The 200cc segment is one of the most sought after two-wheeler segments in the Indian market. Sitting under the more expensive quarter-litre but above the low 150cc power, 200cc motorcycles offer a balance between day to day commutes, weekend runs and even the occasional long-distance trips. While there are plenty of motorcycles that compete in this space, for this comparison, we have zeroed down to three popular motorcycles in this segment. The first is the recently launched and ‘Flying Against the Wind’, Honda Hornet 2.0 which competes with the recently upgraded & updated TVS Apache RTR 200 4V along with the ‘Definitely Male’ Bajaj Pulsar NS200 which has been updated with new colours.
Engine:
The Honda Hornet is powered by a 184.4cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine with a Programmed Fuel-Injection system with 8 onboard sensors that produce 17 Hp of power and 16.1 Nm of torque matched to a 5-speed constant mesh gearbox. The Apache RTR 200 4V is powered by a 197.75cc single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine 4-stroke, 4-valve with RT-Fi (Race Tuned Fuel Injection) technology that makes 20.5 PS of power at 8,500 RPM and 16.8 Nm of torque at 7,500 RPM matched to a 5-speed gearbox. The motor also comes with a first in segment GTT – Glide Through Technology. The Bajaj Pulsar NS 200 leads with a 199.5cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke 4-valve, fuel-injected engine that makes 24.5 PS of power and 18.7 Nm of torque matched to a 6-speed gearbox.
Chassis, Suspension & Brakes:
The Honda Hornet 2.0 features a diamond frame that rides on premium mechanical hallmarks such as an upside-down front fork suspension unit finished in Gold, an adjustable rear monoshock, 276mm front and 220mm rear petal disc brakes equipped with single-channel ABS technology for safety. The Honda Hornet comes with a 12-litre fuel tank capacity and tips the scale at 142 kg at the kerb. Thanks to its racing roots, the Apache RTR 200 4V features a Double Cradle Split Synchro Stiff Frame that rides on telescopic front fork suspension and monoshock on the rear. The motorcycle gets 270mm front and 240mm rear petal-type disc brakes equipped with dual-channel ABS with Rear Wheel-Lift Mitigation and an optional Single Channel Super-Moto ABS variant. The Apache RTR 200 4V comes with a 12-litre fuel tank and weighs 153 kgs at the kerb. The Pulsar NS 200 comes with a pressed steel perimeter frame that rides on telescopic suspension on the front with anti-friction bush and a Nitrox mono shock absorber with Canister on the rear. It gets 300mm front and 230mm rear disc brakes equipped with a dual-channel ABS. Pulser NS 200 comes with a 12-litre fuel tank and tips the scales at 156 kgs.
Design & Styling:
While all three motorcycles are naked roadsters, all of them features unique styling in their own way. The Honda Hornet 2.0 features a sharp angular look with a geometric LED headlamp, a pod-style instrument cluster, angular tank shrouds, chiselled tank, sharp cuts on the tail cowling and a sleek belly cowl adding to the sharpness of the motorcycle. The Apache RTR 200 4V also comes with a sharp mandible-like headlight shroud, LED headlamps, with claw styled daytime running lamps, a chiselled fuel tank with angular tank shrouds, boomerang-shaped side panels and sharp tail cowls with aero ducts. The Pulsar NS 200 features muscular features, a muscular tank with extended shrouds, single headlamp, a sharp tail lamp, belly cowling and though the design remains old the brand has just updated the line-up with new colours – Graphite Black, Mirage White, Fiery Yellow and Wild Red. The new Hornet 2.0 too comes in four colour options – Pearl Igneous Black, Matte Sangria Red Metallic, Matte Axis Grey Metallic and Matte Marvel Blue Metallic. The Apache RTR 200 4V comes on in two colour options – Pearl White and Gloss Black.
Electronics:
The Honda Hornet features LED headlamps with LED integrated position lamps, LED turn indicators and an X-shaped LED tail lamp. It also comes with a pod styled Fully Digital Negative Liquid Crystal Display instruments cluster with advanced information like Gear Position Indicator, Service Due Indicator, Battery Voltmeter and comes with 5-step adjustable brightness. The Apache RTR 200 4V features LED headlamps, LED DRLs and LED tail lamps. The brand claims that the headlamps offer best in class light penetration and wide light spread. The Apache RTR 200 4V also comes with a fully-digital LCD display with TVS SmartXonnect technology, a cutting-edge Bluetooth enabled system equipped with a plethora of smartphone-connected features along with race telemetry, lean angle data, navigation features, call notifications, crash alert and low fuel alert. The Bajaj Pulsar NS 200 features 12V 55/60W halogen headlamps, LED taillamps and the same semi-digital instruments console with an analogue tachometer, digital speedometer, two trip meters, fuel level indicator, service due indicator, clock etc.
Price:
The Honda Hornet 2.0 sporty streetfighter is priced at INR 1.26 lakh ex-showroom, Delhi. The TVS Apache RTR 200 4V is priced starting INR 1.23 lakh ex-showroom, Delhi but the above-compared model with Dual-Channel ABS with RLP is priced INR 1.30 lakh ex-showroom, Delhi. The Bajaj Pulsar NS 200 with the new colour range is priced at INR 1.31 lakh ex-showroom, Delhi.