Bajaj Pulsar 200

[primero]

Hi Guys, I've searched the web, however there are no proper reviews on the Bajaj Pulsar 200, if there were any like the ones I found, they mostly came from India, and to be honest, some of their slang doesn't really connect with us in Singapore.

 

So here it is, I'll try to keep it up to date as I collected my bike yesterday (15/8/09 SAT)

 

I've attached a picture, but below are my personal views on the bike, you can choose not to read them if you like and just see the pic. Or enjoy reading!

 

Brief history of my rides: Yamaha Diversion 900, Yamaha 750 (The Old TP bike used by TP), Honda CB750 (The Old Military Bike), Suzuki GSX-R SRAD 750 (ugly 1997 version), Honda Super 4 Spec 1 (ugly ass exhaust type), Honda Wave S (wah.. S sia...), then Finally Bajaj Pulsar 200.

 

First thing when you hear about BAJAJ, you start wondering, is it reliable originating from INDIA? I know I know, everyone will say Japanese Brands of bikes have been around for ages and are freaking reliable, that I won't deny. My main priority right now is to find out for myself, whether this bike can make it in Singapore. So being open minded, I decided to shelve out the payments and help fellow riders/singaporeans with giving them more info about this bike. On with the review! (I downed 1.5k, 3yrs of 150 a month, you do the math, insurance is 300, road tax standard as it is a 2B bike)

 

LOOKS: 1st thing, 3 colours to choose from and I got mine at Universal Motors, Black, Red or Blue. I took Black cause of my preference but to be honest, the other 2 colours aren't that bad as well, its just a matter of your own taste. The 1st thing you'll notice about the bike are the twin LED rear vertical brake lights, you can't deny that they look kind of cool and they do their job. The seats are separated like Honda NSR's but the quality isn't really proper, meaning the covers of the seats feel cheap... There's even handle grabs for the rear pillion, but they are very small and only give the bike a cool look, not really functional cause MAN hands like mine can't really grab them (I tried), even a girl would have/had problems grabbing them (again I got a girl and asked her to try) so you're better off with a rear box to let the pillion rest his/her back on.

 

Taking out the seats are a pain in the ass, not that bad though but cumbersome, you have to unlock a panel using your key at the left side of the rider's seat, pull a panel off and then, amazingly, there are 2 cables to pull, one for the rider, the other for the pillion's seat, there is only space to put a small tool kit which was provided by BAJAJ, and maybe parking coupons. But you're better off not putting it there cause IT IS stupid and troublesome to try to get to your coupons opening the panel, pulling the cables etc etc etc...... Haiz... Plus unlike a SUPER FOUR or WAVE, the storage space under the seats are of a ''CLOSED'' concept, meaning nothing would fall through the bike if you stored stuff there. However for the BAJAJ PULSAR 200, if you were to put coupons inside the pillion seat for example, they would most likely fall through while riding as there are openings which even allow you to see the tyres, so not safe to put anything there actually.

 

The muffler looks wise, isn't any aftermarket cool pipe, but its presentable, and please let me know IF there are any aftermarket exhausts, I certainly would like to try them, but as for the stock version, it'll do just fine actually, no worries or bad points about that.

 

The display panel of the bike where the odometer, fuel gauge (electronic ah kinda of cool) mileage all are easily readable and the backlight came in ORANGE. And there is a cool white light behind all your small little icons around the starter button, signal light etc etc, really looks nice at night

 

There are 2 small front tank fairings at each side of the tank near the logos, gives it a street fighter effect, much cooler than the YBR but there are definitely better looking ones on some SUPER FOURS I've seen while riding, again no complaints.

 

Oh yah, they installed crash bars at the side around the engine block due to my request as its a new bike, prevention is better than cure eh, they don't look like the big ugly stupid ones you get in riding schools as they are smaller and blend in with the bike, but it would definitely look way cooler without them.

 

Rims are 5 spoked, black, nice, but would like to find other 3 spoke rims to make the bike look sportier though... Any recommendations? Tyres, some funky Indian brand which I'll run in then get proper Bridgestone ones, the guy said they'd cost around 180 for a pair.. Not that bad, but hopefully we all could find cheaper ones eh..

 

Suspension at the rear is twin, black. Nothing special, AFTERMARKETS here I come again... Front suspension again nothing special.

 

Overall, I definitely would say, leaving it stock does the rider no harm, affecting his/her coolness level, but its up to you really what you do with the looks, adding small nick nacks here and there. Mine's a project that will take time.

