This Information Pulsar 200NS Vs KTM 200 Duke: Sibling Rivalry, Read More

Can the Pulsar 200NS be compared with the KTM 200 Duke..??

How can an Indian brand (Pulsar) be called as a sibling to a European (KTM) brand? Well, both the bikes actually share a common DNA in terms of their development. The next gen Pulsar was developed by Bajaj R&D alongside the baby Duke which was co-developed by Bajaj & KTM.

There is no better bike between the two, just two bikes with two different characters

Also both the bikes are manufactured in the Chakan (Pune) plant of Bajaj auto utilizing parts sourced from Indian vendors. It has been stated officially that the lower half of the engine on both bikes have been shared. Also the bore and stroke of the piston on both bikes is identical. The underbelly silencer on both bikes is another visual cue.

So does it mean that both bikes are essentially same with just a difference in their styling, features and subsequently in their price level? Is there a better bike between the two?

Nothing could be far from the truth. Although both bikes might share some common DNA, but in terms of ride feel both the bikes are diametrically opposite. It is simply not possible to pick a winner between the two. Each bike has got its own distinct character. There is no better bike between the two, just two bikes with two different characters.

Bajaj Pulsar 200NS: A Grown up Man - Mature, smooth and suave
KTM 200 Duke: A Teenager – Restless, bit too enthusiastic and a bit hard edged

Bajaj Pulsar 200NS: The Pulsar 200NS a versatile bike. One can use it for city/daily commutes. It can cruise smoothly on long highway tours at 100 plus kmph speeds and it can also attack corners of a race track, provided you can find one. It does all these with a refined, mature and stable feel.



The Pulsar 200NS accelerates in a linear manner and there is no pronounced “torque kick” experienced when one twists the accelerator. What you get is a linear pull that continues relentlessly till the red line. The Pulsar 200NS is also very smooth all through its rev range. The linear and smooth nature of the engine makes the Pulsar 200NS deceptively quick. The handling of the Pulsar 200NS is a revelation. The perimeter frame and the monoshock at the rear combine to provide a handling which is very stable and sure footed.

The engine and the handling of the Pulsar 200NS gives the bike a character which is unlike the older Pulsars. The bike now feels mature, sure footed and very refined. It is no longer the hooligan that the Pulsar once used to be.


KTM 200 Duke: The 200 Duke is an extremely focused street bike. It is simply the king, emperor, lord (opps that’s taken), overlord of the Indian streets. Very light and extremely flickable with neck jerking take off every time one pins the throttle, there is no other bike which can match the baby Duke in the streets. But this single minded focus also limits the 200 Duke to some extent.



The short stroke and short geared engine of the 200 Duke makes it a street hooligan but this also takes its toll in the highway cruising capability. The bike easily crosses 100 kmph but the engine takes a slightly stressed nature. The handling which is extremely agile in the city feels a bit over enthusiastic on open stretches with a slight amount of over steer.

The urgent nature of the engine and light handling makes the 200 Duke an unmatched street hooligan but it also means that the versatility of the bike is compromised. The 200 Duke does one thing well and it does it bloody well.


Conclusion: Fuel efficiency of both bikes will hover around 35-40 kmpl depending on the riding style. In terms of performance the 200 Duke will be faster and quicker than the Pulsar 200NS. In terms of fit and finish and built quailty both bikes are very good with the 200 Duke being slightly better on this front. The Pulsar 200NS will cost around Rs. 95,000 on-road on the other hand the 200 Duke will be about Rs. 35,000 dearer at around Rs. 130,000. The 200 Duke does get additional goodies which the Pulsar lacks like a Fuel Injection system, upside down front forks, steel braided brakes hoses and a swingarm made out of aluminium.

The difference in character of both bikes have been mentioned above. Now its upto the rider to make his choice.

Related Posts

• Ride Review: Pulsar 200NS - Return of the King [Jun 2012]



• Ride Review: KTM 200 Duke - Agent Orange [Feb 2012]

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