2015 Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 review, test ride

The RS 200 is the latest evolution of India’s favourite small capacity sportsbikes, the Pulsars. Bajaj’s ‘modern day Chetak’ in some ways, and its most precious baby today, the Pulsars have stood for sportsbike performance in a user friendly package with impressive specifications.

The Pulsar RS 200 gets a full fairing along with newfound ambition to scrap with Yamaha’s YZF-R15, Honda’s CBR150R and the KTM RC 200, in this junior supersports class. The burning question is whether the RS 200 succeeds in embracing the Pulsar family DNA – a balance of sporty and practical. RS stands for Race Sport, and let’s find out where it stands.

 

There’s been plenty of buzz regarding the styling of the Pulsar RS 200 with some impressed and others, not so happy. Chances are, if you’re still in the 20-30 years age bracket, you will like its funky look. But then again, everyone may not want a bike that looks this flamboyant, perhaps a shade too busy.

 

It’s edgy and modern, with a masked, twin-projector headlight equipped nose that reminds one of the Yamaha YZF-R1. There’re LED pilot lamps as well. Aggressive and compact, the RS 200 has sharp lines, Pulsar-typical slender-spoke alloy wheels and a stubby, cropped exhaust end can.