It definitely looks like Bajaj Auto is planning to flood the market with different variants under the Pulsar Brand. Halfway through April this year, Bajaj Auto launched two motorcycles it had been testing from a long time. Bajaj Auto launched the Pulsar AS150 and AS200 simultaneously and literally killed the competition with it. Here is a detailed review and mega picture gallery of the Pulsar AS200.
The Pulsar AS200 marks the beginning of a whole new segment of biking in India – Adventure Touring. Yes, one might say that this isn’t a proper adventure touring motorcycle, because it lacks equipment like long-travel suspension, and luggage mounting racks or storage compartments etc. but it makes sense for Bajaj to call this a start to the adventure biking segment, as launching a full blown adventure motorcycle right now would just scare buyers away, as even the price would be on the higher side.
Bajaj has started off slowly and steadily with the launch of the AS200 and AS150, but the AS200 is more likely to be called a proper adventure sport motorcycle because of the presence of harder, thicker rubber and Disc brakes at the rear along with a more powerful engine.
The Pulsar AS200 is a half-faired motorcycle which reminds us of the Pulsar 220, as it almost slots into the same category, at least in terms of design. Up front, the AS200 sports a neat design language with a huge visor sitting above the headlamp cluster which, is exactly like the one found on the 200NS, but now has a projector added to it, making visibility in the dark a lot better than the 200NS.
The half-fairing is neatly designed and does a good job of making the motorcycle look bulkier without being too loud. The side profile of the AS200 from the tank and backwards is exactly the same as the 200NS without any changes at all, but there is a slight change at the rear end of the motorcycle. Bajaj has ditched the Tire-hugger of the 200NS in favour of a conventional tail fixed mudguard. The other details however are exactly the same as on the 200NS.
The AS200 is based on the same Perimeter frame as the RS200 and 200NS, and uses the same suspension setup too. The AS200 is no different from the 200NS in the ride and handling department too, as it accelerates, rides and corners exactly in the same way that the 200NS does, but the AS200 definitely is better for long distance touring than the 200NS, thanks to the upright seating position and the large visor at the front which reduces windblast on the rider, which in turn reduces fatigue while riding long distances. Bajaj has provided the plain-Jane Europgrip tires on the AS200 which is bit of a sore point about the motorcycle really, as these tires have little to no grip at all. Bajaj should have given us the MRF Zapper tires which are being provided on the 200NS now.
The AS200 is powered by the same liquid cooled, 199.5cc, single-cylinder motor which can be found both on the RS200 and 200NS, but it is carburettored like in the 200NS and unlike the RS200. The triple-spark technology equipped motor produces 23.5 PS of maximum power and 18.3 NM of maximum torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 6-speed gearbox.
Overall, Bajaj has given us a very good motorcycle in the Pulsar AS200, and has created an all-new adventure sport segment in the Indian motorcycle industry with hopes for this segment to grow in the next few years. The Bajaj Pulsar AS200 retails at INR 91,550 (ex-showroom, Delhi). At this price point, I just cannot think of any other motorcycle with similar features in the Indian market right now.
As of now Bajaj rules in the 200cc segment with 3 motorcycles to choose from.
Checkout more pictures and a video, after a jump.
Bike Courtesy: SUPREME MOTORS, JEPPU, MANGALORE
Ahmed Siddiq: +91 – 9845761864
To read more on Bajaj Pulsar AS models, Click here
Also see: Bajaj Pulsar AS200 – Triple Spark DTS-i engine, rear disc brake
GALLERY: Bajaj Pulsar AS200