 

Next post will be on the riding, mileage, and if any (pray to GOD) problems..

 

Any questions?

[Pongg51]

Great first hand review bro, thanks for sharing

[kmjoe]

any pics of ur ride?

[primero]

I'll try to upload pics of my own bike sans number plate.

 

But in the meantime, here are some links of them, cause trust me, all of them are the same.

 

Black Pulsar with wierd side frames for boxes >> http://trisetiyanto.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/pulsar200.jpg

 

Blue Pulsar (Official Pic) >>

http://www.priceindia.in/bike/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/bajaj-pulsar-200-cc.jpg

[primero]

For a full review of how the bike handles/rides/feels, sorry for the delay but let me either run it in first (3000kms..... sianz... at 70kmph.. feels like I'm a snail) or you could enjoy the brief review after completing the 1st full tank of petrol in another 3 or 4 days (I ride an average 50kms per day due to work and outings, so it should be quite quick)

[primero]

Finally guys, I finished one full tank of Petrol. Here's the bike specs and review, hope you find it useful! The following data is from the official manual that comes with the bike.

 

BAJAJ pulsar DTS-i 200

Engine : 4 stroke single cyl, natural air cooled

Bore x Stroke : 67.00mm x 56.4mm

Engine Displacement : 198.8cc

Transmission : 5 speed.... ( yes.. not 6 )

Brakes : Front Hydraulic disc type, Rear drum brake

Fuel Capacity : 15L Full, Reserve 3.2L but 2L usable

Weight : 145kg Kerb Weight (???) 280 Gross Weight (??????)

Max Speed :130kmph

 

After finishing a full tank of petrol (Ron 95) i managed to clock 685km before the engine died and I had to turn the valve to reserve, allowing me to ride another 4km++ to the nearest petrol kiosk as I didn't dare test to see how much further it would go. But according to calculations 685 divided by 15L = 45 (rounded off) which is quite impressive for this class 2B bike, now that kiasu info is out of the way. Next Box is on the HANDLING!

[primero]

HANDLING:

 

First thing you notice when you get on the bike is how light it is for a class 2B bike, it isn't a feather weight but more of a fat pigeon weight

 

Starting the engine for the 1st time, you hear sort of a knocking sound ( can't be that good right ) but after a while it disappears after the engine warms up

 

Getting on, you clutch in and to your surprise, when kicking down on the 1st gear, there's a loud CLUNK, and it felt like as if I was riding a Cheap Class 2 Bike or either something was wrong with the gears, but again to be fair, it was at 0.3km and a day old bike.

 

Riding off you feel the smoothness of the engine, although there was the initial lack of power (can't ask much from a 2B bike anyway) it was like a mini super 4. CLUNKING through the gears felt normal, only small thing was the CLUNKING the gears made when I shifted through them (again, its a new bike). The thing was after a week of riding it though, there seemed to be alot of knocking noises coming from the engine, minus the loud CLUNKING sounds though... hmmm...

 

This bike definitely needs a steering damper because getting off from red lights seemed like a circus act, I had to literally hold, on control the handle bars like as if it was a semi mad cow. Its not uncontrollable, but as a rider, you would like to feel something stable within the handling to feel safer. Letting go of the handle bars while going down a straight road did allow me though to wave to the crowd with both hands haha. Don't even talk about corners, the BAJAJ PULSAR takes corners like a man about to get high, not drunk yet, just high. It could have just been the new tyres, but I've ridden a HONDA WAVE before, and it takes corners way better than my BAJAJ PULSAR.

 

Brakes are good and solid, nothing to complain about, except that after a while, the rear drum brake tends to give that "SQUEEEK" sound, like I just ran over a very small rat, but that usually happens prior to a short warm up ride of about 5-10mins. Suppose the brakes need to warm up too.

 

Engine performance is average, I wouldn't say its weak, neither strong. Just a daily work horse. I would say that the pick up power is kind of weak, but as the gears roll on and you CLUNK again (haha) to a higher gear, the bike rolls without much of a problem. Overall theres a slight lack of power, but hey its only 750kms old and yet to be run in.

 

Since the engine is oil and naturally cooled by the wind when you ride, it doesn't feel hot until you stop at a red light, and then slowly the heat starts to spread up to your head, thats right, you feel the heat which is bearable, but after riding long distances with the bike, you'll start to wish that you were on the move and not stopping at red lights. Again to be fair, its not unbearable, tolerant yes, annoying slightly, but at night there's no problem at all. Could be just our bloody Singapore weather eh?

