These 200cc naked bikes offer engaging performance with great value for money. We compare the two in detailed images
TVS Motor Company recently launched the 2025 Apache RTR 200 4V in India. The motorcycle gets some hardware changes along with an OBD-2B engine update. The updated RTR 200 4V competes with the Bajaj Pulsar NS200, and let’s compare these naked motorcycles in images:
Design
The updated TVS Apache RTR 200 4V retains the old design with its aggressive styling, and sharp looking body panels which makes the motorcycle quite desirable. TVS has also introduced some new exciting looking paint schemes with red graphics which gives it an even sportier look.
On the other hand, in terms of design, the Pulsar NS200 has remained unchanged for almost a decade now, but the motorcycle still looks quite good with its proper street fighter styling. The motorcycle gets some fresh looking graphics which goes well with the sporty design of this Pulsar, and the all-LED lighting in the latest-generation version gives it a much-needed modernity.
Engine
The 2025 Apache RTR 200 4V gets an OBD-2B compliant engine, and the power and torque figures remain unchanged. The 197.75cc single-cylinder, air & oil-cooled motor makes 20.82PS at 9,000rpm and 17.25Nm and 7,250rpm. This engine offers good low and midrange grunt with an overall engaging performance.
In comparison the Pulsar NS200 uses a more modern, liquid-cooled 199.5cc motor, which makes 24.5PS at 9,750rpm and 18.7Nm at 8,000rpm. On paper, the NS200 is a lot more powerful than the RTR 200 4V, but the NS200 makes most of its power higher in the rev-range which means that it will need more downshifts for making those quick overtakes. That said, the NS200’s engine is going to feel a little less stressed at high speeds as it comes with a 6-speed gearbox compared to the Apache’s 5-speed transmission.
Underpinnings
The Apache RTR 200 4V uses a split cradle frame along with a new 37mm inverted fork and rear monoshock with preload adjustability. The golden coloured fork makes the motorcycle look quite good but it misses out on preload adjustability that the telescopic fork version offers. For 2025, TVS has also given the RTR 200 4V a single-piece handlebar rather than clip-ons. The bike gets 270mm front and 240mm rear petal disc brake setup with dual channel ABS. It runs on 17-inch alloy wheels with a 90 section front and a 130 section rear tyre.
The Pulsar NS200 uses a chunky looking steel perimeter frame along with an inverted fork and preload adjustable monoshock. The bike gets a 300mm front and a 230mm rear disc brake setup with dual channel ABS. It gets 17-inch alloy wheels with a 100 section front and a 130 section rear tyre. At 158Kg (kerb), the Pulsar is 7kg heavier than the Apache RTR 200 4V, which weighs 151kg (kerb).
Features
Feature wise, the RTR 200 4V is considerably more loaded than the NS200. The Apache gets a digital console which shows all the necessary information and supports smartphone connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation and SMS/call alerts. Along with this it also gets a lap-times, top speed recorder, 0 to 60kmph recorder, lean angle mode and more. The Apache also gets 3 ride modes: Sport, Urban and Rain. The Sport mode offers the maximum performance, while the motorcycle makes slightly less power and torque in Urban and Rain mode at 17.32PS and 16.51Nm. Other features include a slipper clutch and adjustable levers.
The Pulsar NS200 also gets a digital display with smartphone connectivity and supports turn-by-turn navigation along with SMS/call alerts. It also gets distance-to-empty readout, instantaneous mileage and average mileage. The motorcycle also gets all LED lights, unlike the RTR 200 4V which gets LED headlight and tail light but misses out on LED indicators. The bike also gets a USB charging port.
Price And Verdict
|
Variant |
Price (ex-showroom Delhi) |
|
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Inverted fork variant |
Rs 1,53,990 |
|
Bajaj Pulsar NS200 standard variant |
Rs 1,58,336 |
At a price of Rs 1,53,990 (ex-showroom Delhi), the RTR 200 4V is Rs 4,346 more affordable than the Pulsar NS200. But the Pulsar offers a lot more power along with a 6-speed gearbox, which gives it an upper hand in terms of overall performance. The RTR 200 4V, on the other hand, offers a lot more features, including riding modes – which make it a better tech-loaded package than the Pulsar.
That said, both of these street naked bikes offer great performance and styling. The RTR 200 4V could be a much better city bike thanks to its lighter weight and better low-end grunt, whereas the Pulsar could be a better highway tourer due to the bigger engine and the presence of a 6th gear.
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