KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 is on sale in India at Rs 1.73 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
- The Pulsar RS 200 is powered by a single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 199.5cc engine that produces 24.5 PS and 18.7 Nm
- It was the first fully-faired motorcycle from Bajaj Auto
The Bajaj Pulsar RS200 was launched with much fanfare almost a decade ago as the ultimate sports bike from Bajaj. With an extreme design, solid and high-quality mechanicals and a big-bike appeal, the Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 quickly became popular among enthusiasts. However, the game has changed much in the entry-level performance segment with the arrival of faster and more powerful sports bikes in recent years. Is the Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 still relevant amidst the increasing heat of competition? We take a look at all of its pros and cons. Before moving ahead, join our 91Wheels WhatsApp Community to stay updated on the latest automotive news.
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2024 Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 Pros
Comfortable riding posture for a sports bike
Even in the entry-level performance category, sports bikes usually have aggressive riding postures. While this can help attack corners, it can also prove to be tiring in daily riding conditions while tackling heavy traffic situations. The Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 feels more comfortable with its slightly upright handlebars, offering less pressure on your back while riding for longer hours.
Competition check: Compared to the Yamaha R15, Hero Karizma XMR, and KTM RC 200, all of which have a more aggressive ergonomic setup, the Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 has a more comfortable riding posture.
Big Bike Appeal
Very few bikes have the road presence and big bike appeal as good as the Bajaj Pulsar RS 200. The overall dimensions of the Pulsar RS 200 are pretty large for a 200cc motorcycle, making it look larger and more powerful than it is.
Competition check: The Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 is one of the largest fully-faired motorcycles in the sub-250cc category, with a visual mass as big as that of the Karizma XMR and RC 200.
Wide after-sales network
Maintaining a sports bike is not as easy and cost-effective as maintaining your usual commuter. However, thanks to Bajaj Auto's extensive part-sharing and expansive sales and service network, the cost and ease of ownership are very user-friendly.
Competition check: Bajaj Auto has a more extensive service network than Yamaha and KTM and fares equally well as Hero MotoCorp
Affordable pricing
With an ex-showroom price of Rs 1.73 lakh, the Bajaj Pulsar RS200 is a stellar value-for-money proposition. As with any other Bajaj Auto product, the Pulsar RS 200's price-to-performance ratio is industry-leading.
Competition check: At Rs 1.73 lakh, the Pulsar RS 200 is more affordable than all of its rivals, including Hero Karizma XMR (Rs 1.81 lakh), Yamaha R15 V4 (Rs 1.82 lakh) and KTM RC 200 (Rs 2.20 lakh).
2024 Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 Cons
Quirky styling
The Bajaj Pulsar RS 200's design draws eyeballs but in a polarised manner. The motorcycle's overall design language is extremely busy, which might not be to everyone's taste. Also, the last update added loud graphics, further increasing the scale of polarization about its styling.
Competition check: Compared to the Pulsar RS 200, the Yamaha R15 V4 and Hero Karizma XMR have more universally accepted designs.
No significant update for a long time
The Bajaj Pulsar RS200 has been on sale for over a decade. Since its launch, this fully-faired motorcycle from Bajaj Auto hasn't received any significant update to its design, features list, or mechanicals, barring a few new color options and graphics in all these years.
Competition check: Compared to the Pulsar RS 200, the new Yamaha R15 V, Hero Karizma XMR, and KTM RC 200 are much fresher-looking motorcycles, given that they were launched in recent years.
Engine refinement at higher RPMs
As a sports bike, the Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 loves to be revved and ridden sportily. While the acceleration is impressive for a 200cc motorcycle, the engine sounds gruffly at higher speeds, with a few vibrations creeping in after the 100 km mark.
Competition check: Compared to the Pulsar RS 200, the Yamaha R15 V4 and Hero Karizma XMR feel more refined at higher speeds.
Read more: Bajaj Pulsar N160 Key Features Explained: Here's All You Get
Verdict
Given its stellar price-to-performance ratio, the Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 might be a great value-for-money proposition. However, the motorcycle's extremely subjective design and the mechanical setup have remained unchanged for a long time. Bajaj Auto needs to introduce a significant update for the Pulsar RS 200 to stay in the fast-paced competition.
