Bajaj 400cc Bike Launch in December, Production Started

Bajaj Auto has announced that it has started production of its most powerful bike yet at its Chakan facility. The new motorcycle in question is the Bajaj Pulsar CS400 that was showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo in concept form, while some reports suggest that the bike will be christened the Kratos VS400. We will have to wait till mid-December for the official name to be announced as the bike will be launched in India next month. It’s a historic occasion for Bajaj Auto as it had launched the iconic Pulsar brand in our two-wheeler space in November 2001, exactly 15 years back.  Also, the first motorcycle batch was rolled off by an all-women assembly line, making the occasion even more special.  

The new motorcycle is an important bike for Bajaj Auto as it plans to kick-start a new segment of affordable power cruisers in India. According to Bajaj, there is a vacuum in the cruiser segment dominated by Royal Enfield offerings, and it feels that the new Pulsar CS400/Kratos VS400 can change that. The styling of the bike is inspired from the Ducati Diavel, while the fuel tank and headlight profile is similar to the Pulsar 200NS. The headlight of the new Bajaj offering will be an LED unit, making it the first bike in its segment to offer them. We have spotted the test mules and they are bright! The instrument console is an all-digital unit while the tell-tale lights have been mounted on the tank. 

As for the powertrain, the Bajaj Pulsar CS400/ Kratos VS400 will share its 375cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine with the KTM 390 Duke. Though, the engine will be retuned to suit the characteristics of a power cruiser, with a maximum torque of around 33Nm and peak power figures of around 35PS. The powerplant will be mated to a 6-speed gearbox with gear ratios tuned to offer better low-end power delivery. The frame of the motorcycle is a perimeter unit as seen on the 200NS, unlike the trellis chassis as seen on the KTM 390 Duke. The bike employs telescopic front forks and a monoshock rear unit for damping while anchorage is provided by disc brake on both ends. We expect Bajaj to offer dual-channel ABS as an optional extra. Expect the Bajaj 400cc motorcycle to command a price tag between Rs 1.5 to 1.7 lakh, ex-showroom.