Jan 31, 2016 03:57 PM
4449 Views
(Updated Feb 01, 2016 05:39 PM)
I had an FZ 16 from Jan 2009 to Oct 2012. My need for a higher powered motorcycle prompted me to search for various options available. I finally decided on purchasing the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS. Its been 3 years and 5 months since I have owned my Cherry Black Pulsar 200 NS. At Rs 94, 000 on road price(Oct 2012 price in Thiruvananthapuram), it was value for money. Has style and power. Definitely a headturner.
Since its a Bajaj bike, you can expect all the nitty gritties that come along with it. Cost cutting is very evident e.g. screws and bolts used are of soft steel and the heads tend to lose its groves if not handled with proper set of tools; some parts might wear out faster. If Yamaha or Honda were to manufacture this bike, it would have cost well above Rs 1.5 lakhs.
I have been using it for my daily commute to and from office. And long distance trips where a breeze on my NS. The longest non-stop ride was for 280 kms. If properly manitained, the bike will return very good performance and service. I like getting my hands dirty, so general maintenance like oil change, chain cleaning and lubing, coolant change, bulb changes, rectifying minor issues are done on my own. I am using Motul 7100 20w50 engine oil. Bajaj DTSI oil is not up to the mark. In the city, the bike is very much flickable.
As this a performance bike, you will find the suspension to be a little hard even on the softest setting. You can handle the bike better at high speeds.
The engine is very stressed as it delivers 23.5 BHP from 200cc. Such power from a small cc unit causes much stress and hence, will reduce the life of the engine compared to lower powered engines with the same capacity.
NS is definitely not a learners bike. You can learn to ride on an FZ but not on an NS.
For servicing, you will definitely have to have it servived by mechanics who are trained to handle the NS. Else, your bike is doomed. NS does not tolerate bad mechanics. Most main service centres have mechanics for NS. But you need find out on your own which ones are the best.
The stock TVS Eurogrips tyre(read Euroslips) are not meant for the NS. These are hard compound ultra low grip tyres. Lasts long at the cost of grip. MRF Revz or Zapper, Michelin, Pirelli suits the NS. Fitting Eurogrips were a big mistake by Bajaj.
I face issues like engine vibrations at specific rpms, tick and squeaks from the body panels and the never ending, irritating vibrations from the speedometer console. But then nothing is perfect. I love my NS never the less. Be it commuting from and to office or ripping on the highway my NS has never let me down.
Overall, NS is a value for money, powerful, stylish, reliable motorcycle.
Its so sad that Bajaj discontinued the NS to make way for the AS and RS. Hope, Bajaj will relaunch the NS in a much improved avatar soon.
