[Technocrat]

Looks fantastic, they have done a great job with styling. So the design survey's result they did find their way to the final design

[antz.bin]

The extra spark plug is used for better combustion efficiency (not for 'looking different') and controlling emissions without using expensive technology like Fuel injection which will jack up the price by a cool 15k (that was the price difference between the old P220 Fi and the new P220 Carb back in July-August 2009). If you read the zigwheels article on the engine + transmission here:

Engine and Transmission on the New 2012 Bajaj Pulsar Page - 2| Zigwheels.com

The cat con used in the PuNS is tiny as compared to the sizable one on the Duke. Smaller cat con = much cheaper to manufacture the exhaust = cost savings for both company and customer. What this also means is that the combustion efficiency achieved by the PuNS is much better than the Duke even though it doesn't use the more advanced Fi tech. Back in 2009, contrary to what happened today, the P220 Carb had to be introduced with a cat con whereas the P220 Fi did not have one though both were DTSi.

Just by ingeniously using a carb + triple spark-plug + SOHC + smaller cat con setup, BAL has easily saved costs in the tune of 20-25k. Add to it the comparatively thinner tyres, lack of the cast Aluminum swing arm, the thinner(but equally wide as the CBR) conventional forks saves another 20-25k. They can easily price the PuNS a good 50k less than the Duke and still make handsome margins + very well kill the competition (Come on! Why would you buy anything else if this sold for 75-80k OTR? Thats closer to FZ than to Zma). But considering how terribly overpriced the competition is, BAL can very well price this around 90-95k OTR (35-40k less than Duke) and still the general bike enthusiasts will be happy with the pricing.

[shortbread]

@ technocrat,

Wot design survey?!

[sam_sant2005]

Ok everyone is talking about Triple spark (Bajaj's Innovation as usual) and lack of FI(cost cutting). But aren't you guy's missing something ??? ABS ????

ABS is the pick of the features these days. IMHO if Bajaj doesn't come out with it, they are definitely losers. As always I feel this is one feature which is more important in Bikes than Cars.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by sam_sant2005

But aren't you guy's missing something ??? ABS ????

+ 1.

I wish it had ABS as well. Would have made it an even better package. But then again, Duke 200 doesn't get ABS as well.

I guess they will include it in the 350 (Duke and Pulsar) series coming next year.

Originally Posted by a_myth

But a word of caution. Since it a all new bike with an all new technology, IMHO, it would be better not to rush into the showrooms just yet.

Although Bajaj denies it - most of the technology used has been shared with KTM (and hence already tested).

[jkdas]

Nice one Bajaj!

When would this be out to buy?

[aditya101]

Originally Posted by Ford5

So much drama and no Fuel injection ? This is where Indians fail miserably...

Carburetter has been used for better performance

[mayankk]

This is like watching your favorite actor make a comeback after a 10 year hiatus, and blow EVRYTHING away.
I have loved the pulsar since the "its a boy" days, and still am holding on to my 180 from the first production batch(yes, the one with the catastrophic gearbox), didnt like the facelifts, but THIS is evolution!!
23odd horses...
I just love how it looks centred, you know, the mass?
not forward biased, or rear.
all between the wheels.
Optimum!!
just gotta convince the wife now!

[abhisheksircar]

That's a good launch review. Thanks.

The bike has everything to become a winner in the price segment Bajaj wants to settle down. It should now just deliver what the looks promise. Technical snags to the minimum will really imbibe the brand confidence.

[arrpiem]

Originally Posted by zenx

The exhaust is not very Leh/Mumbai monsoon-friendly. Else, its a very very good package. Styling, power, and hopefully pricing - all spot on.

If this is an engine modeled on that of the KTM, then water logging wont really affect it as much coz it's a short stroker.

It's a great evolution by Bajaj, but I'm still gonna go in for the KTM...those meaty shocks & that stance is all i need...

[ku69rd]

Bike definitively looks good on paper with its specs. When compared with Duke does it offer a VFM package? Guess the answer is no considering that the Duke comes with an FI & USD forks when compared to ol Carb & regular fork setup.
Seems heavily inspired by the Honda CB, but somehow felt that the tail lets it down quite a length.

[Ford5]

Originally Posted by aditya101

Carburetter has been used for better performance

I'm sorry, but thats not totally true. Look at the engine specs, it's clear that Bajaj has re-engineered the same KTM engine. Carburetter does not imply better performance, rather Bajaj implemented it in this bike to keep costs down, which is totally pointless since an all new bike needs up to date mechanicals, which this NS was deprived of

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by Ford5

Carburetter does not imply better performance, rather Bajaj implemented it in this bike to keep costs down,

+1 to that, Carbs does not necessarily mean a better performance. Also they have inculcated the Indian Jugaad in a big way by putting in the 3 spark plugs with a hope of better combustion so that neutral/dead spots can be eliminated.

[v.anand]

I feel very proud with the effort and outcome of a completely Indian bred performance 200 cc bike Pulsar and to a large extent KTM as well.

Will I buy it? Big question only time can answer.

If any of the Japanese big brands had launched this very same bike, I too would have stood in the line to lay my hands on one (KTM even). But knowing the early Pulsar problems and tendency to use customers as gunie pigs, I find it more prudent to wait for an year to analyse the reliability factor before putting my money on one.

As a bike and first impression, Pulsar 200 NS certainly looks like the best money can buy and Kudos to Bajaj for achieving the same.

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by jkdas

Nice one Bajaj!

When would this be out to buy?

April 2012! So by May we will see this on roads.