Bajaj teases a new Pulsar RS model; Is it the RS400?

gururajrv · 10th January 2025, 15:16

I'd told somewhere on this forum Bajaj seems to have been ignoring the Pulsar brand for a long time now and it's proven yet again! A company who used to make every launch a stellar one back in 2000-2010 has somehow proven what I had mentioned. They're focused on other sister brands than their own. P220 is still such a great bike. Their recent moves, P250F discontinuation and now this? Surely, someone needs to wake Mr Rajiv Bajaj so that he takes charge of his own company!

Geo_Ipe · 10th January 2025, 17:36

We need to understand where Bajaj is positioning the RS200. From what I can decipher, it is aimed at the youth who cannot afford the KTM RC200, which is almost 35k more expensive. This is aimed at the crowd who wants a little more than the NS125 & 160 maybe.

Bajaj aimed at the premium 400cc class with the Dominar, which did not set the sales charts on fire. Moreover, the 400cc segment now has many options better than the Dominar.

I understand the outrage against the RS200 "update", but then I don't think Bajaj aimed it at the premium customer. I don't see anyone from TeamBHP buying this one, neither does Bajaj.

And yeah, the hype they tried to create was a little too much for what they offered at the end!

Bajaj teases a new Pulsar RS model; Is it the RS400?-471865383_18372643573190879_639004597791340076_n.jpg

amol4184 · 11th January 2025, 01:12

Golden era of Pulsars has been over for a decade. What we are seeing now is a bunch of interns trying their hands on existing molds and hoping something will stick. Its astonishing the way this once iconic brand has been watered down over the years and there is no end in sight.

Flyingdutchman · 11th January 2025, 01:15

RS brand is as good as dead. Nobody is buying RS200 these days. Although launched with finicky design, it was rage back in the day (almost a decade back) due to it's price to performance ratio. What Bajaj has failed to understand that Game has changed now. I can see why would they target this 1.8L segment instead of cashing on old 373cc engine. The main nemesis R15V4 swims in the same price pool but that bike has much superior cycle parts meanwhile RS200 is still running on 130/60 tyres along with outdated and tacky looking cycle parts. I also had NS200 before D390 and I enjoyed it thoroughly but can't recommend it or RS200 nowadays. There are lots of better alternatives available at the same price range.

No wonder Bajaj never provide individual sales numbers for RS 200, NS 200. They always club it together for all variants. Most of the NS sales nowadays comes from NS125 and NS160.

RD150 · 12th January 2025, 10:32

To be honest, the bike doesn't look that bad, especially the white one looks decent. Bajaj could have used the NS400's digital meter. Also whats stopping Bajaj from launching the RS400 at slight premium over the Ns400?

The RS200 is still a favourite among teens/college students. It is not difficult to spot one, atleast here in Pune.

10th January 2025, 15:16	#31
gururajrv Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: KA 01-09 Posts: 1,319 Thanked: 2,693 Times	Re: Bajaj teases a new Pulsar RS model; Is it the RS400? I'd told somewhere on this forum Bajaj seems to have been ignoring the Pulsar brand for a long time now and it's proven yet again! A company who used to make every launch a stellar one back in 2000-2010 has somehow proven what I had mentioned. They're focused on other sister brands than their own. P220 is still such a great bike. Their recent moves, P250F discontinuation and now this? Surely, someone needs to wake Mr Rajiv Bajaj so that he takes charge of his own company!
	() Thanks

10th January 2025, 17:36	#32
Geo_Ipe Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Vellore Posts: 1,098 Thanked: 3,711 Times View My Garage	Re: Bajaj teases a new Pulsar RS model; Is it the RS400? We need to understand where Bajaj is positioning the RS200. From what I can decipher, it is aimed at the youth who cannot afford the KTM RC200, which is almost 35k more expensive. This is aimed at the crowd who wants a little more than the NS125 & 160 maybe. Bajaj aimed at the premium 400cc class with the Dominar, which did not set the sales charts on fire. Moreover, the 400cc segment now has many options better than the Dominar. I understand the outrage against the RS200 "update", but then I don't think Bajaj aimed it at the premium customer. I don't see anyone from TeamBHP buying this one, neither does Bajaj. And yeah, the hype they tried to create was a little too much for what they offered at the end! Last edited by Geo_Ipe : 10th January 2025 at 17:38.
	(1) Thanks

11th January 2025, 01:12	#33
amol4184 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seattle/Pune Posts: 1,429 Thanked: 6,144 Times	Re: Bajaj teases a new Pulsar RS model; Is it the RS400? Golden era of Pulsars has been over for a decade. What we are seeing now is a bunch of interns trying their hands on existing molds and hoping something will stick. Its astonishing the way this once iconic brand has been watered down over the years and there is no end in sight.
	() Thanks

11th January 2025, 01:15	#34
Flyingdutchman BHPian Join Date: May 2024 Location: Pune Posts: 95 Thanked: 690 Times	Re: Bajaj teases a new Pulsar RS model; Is it the RS400? RS brand is as good as dead. Nobody is buying RS200 these days. Although launched with finicky design, it was rage back in the day (almost a decade back) due to it's price to performance ratio. What Bajaj has failed to understand that Game has changed now. I can see why would they target this 1.8L segment instead of cashing on old 373cc engine. The main nemesis R15V4 swims in the same price pool but that bike has much superior cycle parts meanwhile RS200 is still running on 130/60 tyres along with outdated and tacky looking cycle parts. I also had NS200 before D390 and I enjoyed it thoroughly but can't recommend it or RS200 nowadays. There are lots of better alternatives available at the same price range. No wonder Bajaj never provide individual sales numbers for RS 200, NS 200. They always club it together for all variants. Most of the NS sales nowadays comes from NS125 and NS160.
	(1) Thanks

12th January 2025, 10:32	#35
RD150 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Pune Posts: 271 Thanked: 910 Times	Re: Bajaj teases a new Pulsar RS model; Is it the RS400? To be honest, the bike doesn't look that bad, especially the white one looks decent. Bajaj could have used the NS400's digital meter. Also whats stopping Bajaj from launching the RS400 at slight premium over the Ns400? The RS200 is still a favourite among teens/college students. It is not difficult to spot one, atleast here in Pune.
	() Thanks