okay guys, here's my initial thoughts on the Pulsar 200 NS.

The bike is still in run-in mode. Have clocked 500 kms till now and will be taking it for first service tomorrow.

First the pre-purchase experience:
Certainly not a very pleasant one. Though i had ridden the bike during the media ride at Bajaj's test track in Chakan when the 200NS was first launched and was convinced that I was going to buy it. The test ride wasn't going to make much difference in my decision; however, I still wanted to take the test ride before handing over my money to them. Called up Shiva Bajaj, biggest Bajaj dealer in ghaziabad and asked about the availability of a test ride vehicle. I reached there after getting a positive response, but once i was there I was told that that the test vehicle wasn't available and I could ride a brand new bike inside their premises only. I could've settled the matter right there and then but I chose to come back to the office and shoot an email to Bajaj through their customer care section on their website. A mail was sent and got an apology laden phone call within an hour from the dealership - Pretty impressive I must say. Which also makes me conclude that Bajaj is trying hard to change their image of a non-customer friendly entity; however, it is the dealership guys who are playing the spoilsport. Calls for more intensive training on handling the customers.

The purchase day:
Again not a very good experience. Reached the Arya Nagar Shiva Bajaj dealership & told them I'll buy the bike in full cash but need the test ride of the bike. Here again, the first answer was a NO. But I pushed my way to get the test ride. The bike I rode had lot of vibration issue and they didn't have another all-black model available. I finally settled for the red-black one. The customer care arrangements at the showroom again were nil. There wasn't even proper sitting arrangement. Being the dhanteras day, the extra crowd was expected at the showroom and they should've put more chairs inside the showroom, but it wasn't there and I spent a better part of my close to 2-3 hour stay there standing.


Keys in hand
Was a bit surprised to see that they were handing over the same tool-kit to all the customers irrespective of the bike he had bought - be it the NS or the platina. Everybody got the same tool kit, which wasn't a really good indication for me. My doubts were cleared the next day when I had to open the tool kit to tighten the RVM. The toolkit didn't have a spanner to tighten the RVM. I mean if the stock tool kit doesn't even have a tool to perform the most basic task on the bike - what else it is supposed to do? I've included a couple of extra spanners from my previous bike into the new kit.

The run in
As I said, I've done a little over 500 kms on the bike till now and I know that I've made the right decision. This is my third Pulsar in the last 11 years and I've done close to 1.8 lakh kilometers total on Pulsar. The 200NS feels unlike any other pulsar or Bajaj product that I've ridden. The chassis, the engine refinement, the handling, etc., are definitely a notch above and make the bike a perfect value for money product. I was eyeing the 200 Duke but that was 50K INR over my budget and the difference between both the bikes wasn't huge.

I am keeping the bike running at 5K rpm mark max in all the gears, with very occasional short bursts going till 7K. The bike is started with choke engaged during the first start in the morning and I make sure to warm it up for at least 3 minutes before taking it for a spin.

The low and mid range torque of the 200NS makes it a fun bike to ride in city and in traffic. The bike picks up the pace effortlessly even from 3.5K rpm mark in 6th gear, making it easy to ride in the traffic without having to change gears at short intervals.

The rigid chassis of the 200NS and the overall suspension setup makes it a sweet handler overall. Everyone here about the efficiency of the Eurogrip tyres, though I don't find them to be bad for everyday use unless you are pushing them hard. Though I haven't really tested them as I am not pushing the bike in the running in period.

Looks wise, the bike is getting enough head-turns and inquiries from random people on the road.

Positives:
1. Style.
2. Handling.
3. Value for money.
4. Power.
5. overall package.

Negatives
1. Feels a bit top heavy.
2. A little too tall for me (I am 5 feet 5 inches)
3. Would've preferred better turning radius.
4. Better tyres (already taken care of, new bikes are coming with MRF).

Bajaj service center is closed on Saturdays! What is the logic behind it? You are overloading your staff on Sundays, which means the mechanics would be forced to not give enough time to a bike, which would result in bad service. The brand takes a beating! WHY?

Can't they adopt some sort of rotating week off policy for their staff?

Can you guys confirm if the Bajaj SVC is closed in your city on a weekend?

Sent from my SM-G900H using xBhp Connect mobile app

Here's the tyre I am talking about. Apparently someone on xBhp has already installed the CEAT Zoom on his Pulsar 200NS



The H-rated tyre apparently can handle speeds in excess of 200 kmph.

Here's the tyre I am talking about. Apparently someone on xBhp has already installed the CEAT Zoom on his Pulsar 200NS

Here's the tyre I am talking about. Apparently someone on xBhp has already installed the CEAT Zoom on his Pulsar 200NS



The H-rated tyre apparently can handle speeds in excess of 200 kmph.

