Bajaj has brought its Pulsar sportsbikes a long way. It started over a decade ago, when Autocar India tests of the first-gen Pulsar saw us grumbling about heavy handling and imprecise gear shifting on these early bikes. A tipping point came quickly though, with the twin-plug engine or DTS-i-equipped Pulsars, that breathed fresh life into the series as well as our relationship with Bajaj. Thereon, smaller wheels made the Pulsars nimbler, from where, there has been no looking back as newer models soared higher, making these the sportsbikes of choice for the masses.

Which brings us to the new RS 200 the Pulsar Bajaj spent plenty of time perfecting before placing in dealerships. It’s been worth the wait, for the RS is a thoroughly developed bike, apparent from the instant you thumb the starter. Yes, this Bajaj offers a more refined, and smoother engine than the KTM RC 200 it goes up against. The feel-good factor is all the more apparent should you be lucky to get around a race track on the Pulsar. Here’s where the Pulsar RS 200 really tells you how far Bajaj has come.