2017 Bajaj Pulsar NS200 BSIV Review, First Ride

2017 Bajaj Pulsar NS200 BSIV has come back into the market and now as it is emission friendly and eliminates its minus points of the past

Enchanting –

• Back with stunning decals and paint schemes
• Superlative chassis, brakes, engine
• Comfortable and Practical
• Value For Money

Unsatisfying –

• NO ABS Yet
• Limited color options

By now, you know the fact that we were at the Chakan test track of Bajaj to test the 2017 Pulsars. One of them as we know was gone for some time and now it has come back. The NS200 is back and Bajaj admits it was out of action because the A200 and AS150 had made an entry and were probably set to replace the NS200.

However, that did not happen as the AS series has taken a break for now and NS200 is back. There were the speculated changes such as FI and ABS. which we told you first that it isn’t happening. As expected, the carburetor and non ABS models have made it to the 2017 Pulsar and still complies with BSIV emission norms. Bajaj has said there are changes, but subtle enough to make them stand out. Nevertheless, the NS200 was a potent motorcycle and we have tested for you to find out.

Design

When it comes to the styling, the panels, under belly ehxaust, all have remained the same. There hasn’t been much changes in that area. Where the changes truly lie is the graphics and the paint scheme that is on offer, which has transformed the motorcycle from what it is used to look earlier. The red and silver scheme in particular is stunning as the bikini fairing has been painted. There is an inclusion of a new engine belly fairing on offer. There is also a white and silver scheme which also looks rather good. There are pin strips on the rims to make sure they depict motion. Overall, the NS200 is back and in the right avatar when it comes to cosmetic changes.

Ergonomics

Ergonomic story also remains the same as it offers an upright riding position, rear set footpegs and clip-on handle bars. The seats are large and supportive and it gives you the big bike feel that you need. The side panels can touch your thighs in traffic and it can cumbersome at times. Something we noticed every time we tested same bike on this platform. The position continues to be sporty and comfortable at the same time a major plus point, which helps the NS200 sell in good numbers.

Speedo and Switches

Speedometer and switches changes include the removal of the headlight switch and it continues to be blue lit. The speedo now has faux carbon fibre finish all around it and the meters and font continues to be the same. There are the same tell-tale lights on offer and the background color is blue lit.

Engine and Gearbox

Performance is where the NS200 is an absolute revelation and it continues to be so. The engine has been made BSIV compliant but along with that the motor has been refined and is much more smoother, NVH are low and the vibrations are now negligible at any given speed or gear. The motor has a less low-end torque but the mid range and the top-end power is the highlight and it extracts all the 23 BHP of power very easily and quickly as the engine revs very fast just like the KTM Duke 200 which is the donor engine for the bike.

You can easily see 140 km/hr on the speedo which we saw at the track. 0-100 km/hr comes up in under 10 seconds and it does 60 km/hr in under 4 seconds, which is fast by segment standards. The gearbox is smooth, the clutch is light and progressive as well. The NS200 does all of this while sounding bassy, thrashy and uninterrupted. Overall, the NS200 continues to be a quick and fast motorcycle at the same time and has the right engine character that is needed for a street fighter motorcycle.

Dynamics

Dynamically, the motorcycle comes with the perimeter frame and fat front forks which are telescopic unit at the front and monoshock which is gas charged at the rear. The motorcycle now gets new MRF rubber instead of the Eurogrips and that now helps exploit the chassis potential even more. The turn-in is quick and the motorcycle is light and agile in the corners. Stability mid corner and at high-speed is very good as well.

The ride quality is really good despite the motorcycle is stiffly sprung. Motorcycle is a bit front heavy and maneuvering in tight conditions takes a little more effort than other bikes in the category. Brakes continue to be stellar as Bajaj is offering floating calipers, petal discs on both ends with good bite and progressive power post that. ABS is still missing though.

2017 Bajaj Pulsar NS200 BSIV Review, Verdict

The NS200 comes back has been largely awaited is because that it was missed when it was gone. The street-fighter comes back with a bang as it offers a lot value or money, is now more refined than before and is dynamically, the best Pulsar in the stable today. The NS200 now has a lot of competition and on paper, but it still continues to be one of the very best buys in this category.

Price Rs. 96,453 ex-showroom Delhi

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