Can the Bajaj Pulsar AS200 replace the Pulsar 220

While Bajaj is all set to launch the Pulsar RS200 on March 26th in India, the upcoming Bajaj Pulsar AS200 (Adventure Sport) has been spotted at the Chakan facility. Images of the upcoming Bajaj Pulsar AS200 at the production facility was posted by Fly Wheel. There is a high possibility that Bajaj might replace the Pulsar 220 with the Pulsar AS200 as both the offering are a quarter fairing motorcycle. The Bajaj Pulsar 220 has a cult status in the Indian two-wheeler space but it has started to show its age both cosmetically and mechanically. The Bajaj Pulsar AS200 seems to be a good replacement as the DNA of both the motorcycles are similar which is a decently powerful touring machine.

The Bajaj Pulsar AS200 was first seen in Indonesia and later in Turkey while the bike has been spotted undergoing testing around Pune recently. The Bajaj Pulsar AS200 is not an entirely new motorcycle and is based on the Pulsar 200NS. The Bajaj Pulsar AS200 sports a quarter fairing and projector lamps similar to the popular Pulsar 220. Bajaj will hoping to get more takers for the new adventure tourer styled Pulsar AS200, than the naked street biker version - Bajaj Pulsar 200NS which has received lukewarm response in India so far. The new bike could be the third motorcycle under the Pulsar 200 family after the 200NS and the upcoming RS200. 

But if the Bajaj Pulsar AS200 has to replace the Pulsar 220 then the Chakan based manufacturer will have to price the bike aggressively. Owing to this fact expect it to be powered by the non fuel injected motor as seen on the Pulsar 200NS. The 199.5cc, liquid-cooled motor churns out 23.5PS of peak power and 18.3Nm of maximum torque. It wouldn’t be offered with optional ABS similar to the upcoming Bajaj Pulsar RS200 to keep cost low. The Bajaj ASPulsar 200 is expected to be launched by mid-2015 and should be priced around Rs 1 lakh (ex-showroom) which is a marginal premium over the motorcycle its replaces.