun. Straight line stability wasn’t a problem either. You can feel some vibrations in the fairing though. I could manage a top speed of 142km/hr on the speedo, while on the straight stretch. The engine redlines at around 10000rpm and this is indicated by a lamp placed next to the tachometer. Up shifting at around 9000 rpm is fine, to derive good acceleration. Gearshift is slick and very smooth, it did not disappoint even once.

In our earlier review, we had tested the non-ABS version, this time though, we got to ride the ABS one. The difference is evident under hard braking conditions, where the ABS kicks in and manages to keep the bike steady. Very thoughtful on the part of Bajaj for offering a feature that many costlier bikes still do not offer. The exhaust note, as mentioned in our review, lives up to the ‘Race Sport’ image.

Here are top five reasons why one should consider buying the Pulsar RS 200:

• Unique Styling: The styling if the RS 200 may be liked by some and not liked so much by others. However, the fact is that it is definitely unique. With the Transformers inspired look, it will certainly stand out in a crowd, especially in yellow colour. The Projector headlamps and LED indicators add to the appeal
• Most advanced Pulsar yet: While it can be debated whether it’s the fastest Pulsar, what is true is that it is undoubtedly the most advanced one. This fuel injected unit is very refined as compared to other Pulsars .
• ABS: The RS 200 is one of the few bikes in India to offer ABS below INR 1.5 lakhs.
• Well tuned suspension: While it may not have an extremely track friendly suspension, the Pulsar RS200 does a fine job in real world riding conditions, mainly on our roads. It soaks up rough patches well, while not bottoming or feeling harsh, either.
• Sporty exhaust note: One thing that will surely put a smile on one’s face is the way this bike sounds, especially when revved hard. The sound made by its exhaust is perfect for a single cylinder motorcycle, while being within permissible decibels.

The RS200 is a fine motorcycle and certainly the best Pulsar yet. It is an illustration of how the brand has evolved over the years. It may not have the raw power or the razor-sharp handling of the KTM RC200, but at this price, it is the best you can get.

[yasr_multiset setid=0]