Topgear
After the NS (Naked Sport), and Racing Sport (RS) we’ve Bajaj has now revealed the Adventure Sport (AS) series of small capacity performance motorcycles. It’s been a while since we last saw a new 150cc Pulsar. And that long wait has at last come to an end. After riding the AS 200 and more importantly, AS 150, it appears to have been well worth the wait. What makes the smaller AS bike unique is the fact that this is the first bike to house the new air-cooled 150cc motor, as opposed to the liquid cooled 200cc single-pot mill that we’ve been familiarised with in the NS 200 and RS 200.
In the looks department, the AS is surely something that Pulsar fans will readily accept. That half fairing makes the bike look tourer-friendly, while the projector headlamp and a visor makes the Pulsar’s sporty intentions clear. Passing the angular tank that appears fused with the fairing and moving back towards the rear of the motorcycle, you’ll notice the familiar styling of the older NS. The AS borrows most of its body panels including the instrument cluster from the NS. At this point, we’d like to thank the designers for not going overboard with the AS’s rear design like they did with the RS 200. Coming to the power unit in the AS 150, the long-stroke, air-cooled, carbureted, single-pot 149.5cc motor which pumps 16.7bhp and 13Nm of torque is all-new, and not a re-bored version of the older motor. The new engine is up on power by 2bhp and 0.5Nm of torque over the previous generation Pulsar 150. The AS 150 tips the scales at 143kg making it a kilo lighter than the previous generation bike.
The AS 200, on the other hand, sports the same old carbureted, liquid-cooled, 199.5cc, motor and churns out identical power figures of 23.2bhp and 18.3Nm. The AS bikes use the same chassis as the NS, so as you would expect, riding dynamics are on par with the older bike, which is a good thing for city as well as highway rides. Just that the 150 doesn’t feel as nicely weighted through tight corners as the 200cc version, or packs the same braking power with its smaller disc brakes. Dimensionally, both the AS variants are exactly the same in height, length and wheelbase. Even the steering geometry is the same. The only difference is the slimmer front forks and a slightly reworked monoshock that has been tuned keeping the 10kg weight difference in mind. But both bikes incorporate the improvements that Bajaj has carried out on since the NS came out two years ago. As a result, the AS motorcycles are very refined products overall, with linear power delivery.
The AS 150 gets a 5-speed shifter instead of the 200’s 6-speed. Guess Bajaj wanted to keep costs in check but according to us, a 6-speed would have suited the bikes touring characteristics better. The bikes’ riding position, though sporty, leans more towards comfort.
Although not the best out there, AS 150's cornering ability will surely impress Pulsar loyalists as well as others looking for a sporty bike in this segment. The MRF Zappers do a good job of holding the road and providing ample amount of grip all throughout. It’s commendable how much effort Bajaj has taken in the handling department, especially when you compare it to the last generation Pulsar.
The Bajaj Pulsar AS 150 and 200 come across as well-rounded products. It’s not only a step forward in every way when compared to the older-gen Pulsar, but also holds its own against the competition. What's really noteworthy is that Bajaj has worked hard on this all new 150cc motor, and the refinement and performance is nearly as good as some of its more premium Japanese rivals.
The numbers:AS 150: - Engine: 149.5cc, air-cooled, 16.7bhp, 13Nm, 5-speed, Fuel capacity: 12ltr, weight: 143kg, Price: ₹79,000 (ex-Delhi)
AS 200: -Engine: 199.5cc, liquid cooled, 23.2bhp, 18.3Nm, 6-Speed, Fuel capacity: 12ltr, weight: 153kg, Price: ₹91,550 (ex-Delhi)
The verdict: The AS range has broadened the spectrum of the brand that is Pulsar, giving the performance bike a more adventure/tourer focused outlook, while maintaining its pocket friendly appeal.
The following review has been sourced from TopGear - May 2015.
The AS 150 gets a 5-speed shifter instead of the 200’s 6-speed. Guess Bajaj wanted to keep costs in check but according to us, a 6-speed would have suited the bikes touring characteristics better. The bikes’ riding position, though sporty, leans more towards comfort.
Although not the best out there, AS 150's cornering ability will surely impress Pulsar loyalists as well as others looking for a sporty bike in this segment. The MRF Zappers do a good job of holding the road and providing ample amount of grip all throughout. It’s commendable how much effort Bajaj has taken in the handling department, especially when you compare it to the last generation Pulsar.
The Bajaj Pulsar AS 150 and 200 come across as well-rounded products. It’s not only a step forward in every way when compared to the older-gen Pulsar, but also holds its own against the competition. What's really noteworthy is that Bajaj has worked hard on this all new 150cc motor, and the refinement and performance is nearly as good as some of its more premium Japanese rivals.
The numbers:AS 150: - Engine: 149.5cc, air-cooled, 16.7bhp, 13Nm, 5-speed, Fuel capacity: 12ltr, weight: 143kg, Price: ₹79,000 (ex-Delhi)
AS 200: -Engine: 199.5cc, liquid cooled, 23.2bhp, 18.3Nm, 6-Speed, Fuel capacity: 12ltr, weight: 153kg, Price: ₹91,550 (ex-Delhi)
The verdict: The AS range has broadened the spectrum of the brand that is Pulsar, giving the performance bike a more adventure/tourer focused outlook, while maintaining its pocket friendly appeal.
The following review has been sourced from TopGear - May 2015.