pulsar 200NS

Pulsar 200NS

 The Pulsar 200NS is a looker without doubt. Especially from the front three-quarters. Tight, muscular, aggressive and agile looking, the NS would have been the dream bike for youngsters in the late eighties when I had just started riding bikes. The design stands true to the major lines and angles of the Pulsar family and yet is refreshingly different in stance, poise and pose. With a major forward shift of the visual mass and a clean tail sans the traditional twin shocks and the exhaust end can, this bike looks purposefully aggressive and well-proportioned. I did feel though that the small headlamp assembly up front did bring the forceful forward-moving mass to an

abrupt halt.

The coolant level inspection window


The all new chain tension adjuster


The front footpegs give it a very sporty yet comfortable stance


The hidden exhaust pipe, sounds similar to the old Pulsars


The rear mono shock



The 130 rear section was good enough to inspire us to push it more and more on the corners


Coolant refill cap??


The battery is hidden underneath the front seat


The 'boot space'


The side/center stands





looks to kill...

The performance of this pulsar is a revelation. No, not purely in the domain of acceleration and top speed but ‘performance’ as a wholesome motorcycle. Compare the numbers and it will probably get beaten by the P220 in top speed but a good bike is more about speed with control, with the latter playing a pivotal role in truly enjoying the former. The 200NS out handles and out-brakes all previous Pulsar siblings and quite a few other motorcycles presently dotting the Indian scenario. The perimeter frame and the strengthened swing-arm had added a threefold increase in the lateral rigidity of the running chassis and it shows in the bike’s composure through any twists or turns thrown at it. It is flickable, has no tendency to drop into a lean or to resist cranking over in a turn and takes mid-turn corrections with gentle forgiveness. Add a well-sorted mono-shock rear, a neither-soft-nor-hard front suspension, an almost 50-50 front/rear weight distribution along with a tractable engine to the equation mated to a slick 6-speed box and what you get is a Pulsar that’s as enjoyable on the track as it would be in urban traffic. This one belongs to the twisties. The naked ‘no wind protection’ styling makes sustained high speeds a battle with your self-generated storm but then each time you’ll slow down a bit, you’ll revel in accelerating back to speed again.
The brakes were a surprise. The 280mm front and 230mm rear petal discs give a good sharp bite, are nicely gradable, provide fine feedback and are not prone to fading even after sustained track use. Add to this a rigid chassis and firm suspension and you can brake on the limit without jitters – outside or inside. Fork dive is nicely controlled and confidence inspiring. Deliberate locking of the rear wheel from 50 odd kph did not result in any wayward stepping out of the rear. Just a screeching inefficient stop as a ‘rear-brake alone’ stop is. I did try some bit of mid-turn braking, especially at the sharp-cornered chicane and found I could grade the TEXT & REVIEW: OLD FOX (SANDEEP GOSWAMI)

A comparo between the KTM 200 Duke and Pulsar 200 NS
Performance

KTM: High power to weight ratio combined with low gearing spread across a 6-speed box spells good take-off and fast sprinting. The quick-revving engine puts down those horses fast and the bike prods you to ride harder.
Pulsar: The 200NS has a good engine, a well matched gearbox and relatively high power to weight ratio. Good throttle response and a predictably sharp clutch makes it quick off the blocks and a good sprinter. The engine begs to be thrashed and responds tirelessly.
Verdict: The KTM has a slight edge here what with a more powerful engine, less weight and better running chassis.


Seat

KTM: This one is best ridden solo. The pillion treatment is stepmotherly but the rider has a good place to park his behind. The seat padding is firm and should be good for long hauls. The non-slip dimpled cover allows you to move only when you want to. No inadvertant sliding forward everytime you brake hard.
Pulsar: They both seemed similar on this count with the KTM pillion being a trifle worse off that the one on the 200NS, not just because of a smaller seat area on the KTM but also due to the rear footpegs being placed a little higher.
Verdict: The Pulsar appears to have a slight edge here, winning not just due to a marginally wider seat but also with better pillion comfort.


Electricals and Instruments

KTM: A very comprehensive instrument console with that multi-function display that probably gives the rider more information than he would regularly expect or use. The lights again seem right and should do a good reliable job.
Pulsar: The instruments might not be as sophisticated as the KM's MFD but the 200NS has a comprehensive complement of features in its display. The 'sidestand' indication, twin trip displays, engine oil level and temp, low battery indication and a shift light are pretty good per se.
Verdict: The KTM MFD wins but the 200NS is close behind it.


Fuel Efficiency

KTM: The Duke is purpose made with a certain brief on performance where fuel economy was not very high up in the priority list. Adequate but not above that.
Pulsar: The 200NS engine has been designed for upping the ante especially in thermal and volumetric efficieny stakes. And it shine there. With a claimed 58 kmpl under the Indian Driving Cycle and the figure dropping by about 30% or so at around 100 kph says a lot about fuel efficiency especially on a naked bike.
Verdict: The 200NS is an outright winner here.


Range

KTM: A small 10 ltr tank could be the Duke's achille's heel for long rides, more so with its average fuel efficiency.
Pulsar: The 200NS has a 12 ltr tank capacity and that allied with its better mileage gives is almost 30% more miles between fuel stops.
Verdict: Again the 200NS wins here.


Brand Impact

KTM:The KTM is a very coveted brand but this passion for it remains limited mainly within the enthusiasts.
Pulsar: The 'Pulsar' is almost a household name amongst bikers in India and a product like the 200NS that stands shoulder to shoulder with the best anywhere is a matter of pride for its owner. And less anxiety about long term ownership needs.
Verdict: The KTM is new, exotic and globally respected. The Pulsar stands proud here and is growing globally. The KTM assures of purposeful quality while the Pulsar is reassuring as it has been always there and apparently will always be.


Price

KTM:At 1,17,500 INR ex-showroom, the KTM is a steal.
Pulsar: No price disclosed yet but rumors doing rounds point at anywhere between 85,000-95,000 INR.
Verdict: The KTM, for the passionate and the knowledgable is a steal but the Pulsar shall be a bigger steal for the masses and the enthusiast alike if it comes it at <90,000 INR.