Bajaj Pulsar RS200 launched at Rs 1.18 lakh

Eagerly anticipated, as are all new Pulsar bikes from Bajaj, the ‘junior-supersports’ class RS200 has just been launched in India. The RS in the bike's moniker stands for Race Sport. Bookings for the RS200 have begun, and deliveries will commence soon. As proudly conveyed to us by Bajaj Motorcycle Business President Eric Vas, the company has spent a lot of time working behind the scenes, to perfect the RS200; testing and ironing out all possible problem areas before bringing the new-generation Pulsar into our showrooms, with a view to provide riders with a reliable motorcycle from the word go.

Sharp-nosed and aggressive, the Pulsar RS200 gets twin projector headlights staring out in front, with LED pilot lamps. The latest Bajaj comes equipped with a see-through visor, deflecting wind away from riders. Angular looking and flamboyant, the RS200 shouts out sporty intent, with clip-on handlebars offered as standard. A sporty, compact cockpit is in place on the RS200, with comprehensive, well laid out instruments and Bajaj-typical switches on offer.

There’s smartly contoured split seats, and a stubby, cropped exhaust. As on most Pulsars, the RS200's tail-light is LED powered, and there’s plenty of lightweight, alloy parts to keep the weight of the sporty RS200 in check.

The Pulsar RS200 is powered by a 199.5cc, SOHC, four-stroke and liquid-cooled engine that gains fuel-injection, and uses a triple spark-plug-equipped combustion chamber. This engine platform is shared with Bajaj’s naked streetbike, the Pulsar 200NS. Power output is a bhp up on the Pulsar 200NS, 24.2bhp at 9,750rpm, with maximum torque of 1.9kgm produced at 8,000rpm. The RS200 uses a six-speed gearbox.

Built around a perimeter frame, there’s a set of telescopic forks in the front, and Nitrox monoshock setup at the rear. The RS200 riding position is a touch on the sporty side, still more upright and comfortable as compared to the relatively aggressive KTM RC series bikes; Bajaj has positioned the RS200 as more of a useable sportsbike for urban India, rather than an outright track-focused motorcycle such as the KTMs.

Single rotor disc brakes are provided up front (300mm) and rear (230mm), with the RS200 being the first Pulsar to offer ABS brakes, a Bosch made single channel system.

The RS200 is available in two colours, red and yellow. Priced competitively at Rs 1.18 lakh without ABS and 1.30 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) with ABS, Bajaj tells us that the fully-faired motorcycle is the fastest Pulsar yet. We’re waiting to confirm that, and check out how it performs. So look out for our upcoming test ride of the Pulsar RS200 that will happen in the second week of April.

New Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 photo gallery