Bajaj Pulsar AS200: First Review

Since the time Bajaj Auto introduced the Pulsar range of motorcycles in 2001, it has been a game changer. In fact, Bajaj was one of the few manufacturers to introduce Indian enthusiasts to affordable performance motorcycling. It wasn’t really surprising then that the Chakan-based bike maker has been riding the wave in this segment. And that is exactly the reason why they haven’t given its flagship range an update, and quite frankly they didn’t need to either. But now with the market gradually maturing for the good, it was time for Bajaj to rework its strategy, especially since the Pulsar 200NS didn’t bring the kind of success they would have hoped for. So, is the Bajaj Pulsar AS200 just the kind of motorcycle to get the sales soaring? 

Looks: Quarter faired motorcycles are just the thing for Indian conditions. The riding position of these offerings isn’t overly aggressive like full-faired ones, neither is the suspension too stiff, but more on that later. 

Although the Bajaj Pulsar AS200 shares a lot of its parts with the naked sibling, it doesn’t fail to make its own identity. Up front the headlight unit is the same as the 200NS but this one gets a projector for better illumination. The fairing blends well into the tank as well as the headlight, much like the Pulsar 220F. And to give it the ‘Adventure Sport’ feel there is the large windshield which we wish was not transparent. The panels at back are almost entirely borrowed from the 200NS, but by no means do they look disproportionate. 

Features: For the price that it comes at, the Bajaj Pulsar AS200 has a lot on offer right from projector headlamps to backlit switchgear. And then there is the triple spark technology for enhanced performance and efficient usage of fuel. Bajaj has fitted the Pulsar AS200 with 280mm discs up front which is the biggest in class, and at the back it sports a 230mm disc. 

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Engine: At the heart of things, the Pulsar AS200 has a 199.5cc liquid-cooled unit that makes 23.5PS of power at 9,500rpm and 18.3Nm at 8,000rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels using a six-speed gearbox. This engine is the same one that was first seen on the Pulsar 200NS and has proven to be quite a performer. But unlike the recently launched Pulsar RS200, Bajaj has not equipped the AS200 with fuel injection primarily to keep costs in check.  

Price: Keeping in mind the segment and the competition, Bajaj has got the pricing just right. At Rs 91,550 (ex-showroom Delhi) the AS200 is a good value for money proposition especially with the kind of features it has on offer.