Bikes have established deep roots in the Nepalese market where they have become the staple means of private transportation. While a good portion of the Nepali populace relies on public transportation like buses, those who prefer to have their own means of transportation whenever they want can opt to look for a motorcycle. They are generally affordable, reliable, durable and get the job done; oftentimes better than most public transportation services. These characteristics combined with their popularity have made them heavily sought after in the Nepali market. In today’s age in Nepal, it’s next to impossible to not see someone riding a motorcycle on the streets of any city. After all, having a vehicle to travel anywhere you want any time you want makes life so much easier.
If you are looking for a good motorcycle to invest in, then look no further than the Bajaj Pulsar NS 200. Coming from an already well-known brand, Bajaj, the Bajaj Pulsar NS 200 is a sports bike. Prior to its release in Nepal, the bike was actually known as 200 NS and launched in 2012. It was discontinued and then relaunched later in 2017 as NS 200 once further improvements were made. Being a sports bike, it has a lot to offer with its price point of about Rs.3,50,000.
The Bajaj Pulsar NS 200 features a solid body shape to reinforce its sporty appearance. In a place like Nepal where standards and cruisers are common, this sports bike will ensure that you stand out from the crowd. It comes in three different colour schemes to choose from: black, red and white, all of which are fairly common and well-received by consumers. It has a very aerodynamic body to reduce air drag while travelling at very high speeds. This prevents fatigue and discomfort when riding at high speeds for a long time and also improves stability. You won’t have to hold onto the handlebars tightly or tuck down for an extended period of time to reduce the effect of air drag. Additionally, it can also improve fuel efficiency since the bike doesn’t need to expend as much fuel to fight the air drag. Since appearances aren’t everything, let’s have a look at what functionality the Bajaj Pulsar NS 200 has to offer.
Starting off with specifications, let’s have a look at an overview of Bajaj Pulsar NS 200.
Engine
Type: 4-stroke, SOHC 4-Valve, Liquid-cooled, Triple Spark, FI DTS-i Engine
Displacement: 199.5 cc
Max power: 18 kW (24.5 PS) @ 9750 rpm
Max torque(Nm @ rpm): 18.5 @ 8000
Suspension
Front: Telescopic with Anti-friction Bush
Rear: Nitrox-charged mono-shock absorber with Canister
Brakes
Front: Single Channel ABS 300 mm Disc
Rear: 230 mm Disc
Tires
Front tire size: 100/80-17
Rear tire size: 130/70-17
Tire type: Tubeless
Front wheel size: 431.8 mm
Rear wheel size: 431.8 mm
Wheel type: Alloy
Electricals
System: 12V Full DC MF
Headlamp: H4 Blue Tinge (12V 55/60W), With AHO (Auto Headlamps On)
Low beam lights: 55 W
High beam lights: 60 W
Taillight: LED
Battery capacity: 12 V
Dimensions
Length (mm): 2017
Width (mm): 804
Height (mm): 1075
Ground clearance (mm): 168
Wheelbase (mm): 1363
Kerb Weight (kg): 156
Fuel tank capacity: 12 L
Mileage: 35km/L
Console
The console features a digital speedometer, odometer and trip meter. All of which makes it easy to read at just a quick glance and carry on with riding with proper attention to the road. It also has an analogue tachometer, time indicator and a fuel gauge for added readings.
Headlights
It uses 12V full DC headlights with the auto-headlights on. AHO will automatically turn on when it detects that the surrounding lighting isn’t enough and you can change the settings to modify it to your preference. Naturally, it also comes with low beam and high beam headlights for different driving conditions.
Tires
The tires on this bike are tubeless which provides a myriad of advantages. First off, since there is no tube, to begin with, the tube can’t get pinched between the tyre wall and the rim to cause a puncture. While driving at lower air pressure is a dangerous activity, tubeless tires are more resistant to the risk. They are also lighter, don’t cause inherent friction and improve stability at high speeds. In the case of a puncture, the liquid sealant present inside them can seal the hole and generally the air will escape more slowly as well. This will give you enough time to pull up to the side of the road safely. The only downside to tubeless tires is that they are harder to fit, repair and more expensive.
Seating
The bike uses a step-up split seating. This type of seat compared to conventional seats offer better comfort for both the driver and passenger while driving for an extended period of time.
Single-channel ABS
The single-channel ABS front wheel prevents the bike’s wheels from locking in the event of hard braking. Moreover, it helps in other ways by offering steady traction across different terrain, slippery road and prevents skidding so that you can keep on driving without a fear in the world knowing you have a reliable bike.
Suspension
The suspension present on this bike minimizes interference from bumps in uneven and unfriendly terrain. This makes it easier for you to traverse challenging terrain easily with a superior high-performance suspension.
Fuel Injection engine
One of the biggest aspects of this bike is its FI engine. The conventional engines in Nepal use carburettors for combustion in engines. In simple terms, a carburetor mixes air-fuel in a preset ratio which is sent to the engine for combustion regardless of any external factors, whereas in fuel injection, factors like terrain and speed are taken into account and fuel is delivered respectively. FIs are better in every way than carburettors. Be it fuel economy, durability, performance, or emission, FI outperforms the carburettor at everything. The only argument one can make is that it’s expensive, but in the long run, you’ll save more money since they also last longer.
Our neighbouring country, India adopted the BS-VI emission standard in 2020 which is a similar version of the European Emission Standard, Euro 6. Contrary to this, our emission standard is still based on Euro-3 which was implemented in 2000 in Europe and implemented here after 12 years. While there aren’t any significant plans to change our emission standard which will force consumers to change their vehicles as well, it’s still a good idea to get acquainted with FI engines. Ultimately, you’re doing everyone a favour by switching to a more eco-friendly engine and also getting better value out of it for yourself.
Repair cost
While having a motorcycle is useful and all, there is also a cost for upkeep. Simply purchasing a motorcycle isn’t enough, it will need regular servicing to ensure that it works as best as it can. A motorcycle in a good condition will ensure good performance, fuel efficiency as well as safety. If you are worried about the servicing cost of your NS200 after you own it, there isn’t a significant difference in repair cost. The usual stuff like oil changes, refuelling, oil filter, air filter and so on cost about the same if you were to change it on a low-end motorcycle. Since NS200 is also durable, you won’t be needing as many frequent repairs compared to a cheaper and lower quality motorcycle.
Additional modification
One of the best parts about a motorcycle is modification. The freedom to customize your bike the way you wish is a very exciting prospect. Naturally, NS200 doesn’t restrict you from exploring opportunities for modification. You can install fairings for more aerodynamic properties, waterproof speakers for entertainment, change seats, apply for new paint jobs, install windscreens, tires for different terrain, LED lights for better appeal, and the ever-so controversial exhaust to improve the sound.
Resale value
If for some reason, you decide to sell your bike, you also need to consider its resale value. As with most vehicles, it depends on the condition of the bike itself and when you bought it. Since Bajaj NS200 is still a popular bike and launched here about a year ago, you can expect to get good resale value for it. Below 6 months, you can expect a 5% depreciation rate; between 6 months and a year, you can expect 15%; between 1-2 years, you can expect 20% and between 2-3 years, you can expect 30%. This is the average depreciation rate for motorcycles although it also matters on how well you can sell it and on the person who’s buying it.
