Reference Auto

Hero Honda is clearly the leader in the Indian bike market even though its share is slipping below the 50 per cent-mark, and now with Bajaj unveiling a new model under its Pulsar series christened the Pulsar 200 NS, an economically-priced sports bike, will it be able to drain the market share of Hero Honda further?

After all, the Pulsar 200 NS is undoubtedly one of the finest sports bikes which will be within the reach of the middle class. It will be commercially available in around three months.

An upbeat Bajaj Auto managing director Rajiv Bajaj averred, “The Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS is the best sports bike for the middle class. It will be commercially launched from start of the next fiscal through our 600 dealers in the country. The price will most likely be lower than Rs 1 lakh.”

The model is expected to have cutting-edge engine which sets new standards in performance, emission as well as fuel efficiency, Bajaj Auto’s chief technology officer Abraham Joseph said.

The engine of this new Pulsar will be based on the 200 cc mill from the KTM 200 Duke. The engine will be liquid cooled SOHC using not two (surprise!) but three spark plugs – Digital Triple Spark ignition is what they term it, claiming it to be the first in the world.

The company also unwrapped its triple spark technology. “You can hope for some more triple spark motorcycle roll outs this year,” Bajaj added.

The engine of the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS is capable of 23.5 PS@9,500 rpm and 18.3 Nm@8,000 rpm, indicating low-down performance, which is a plus.

However, the fuel capacity is only 12 litres. The bike maker claims a fuel economy of 58 kms to a litre. So, with a full tank, the Pulsar 200 NS can travel only 696 kms. The bike weighs 145 kg, which is a tad heavy.

Production of the new Pulsar 200 NS will begin at Bajaj’s Chakan plant. There were more surprises in store. “We are also planning to launch a gigantic Pulsar next year,” Bajaj further said.

Bajaj revealed that growth for the two-wheeler industry would be 2-3 per cent this quarter. “This annual growth for the industry is likely to be only 10 per cent,” he said.

With its economic pricing (below Rs 1 lakh), which is a steal for a sports bike, Bajaj will surely get a big chance to erode the market share of Hero Honda to below 50 per cent in the near to medium term with the Pulsar 200 NS launch.