It’s simple really. These are two of the most fun motorcycles in India. The Bajaj Pulsar is something of a legend in Indian motorcycling circles. The earlier generations set our market on fire, gave birth to a whole generation of hooligans and paved the way for this, the 200NS which is the most advanced Pulsar yet. Meanwhile, the Yamaha R15 is a Japanese thoroughbred, drawing its inspiration from Yamaha’s hallowed YZF series of motorcycles and it set a new standard of dynamic behaviour when it was launched.
If you’re in the market for a performance bike, chances are, you have an eye on each of these. So where does the math come in? Well, 50cc, 6.2bhp and 3.3Nm more for 20 grand less - that’s the equation the Pulsar offers. Should you empty your piggy bank for the big Bajaj, then? Or does the Yamaha’s racing pedigree prove superior? What’s the bike to go for when pure performance is on your mind? That’s what we’re here to find out.
When it comes to numbers, the Pulsar gives its rider 23bhp and 18.3Nm to play with, while the R15 lags a bit with 16.8bhp and 15Nm. In a straight line, it’s a no contest. The Pulsar thumps the R15, with a 4.5 second run to 60, while the R15 manages it in a respectable 5.19 seconds. The run to the tonne comes up in 10.25 seconds on the Bajaj, while the Yamaha pokes its nose past the 100kph barrier in 14.39 seconds. Top speeds are 132kph and 124kph respectively. However, as usual, the numbers don’t tell the full story... er, except that the Pulsar dominates here.
The Pulsar is quicker and faster, but the R15’s motor and gearbox feels smoother and unburstable. All components seem to merge into one seamless unit to enable the rider to get on with the most important task - riding as fast as possible. The Pulsar, while miles ahead of its previous avatars, still exhibits a bit of harshness, especially near the higher reaches of its rev range. It doesn’t feel as cohesive as the Yamaha, and this can be an issue for finicky riders.
This is where things get really interesting on a motorcycle - corners. Now these two motorcycles offer very different experiences when going through a set of twisties. Both have clip-ons and rear-sets, but put them to very different uses. The Pulsar offers a sporty yet upright riding position, perfect for everyday use and high-speed riding. The R15, on the other hand, has a riding position that seems to be the product of an Italian designer - it’s painful for everything except hard cornering.
The Pulsar features a 100/80 section front tyre, a smidgen thicker than the 90/80 the Yamaha sports. Both bikes show off fat 130/70 hoops at the rear, and both have twin-spar frames that promise large-scale exploration of the rubber’s real estate. However, the R15’s soft-compound tyres are better at gripping the tarmac/concrete/paver block/whatever than the Pulsar’s. The Pulsar’s chassis seems to be “inspired” by the older R15’s, right down to the snail-cam chain adjuster on the swingarm and that’s a compliment for the Japanese bike.
However, here again, both have completely different approaches. The Pulsar, despite its not-so-great tyres handles well. The 280mm front disc offers good feel and you can rely on it to haul you down from speed. The Pulsar feels planted, if a bit heavy, at all times. At 145kg, it’s 9kg heavier than the R15 and you can feel it. Nonetheless, the Pulsar is a lot of fun in corners and it’s very much possible to find the fastest lines through curves at will. It’s just that the R15’s that much better.
The Yamaha, with its torture-simulating riding position, makes all the sense in the world in corners. The R15’s front disc, though smaller than the Pulsar’s, offers brilliant feel. The V 2.0 is not as lightning quick and neutral as the older R15, but it still comfortably sees off the Pulsar in a corner. It feels planted yet light on its feet, allowing you to get more and more adventurous in corners and that’s a sign of a forgiving motorcycle. If you’re planning a lot of track days, the R15 is still the better choice.
Now it’s time to decide which one is better for the ‘post-ride bike gazing’ ritual. And it all depends on whether you prefer your bikes naked or clothed... er, faired. The Pulsar looks smashing and is awash with a host of little details embedded in its fantastic proportions. The running lights, the slashes and curves, the purposeful stance - they all come together to create a rather menacing appearance. Fantastic.
The R15, the V 2.0 specifically, is about that sting-like tail. It’s a properly impractical-sportsbike tail section and that’s exactly why it looks so good. However, the front is the same old face that we’ve become used to on the first R15. They really should’ve sharpened it up like that tail when they had the chance. Nonetheless, the R15 feels better put together than the Pulsar and that counts for something, doesn’t it?
In this contest between the homegrown brawler and the suave Japanese, it’s the former that wins. The Pulsar costs around Rs 1 lakh in Mumbai compared to the R15’s Rs 1.2 lakh. At the end of the day, more power for less money makes a lot of sense to us. Having said that, this is an overall victory - there are some aspects (build quality and outright handling prowess) where the R15 is better than the Pulsar. If all you want to do is drool at the sight of apexes, it’s best if you stumble into a Yamaha showroom. For everyone else, it’s the Pulsar we recommend. It’s still the hooligan for the masses, eh?
(http://www.topgear.com/india/car-gallery/yamaha-r15-v-20-vs-bajaj-pulsar-200-ns/itemid-89?currentid=7234)
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