Bajaj Pulsar CS400 launch likely on February 1st

Bajaj has sent out a press release asking us to block our dates on February 1st for the launch of a new motorcycle. Bajaj haven’t divulged any more details but we assume it to be the new Pulsar CS400 (Cruiser Sport). Bajaj officials had told ZigWheels last year that the first new offering from them for 2016 will most likely be the new Pulsar CS400. Bajaj Auto had also announced that it wouldn’t be participating in the 2016 Auto Expo so as to save cost and invest that money in the marketing of their products. With the new motorcycle, Bajaj plans on creating a new segment altogether in the Indian market termed as Power Cruisers.

This will be Bajaj’s first ever 375cc motorcycle in India, with the idea to provide a reliable, easy to run and maintain motorcycle, which can be used for leisure biking and taken on tours and long rides. And what will make the Bajaj Pulsar CS400 special will be its fairly affordable price tag which we think could be just under Rs 2 lakh. It will be also the first motorcycle from the stables of Bajaj to offer a 375cc powerplant and will be its new flagship offering. 

The design inspiration for the motorcycle is varied; the headlamp and front fairing come across as an evolution of the Pulsar 200 NS design and so does the longer fuel tank. But, overall, the Pulsar CS 400 reminds one of a scaled down Diavel from Ducati. The end result is a motorcycle that looks stunning. Powering the motorcycle would be the 375cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder powerplant as seen on the KTM 390 Duke. The engine will be tuned to suit the power cruiser dynamics and expect around 33PS and 35Nm of peak toque. The motor will be mated to a 6-speed transmission. 

The Pulsar CS 400 is based on the same platform as the KTM 390 Duke. So, the engine and the chassis are shared. But, to give the CS 400 a power cruiser stance, the Pulsar has a more raked out front end and a longer rear swingarm. It does, nonetheless, use the rear gas charged monoshock from the Pulsar 200 NS and the front upside down forks from the KTM Duke range. Braking will be done by disc brake on both the ends and ABS will also be offered as a standard fitment. The Bajaj Pulsar CS400 doesn’t really have a competitor in the Indian market but the Royal Enfield Himalayan is the only motorcycle that comes close to it given their displacement similarities.