Just saw the tyre in the ceat store. Maximum load 300kg. Top speed - 210kmph. Price 3300. Also saw Michelin Pilot Sporty. Maximum load 290 kgs. Top speed 230kmph. Price 3600.

But what's the use? The bike doesn't go beyond 150.

Get Michelin pilot for the front and mrf revz for the rear. Lots of guys gave awesome reviews for this combo. It works well this way.
The tyres having a top speed of 210 or so are high speed tyres and thus recommended for any bike that goes over 120kmph. In general the stock tyres on a 150cc bike are low speed and can handle speeds upto 130-140kmph but the bike goes as fast as 100-110kmph. What I am saying is that it is a measure of max speed and as such its not useless for the bike but in fact they run well within said range. The combo is good for NS and duke 200,390. Check it out.

Michelin Pilot what? Sport, Street, Street radial, Sirac, Road, Road 2, Road 3, Road 4? Which one are you talking about? What size? Unless you mention the details, partial information is useless.

Belated best wishes your NS.
You can also consider the MRF Revz-Y - 140/60R17, this is the tire used on FZv2.

I have it on my NS for around 5K KMS and its a lovely tire, its good in wet and dry but a prone to punctures. I've had 2 thus far.
You will find your ride height lowered a bit and tad less speed for a given RPM.
My bike now shows 70KMPH at 5K RPM in 6th gear as opposed to 71-72 on stock tires.

Cheers

Here's the tyre I am talking about. Apparently someone on xBhp has already installed the CEAT Zoom on his Pulsar 200NS



The H-rated tyre apparently can handle speeds in excess of 200 kmph.

Get Michelin pilot for the front and mrf revz for the rear. Lots of guys gave awesome reviews for this combo. It works well this way.
The tyres having a top speed of 210 or so are high speed tyres and thus recommended for any bike that goes over 120kmph. In general the stock tyres on a 150cc bike are low speed and can handle speeds upto 130-140kmph but the bike goes as fast as 100-110kmph. What I am saying is that it is a measure of max speed and as such its not useless for the bike but in fact they run well within said range. The combo is good for NS and duke 200,390. Check it out.

Bro you may not feel it, but 140/60 is a wrong spec for 200NS' chassis n build. Im guessing you're not into high speed leaning, cornering or else you'd run into problems with this tyre im sure.

It's gonna be 2 years since I set my eyes and my butt on my brand new "Faithful" :P Got delivery of my NS on 14th Dec 2012 but every time I settle into the saddle, smoothly (and gently cuz of the genetic Pulsar gear issues) slot the bike into first...and gradually rev the throttle, it feels as exciting as the very first day that I got it...

There are a few niggles here & there but I think with the right adjustments / small mods, these can be taken care of.

Don't know if anyone else faces this issue I have been. After rides, even small ones of about 4-5 kms (distance between my home & office) the fleshy parts of my palm pain. Tried putting a grip (the hard one which cost me 150/- ) but the pains didn't go away. A couple of days ago, I replaced the grips to the soft sponge ones for 40/-

Not sure if it's cuz of the insulation of vibrations that the sponge helps with but my pain has actually reduced since then. Also feels more "beefy" to hold the grips now. Vibrations are still there but the feel of the bike is better now.

Am sure with my gloves on, it should feel even better. Should know after a short weekend ride outta Mumbai tomorrow

Sorry if this has been discussed earlier but just posting my experience / observations

It's gonna be 2 years since I set my eyes and my butt on my brand new "Faithful" :P Got delivery of my NS on 14th Dec 2012 but every time I settle into the saddle, smoothly (and gently cuz of the genetic Pulsar gear issues) slot the bike into first...and gradually rev the throttle, it feels as exciting as the very first day that I got it...

There are a few niggles here & there but I think with the right adjustments / small mods, these can be taken care of.

Don't know if anyone else faces this issue I have been. After rides, even small ones of about 4-5 kms (distance between my home & office) the fleshy parts of my palm pain. Tried putting a grip (the hard one which cost me 150/- ) but the pains didn't go away. A couple of days ago, I replaced the grips to the soft sponge ones for 40/-

Not sure if it's cuz of the insulation of vibrations that the sponge helps with but my pain has actually reduced since then. Also feels more "beefy" to hold the grips now. Vibrations are still there but the feel of the bike is better now.

Am sure with my gloves on, it should feel even better. Should know after a short weekend ride outta Mumbai tomorrow

Sorry if this has been discussed earlier but just posting my experience / observations

Those notoriously uncomfortable pulsar craps....oops..... I mean grips are to blame bro. I don't understand why Bajaj had to go and give acupuncture therapy to all their customer's palms. But I guess a thin soft layer of spongy grips will help.