 

OVERALL: This bike is very good for fuel saving, and plus it looks kind of cool especially with the rear LED lights. Handling is slightly wobbly but nothing a steering damper couldn't fix.

 

If you're looking to save money, just passed your licence and want a pretty cool naked bike, then this is for you. A rear box is definitely a must as there is no storage space.

 

+ points

Looks Good especially at the rear

Saves money on fuel, 45km per litre!!

Low maintenance due to only regular engine oil and spark plug changes as its oil cooled

 

- points

Handling

Lack of storage space

Indian made bike, so you may have some distrust about it and may want to stick to Jap engines

Rear Box brackets can only be fixed at BAJAJ dealers or at places where they have the special bracket extenders for the bike....

Edited September 22, 2009 by primero

[CoolieND]

One quick note: Bajaj is stopping production of the Bajaj 200cc, as they've just released a new 220cc model to replace it. They're still making the 180, though this is one less 2B choice. So, if you want a new Pulsar 200, better get it quick...

[lindavw]

we have a bajaj thread in naked bikes section. u may wish to visit the thread n post there instead?

we have range of riders in there riding both 180 pulsar n avenger n pulsar 200.

thanks

[mjbs64]

I'll try to upload pics of my own bike sans number plate.

 

But in the meantime, here are some links of them, cause trust me, all of them are the same.

 

Black Pulsar with wierd side frames for boxes >> http://trisetiyanto.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/pulsar200.jpg

 

Blue Pulsar (Official Pic) >>

http://www.priceindia.in/bike/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/bajaj-pulsar-200-cc.jpg

 

hi bro .. fyi the 'weird side frames' are not for side boxes but it's a leg guard for pillion wearing sarees

 

http://nitawriter.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/navvari-motor-cycle.jpg

 

btw .. i'm mjbs64 member of SBT (Singapore Bajaj Team)

 

Please do visit our threads here as mentioned by our Pulsar Doc aka lindavw .. lol

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188463&page=212

 

We WELCOME you !!!

 

Optimus Prime: Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing.

Transformers:Revenge of the Fallen

Edited August 26, 2009 by mjbs64

[primero]

thats so freaking wierd hahaha, omg, see it was a ''wierd'' side box thingy, the wierd being correct, side too, but not for a box eh, guess I was wrong.

[mjbs64]

thats so freaking wierd hahaha, omg, see it was a ''wierd'' side box thingy, the wierd being correct, side too, but not for a box eh, guess I was wrong.

 

yeah ... very 'wierd' indeed but it make us to think whether it's practical or not hehe .. different culture though!

 

btw... have you visited us here?

[Ahlan-Arah]

Hey i've read the post about Bajaj Pulsar and i'm interested with it. So can i know how much does Bajaj Pulsar firsthand roughly cost? My dad said Bajaj Pulsar DTSi maintanance and petrol is affordable. Is it true?

[primero]

(I downed 1.5k, 3yrs of 150 a month, you do the math, insurance is 300, road tax standard as it is a 2B bike)

[primero]

yeah ... very 'wierd' indeed but it make us to think whether it's practical or not hehe .. different culture though!

 

btw... have you visited us here?

 

Definitely not practical, who sits sideways like that? haha, unless you want to kena from TP or die early.

 

Anyway, nope haven't visited you guys there, what's the link?

[Ahlan-Arah]

I see. Thanks dude.

[primero]

Hi guys, managed to run in my bike, now its close to 3000kms.

 

Sadly here are the main problems I've faced with the bike so far

 

1. My throttle cable loosened by itself after 2100 and even though I clutched in, the revs went up 4000rpm. Had to go back to Bajaj to fix it. F.O.C though

2. Bike engine didn't start after riding for a while and it was on a very mutha fxxxing hot day. Managed to start it after letting it cool down (10mins....)

3. Engine feels like as if its gonna commit suicide after passing a speed of 85kmph...

[kano]

Hi guys, managed to run in my bike, now its close to 3000kms.

 

Sadly here are the main problems I've faced with the bike so far

 

1. My throttle cable loosened by itself after 2100 and even though I clutched in, the revs went up 4000rpm. Had to go back to Bajaj to fix it. F.O.C though

2. Bike engine didn't start after riding for a while and it was on a very mutha fxxxing hot day. Managed to start it after letting it cool down (10mins....)

