KTM Duke 200 Vs Pulsar 200NS- The Battle Of 200cc Naked Street Fighters

The KTM Duke 200 and Pulsar 200NS revolutionized the 200cc naked motorcycles segment and even today they don't have any competition but they both are competition for each other. You don't have a lot of option to choose from when you are in the market to buy 200cc naked street fighter, you either buy Duke 200 or else Pulsar 200NS. So which one is better? We will try to answer in this shootout.
Ride & Review By: Amit & Kishore
Text By: Shafqat
Photographs By: Ziconur Islam
Looks, Styling & Comfort

Both the bikes are naked motorcycles but the looks and Styling of Duke 200 is a super moto inspired. It looks amazing and compact, so compact that pillion will surely feel that. The styling is better than Pulsar 200NS but Pulsar 200NS seems more practical. The Duke 200 is like a teen who doesn't care about who is in front of him, it's ready to fight, conquer and win. So if your age is between 18-25 you will love it without caring about practicality.

Pulsar 200NS is a muscular motorcycle and looks a bit bigger than Duke 200. The 200NS has a big sculpted tank which will always remind you of Pulsar lineage. The styling of 200NS has been done by keeping comfort and practicality in mind. Pulsar 200NS looks like a mature guy who is handsome and muscular, he avoids quarrel but he isn't going to forgive, if you throw a challenge. A relatively mature audience will love 200NS for its looks and design. The Pulsar 200NS share most of its parts from Duke 200 and it can attract young riders as well as matured riders while the Duke 200 will mostly attract younger riders, matured riders may love it but will avoid buying due to very aggressive design and almost non-existent space for pillion.

Bajaj Pulsar 200NS and Duke 200 both has high raised handle bars, underbelly exhaust, muscular tank, rear monoshock suspension and rear set foot pegs, (Pulsar 200NS has clip-on while Duke has single piece handle bar) which provides a comfortable riding position but Pulsar 200NS offers more comfort than aggressive Duke 200. Pillion will enjoy riding on Pulsar 200NS because of the more space it offers compared to Duke 200. Engine & Performance

Both the motorcycles are powered with 199.5cc, 4-valve, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engines, 6-speed transmission and similar bore & stroke . Even though they have similar engines, the major difference between them are 200NS engine has SOHC layout with a carburetor for fueling while the Duke 200 has Fuel-Injected DOHC engine. The 200NS employs three spark plugs on the other hand Duke is happy with single spark plug. The power output is almost similar 200NS produces 23.5 BHP @9500 RPM and peak torque of 18.3 Nm @ 8000 RPM while Duke200 produces slightly better figures of 25 BHP @10,000 RPM and torque of 19.2 Nm @8000 RPM. The power delivery on both the bikes are different, the Pulsar 200NS has smooth and linear power delivery but Duke is always in a hurry and accelerates almost like a two-stroke engine. Make a pillion sit on Duke 200 and accelerate it, the pillion will shout " what the hell is going on" and the same pillion rider on 200NS will be like "wow it's a smooth machine" (that doesn't mean at all that the engine of DUKE 200 is not smooth) the power delivery on both the bikes brings the difference.

Now come to the roar of both the bikes, 200NS has a sweet sound which will allow you to enjoy the symphony of the nature along side, but on the other hand the growl of Duke 200 will make your adrenaline pumping and you will have no time to enjoy nature, you will be totally focused on your machine. Put both the bikes head to head, Duke 200 will go ahead but once both of them cross the 100kmph mark, 200NS starts to show its true character and goes ahead of Duke. So Duke has a better acceleration while 200NS has a better top-end. Both the engines are revv-happy and will not disappoint you in any way. Cornering ability of both the bikes are very good but Duke is a bit better here, because you can lock your knee on Duke 200. The Pulsar 200NS has a perimeter frame with 50:50 weight distribution while Duke carries trellis frame. Brakes & Overall Quality

The Pulsar 200NS has 280mm petal disc brake at front compared to 300mm disc brake of Duke, but the rear brakes of both the bikes are 230mm. The braking ability of both the bikes are excellent. The petal disc on 200NS offers great bite even though it's smaller than that of Duke. However, we felt that the stopping power of Duke 200 is slightly better than that of Pulsar 200NS.

The Duke 200 has not only better underpinnings than NS200 but also superior features like WP suspensions both front and rear, front Upside Down superior shock absorbers. Fuel injection system from Bosch, KTM signature Trellis frame for better stability and superior ride. Overall quality and fit n finish of KTM Duke 200 is also better than Pulsar 200NS, but not to forget that you need to shell out extra to relish these premium features. Uniqueness, Mileage and Price
Pulsar NS200:

Pulsar 200NS has a very good and refined engine with triple spark plugs, smooth power delivery, it's hard to believe you are riding a Pulsar. The console of 200NS is analogue with digital meter, which is easy to read. The 200NS has perimeter frame which inspires your confidence and clip on handlebars which looks sporty.

Mileage - The 200NS will return you 30-32kmpl in city and 34-36kmpl on highway.

Price - Rs 91553 (Ex-Showroom, Delhi)
KTM Duke 200:

The Duke 200 is fast accelerating machine with fuel injection and excellent hardware. It has upside down front suspension, fully digital console, single piece handle bar and trellis frame. One thing we would like to mention is the Duke200 is blessed with good rubbers which inspires loads of confidence. Duke 200 is lighter than 200NS and tips the scale at 136 Kgs compared to 145 Kgs which makes it agile.

Mileage- It will return you 27-29 kmpl in city and 31-33 kmpl on highway.

Price- Rs 137977 (Ex-Showroom, Delhi)
Verdict

You can't go wrong with any of these machines and it's easy to choose if you are confused on your goal. Pulsar 200NS gives everything for your buck and it is a great VFM machine, so, if you are tight on your budget go for 200NS and you are not going to regret buying it. If you can spend more you will get a fuel injected machine with better hardware and you will get extra features for your money, then go for Duke 200.

Please give your suggestions in the comment section if we missed out something.
See full details of KTM Duke 200 »

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