Bajaj Auto, with the help of Mattighofen-based sportsbike manufacturer – KTM – has developed its new 200cc Pulsar called the RS 200. The motorcycle is fully faired, and is rumored to have the same engine as the Pulsar 200 NS. Bajaj will launch the new Pulsar RS 200 on the March 26 in Mumbai. We take a closer look at the bike and compare it to rivals – the KTM RC200 and the Honda CBR 250R – on paper.

Displacement

All the motorcycles in the comparison make use of single-cylinder, four-stroke and liquid-cooled engine. While we are aware that the Pulsar RS 200 and the RC200 use the same 199.5cc engines, jointly developed by Bajaj and KTM, the difference is that KTM uses a single spark plug to start its engine, and the Pulsar uses three. The Honda CBR 250R definitely has a displacement advantage over the rest, with its engine developing 249cc, about 50cc more than the rest.

Power

The Honda CBR 250R makes 26bhp at an early 8,500rpm, clearly at the top, but the smaller capacity KTM RC200 makes 24.7bhp at 10,000rpm, which is achieved rather quickly, close to the larger CBR. The Pulsar RS 200 is close, producing 24.2bhp at 9,750rpm.

Torque

The CBR 250R makes the maximum torque of 2.3kgm at 7,000rpm. The KTM RC200 and the Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 make the same amount of torque – 1.9kgm at 8,000rpm.

Suspension

KTM has given the RC200 upmarket USD forks up front and a monoshock does duty at rear. The Honda CBR 250R and the Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 use conventional telescopic forks upfront and a standard monoshock at rear. This setup also does its duty well on the two bikes.