3. Engine feels like as if its gonna commit suicide after passing a speed of 85kmph...

 

 

I agree the pulsar dies a while after riding on a bloody hot day like no petrol like that.

my ex 180 and my friend P200 also encountered this problem

then need the bike to cool down and start again

this take a while...

need to inform bajaj abt this issue.

[cookie_monster]

Hi guys, managed to run in my bike, now its close to 3000kms.

 

Sadly here are the main problems I've faced with the bike so far

 

1. My throttle cable loosened by itself after 2100 and even though I clutched in, the revs went up 4000rpm. Had to go back to Bajaj to fix it. F.O.C though

2. Bike engine didn't start after riding for a while and it was on a very mutha fxxxing hot day. Managed to start it after letting it cool down (10mins....)

3. Engine feels like as if its gonna commit suicide after passing a speed of 85kmph...

 

bro, pulsar is well known for its fantastic fc, but e down side is e tough vibration after 80k n slippy stock tyre. These issue can easily b resolved.... visit e SBT thread under naked bikes to find out more.

 

wise choice :thumb:

[stsoh]

I agree the pulsar dies a while after riding on a bloody hot day like no petrol like that.

my ex 180 and my friend P200 also encountered this problem

then need the bike to cool down and start again

this take a while...

need to inform bajaj abt this issue.

running too lean will coz engine to overheat, simple solution is to set carb richer.

saving fc in short term but in long term will burn up ur engine.

richer tuned carb, engine will run with better performance n cooler.

 

u need to tune your carb to have a air/fuel mix ratio in term of weights, 14.7 wt of air : 1 wt of fuel.

for a 200cc 4-stroke single piston 2-valves engine, ur avg should be around 28~30 km/l.

 

to resolve vibration issue:

change your sprocket ratio, eg: use one tooth bigger front sprocket from ur stock.

if vib still too much try reduce rear sprocket by two teeth from stock.

Edited September 29, 2009 by stsoh

[joajas]

My $0.02 on pulsar bike based on my P180 which I sold sometime back.

 

The fuel savings is not worth it. Whatever savings I had from fuel consumption went back into repair and replacement of sub standard parts. That is what made me sold the bike in the end (even though most of the issues had been rectified), before new issues arises. If Bajaj could at least use some decent quality parts, Pulsar would have been a great bike.

 

At the moment I still think there are quality issues they need to solve first. There is not point in developing bigger and bigger bikes when there is no proper quality control and no decent quality parts.

 

The ride itself is ok, vibrations are typical in this kind of bikes. It is light and nimble. Power is ok without pillion.

 

For those wanting to get this bike, you have to accept that fact that you might need to get back to Universal countless times to rectify those nitty gritty issues. My past experience is that, going back bi-weekly on the average is not uncommon.

 

[stsoh]

running too lean will coz engine to overheat, simple solution is to set carb richer.

saving fc in short term but in long term will burn up ur engine.

richer tuned carb, engine will run with better performance n cooler.

 

u need to tune your carb to have a air/fuel mix ratio in term of weights, 14.7 wt of air : 1 wt of fuel.

for a 200cc 4-stroke single piston 2-valves engine, ur avg should be around 28~30 km/l.

 

to resolve vibration issue:

change your sprocket ratio, eg: use one tooth bigger front sprocket from ur stock.

if vib still too much try reduce rear sprocket by two teeth from stock.

 

Add-on:

 

Troubleshooting

 

A lean condition is the end result of too little fuel and too much air. Slightly lean conditions create drivability problems. Worst-case scenario: Lean conditions can and do destroy engines. Holes in the pistons, burnt valves and trashed main bearings are the direct result of lean mixtures.

 

Rich mixtures are the end result of too much fuel and too little air. Rich mixtures waste fuel, contribute to carbon buildup and pollute the air.

 

Typical Lean Conditions:

- Poor acceleration; the engine feels flat.

 

- The engine won't respond when the throttle is snapped open, but it picks up speed as the throttle is closed. (A too-large main jet also mimics this symptom.)

 

- The engine runs hot, knocks, pings and overheats.

 

- The engine surges or hunts when cruising at part-throttle.

 

- Popping or spitting through the carb occurs when the throttle is opened. Or popping and spitting occurs through the pipe on deceleration with a closed throttle.

 

- The engine runs better in warm weather, worse in cool.

 

- Performance gets worse when the air filter is removed.

 

 

Typical Rich Conditions

- Engine acceleration is flat and uneven and loses that "crisp" feel.

