KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Bajaj Pulsar NS200 debuted in 2012 as the new flagship Pulsar mode
- It was the first Bajaj motorcycle to feature liquid cooling, triple spark plugs and a 6-speed transmission
- The most recent update gave the Pulsar NS200 an all-new LED headlamp and a full LCD instrument console
When the Bajaj Pulsar lineup needed a significant wave of change in the early 2010s, Bajaj Auto understood the market notion and introduced the Pulsar NS200 in 2012. One of the first motorcycles developed under the then newly formed Bajaj-KTM alliance, the Pulsar NS200 introduced many firsts for Bajaj Auto, making it a landmark motorcycle for its time.
Needless to say, the fantastic value-for-money proposition of the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 made it an instant hit. However, the motorcycle remained more or less the same all these years, gradually reducing its popularity amidst the rising competition. This year, Bajaj Auto decided to give the Pulsar NS200 a fresh lease of life with an update, which saw the motorcycle getting a few new features to stay afresh. Before moving ahead, join our 91Wheels WhatsApp Community to stay updated on the latest automotive news.
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Bajaj Pulsar NS200 Old vs New: Design And Brief History
The Bajaj Pulsar NS200 was launched as the new flagship naked roadster model in the Pulsar lineup in 2012. While the engine was derived from the KTM Duke 200, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 had a very different design language that looked very distinguished from the rest of the Pulsar models. The Pulsar NS200 came with a striking Italian streetfighter design, with sharper-looking front fascia, fuel tank, and tail section, with the fuel tank having a more chiseled look with sharp creases compared to the trademark muscular fuel tank of other Pulsars.
Since its launch, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 has retained its original design, which remains similar today. However, Bajaj Auto has made it look fresh and up-to-date with new graphics and colour options. In its latest update, new features, especially the LED headlamp, have made the Pulsar NS200 look even more modern.
Bajaj Pulsar NS200 Old Vs New: Engine
As mentioned before, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 was bestowed with an all-new engine derived from the KTM Duke 200. When it was launched in 2012, it was the first motorcycle engine from Bajaj Auto to feature liquid cooling and a triple spark plug arrangement, the latter of which was not present even in the Duke 200.
This single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 199.5cc engine of the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 has been at its heart all these years, with Bajaj Auto minorly tweaking its internals to meet the latest emission norms. This engine now produces a maximum power output of 24.5 PS and a maximum torque output of 18.74 Nm in the updated version of the Pulsar NS200. These figures make it one of the most powerful Pulsar models today, apart from the Pulsar RS 200 and Pulsar N250. In addition to liquid cooling, the Pulsar NS200 was the first Bajaj motorcycle to have a 6-speed transmission.
Bajaj Pulsar NS200 Old Vs New: Features
The Pulsar lineup of motorcycles from Bajaj Auto, which included Pulsar 150, Pulsar 180, and Pulsar 220F, received a whole new upgrade in features with the Pulsar NS200. This new range-topping roadster from Bajaj Auto debuted with features like LED turn indicators, pilot lamps, clip-on handlebars, and a part-digital instrument console. It also received a backlit switchgear with blue illumination, LED tail lamps, split seats, split pillion grab rails, an underbody exhaust pipe, and a rear tyre hugger.
These features remain in the new updated Bajaj Pulsar NS200, except the part-digital console, which a new full-LCD instrument console has now replaced. This negative LCD console also features Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation. The Pulsar NS200 has also been updated with an upside-down telescopic front fork and a new all-LED headlamp with thunderbolt-shaped daytime running LEDs to its sides.
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Verdict
Given that it was a landmark motorcycle debuting several firsts for Bajaj Auto, the Pulsar NS200 holds immense significance. The new feature additions and revised graphics and colours have instantly made it look up-to-date despite being a decade-old motorcycle in design and mechanicals. At Rs 1.59 lakh, it is not priced much steeper than the range-topping 160cc sports commuters, thus making it a fantastic value-for-money proposition.