 

- The engine "eight-strokes" as it loads up and skips combustion cycles.

 

- The engine's idle is rough or lumpy, and the engine won't return to idle without "blipping" the throttle.

 

- The throttle needs to be open continuously to maintain acceleration.

 

- Black, sooty plugs, a sooty exhaust pipe and black smoke from the tailpipe that stinks of unburned fuel.

 

- Poor fuel economy.

 

- The engine works better when cold. Performance falls off as it warms up or the ambient temperature rises.

 

- Engine performance improves when the air cleaner is removed.

[viewpanel]

My $0.02 on pulsar bike based on my P180 which I sold sometime back.

 

The fuel savings is not worth it. Whatever savings I had from fuel consumption went back into repair and replacement of sub standard parts. That is what made me sold the bike in the end (even though most of the issues had been rectified), before new issues arises. If Bajaj could at least use some decent quality parts, Pulsar would have been a great bike.

 

At the moment I still think there are quality issues they need to solve first. There is not point in developing bigger and bigger bikes when there is no proper quality control and no decent quality parts.

 

The ride itself is ok, vibrations are typical in this kind of bikes. It is light and nimble. Power is ok without pillion.

 

For those wanting to get this bike, you have to accept that fact that you might need to get back to Universal countless times to rectify those nitty gritty issues. My past experience is that, going back bi-weekly on the average is not uncommon.

 

 

hmm... Guess diff ppl having diff perspective bout pulsar... FYI i am riding a pulsar 180.

 

As per ur case of going back UM bi-weekly, I would only say that maybe u r the unlucky one... cos no matter u r buying car, bike, or even electrical appliances... there r always bound to have some problematic product... I have been running my pulsar around for a year already... (note: this is a second hand bike) and i haven't encounter any issue b4 wif my bike... I run an average of about 70-80 km per day, and will go for occasionally touring running at 115km/h for few hours straight. All I can say is, according to the mech...

1.) this pulsar is a unique bike.. Dun use synthetic engine oil, as India r used to using mineral oil. Mineral oil in fact perform better than fully synthetic.

 

2.) Try using 92 or 95 petrol. In india the petrol quality arn't that great. Thus they have develop an engine that runs better wif lower quality fuel. I dun believe this either at first. Try it n u wil see the different. Also V-Power will cost ur bike diaphram to harden.

 

3.) This bike is actually built to be able to sustain heavy weight wif more pillion but lower speed. The fc will only be better if u dun always travel 90+

 

4.) Actually I still that pulsar will be a great bike afterall as I am very satisfied with my bike and a growing number of Pulsar riders on the road. Pulsar has go a long way from their first version pulsar. (UG1)

[jester1989]

so i am riding a friend's piaggio skipper, but i'm tinking of buying a pulsar for this year, next yr my fren selling me his supa4 after i get class 2A. since i tink only 1yr, 2nd hand should adequately suffice, although only you guys would know better.

 

btw, what are some questions i should ask the owner/shopuncle b4 i make the purchase?

 

i really am a bike noob who has just enter the world of motorcycles.

[nullifi3d]

My $0.02 on pulsar bike based on my P180 which I sold sometime back.

 

The fuel savings is not worth it. Whatever savings I had from fuel consumption went back into repair and replacement of sub standard parts. That is what made me sold the bike in the end (even though most of the issues had been rectified), before new issues arises. If Bajaj could at least use some decent quality parts, Pulsar would have been a great bike.

 

At the moment I still think there are quality issues they need to solve first. There is not point in developing bigger and bigger bikes when there is no proper quality control and no decent quality parts.

 

The ride itself is ok, vibrations are typical in this kind of bikes. It is light and nimble. Power is ok without pillion.

 

For those wanting to get this bike, you have to accept that fact that you might need to get back to Universal countless times to rectify those nitty gritty issues. My past experience is that, going back bi-weekly on the average is not uncommon.

 

 

Ditto. I thought i had the ultimate 2B bike but sadly my experience with pulsars has left me wanting to stick with japanese bikes.

 

The amount i spend on the pulsar to get it working as it should would have bought me a decent end can on my current super4, plus another $400 in mods.

 

It could be that i'm unlucky, but then again, i bought a 7yr old japanese bike which performs even better then my then 2yr old pulsar. Maybe in time the quality will improve but till then i'll recommend newbies to "tahan" with either the jap kup kias or plunge into the FZ150i by Yamaha or their YBRs.