New Delhi
Yamaha FZ-S FI vs Bajaj Pulsar NS200: Finding the better premium sports commuter
Reviews by Team Drivio | 23 May 2024
The Yamaha FZ-S FI is one of the most proven 150cc motorcycles available in India, but for a not-so-big premium over it, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 comes across as a worthy option to consider.
- While the Yamaha FZ-S FI is currently in its third generation with a more muscular design than its predecessor, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 is an almost decade-old motorcycle with new graphics.
- The liquid-cooled, 199.5cc engine of the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 offers you almost twice the power of the air-cooled, 149cc engine of the Yamaha FZ-S FI.
- While the Yamaha FZS-FI gets an LED headlamp and a fully-digital instrument console, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 gets backlit switchgear and clip-on handlebars.
Yamaha FZ-S FI vs Bajaj Pulsar NS200: Design & Features
The Yamaha FZ-S FI is currently in its third-generation version, which was launched in 2019 and came with a more visual bulk than the model it replaced. It retains the traditional virtues of the FZ-S series, such as a muscular-looking fuel tank and tyres, a fully-digital instrument console and a mono-shock. However, with this third-generation model, it lost out on split seats and split pillion grab rails. Instead, it received a new LED headlamp and the option of an LED tail lamp, which is available in its top-spec trim.
In contrast, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200, which was launched almost a decade ago in 2012, continues to have the same design, albeit with a different set of body graphics. However, even today, it is one of the sharpest-looking motorcycles in its segment, with an angular halogen headlamp with pilot lamps, a sharp-looking fuel tank and tail section, and split LED tail lamps.
It also gets a few more features over the Yamaha FZ-S, such as clip-on handlebars, split pillion grab rails and seats and backlit switchgear. Though, the Pulsar NS200 misses out on an all-digital console and instead gets a part-digital unit with an analogue tachometer.
| Features | Yamaha FZ-S FI | Bajaj Pulsar NS200 |
| LED headlamp | Yes | No |
| Instrument console | Fully-digital | Part-digital |
| LED tail lamp | Yes (optional) | Yes |
| Alloy wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Split seats | No | Yes |
| Clip-on handlebars | No | Yes |
| Backlit switchgear | No | Yes |
| Split pillion grab rails | No | Yes |
Yamaha FZ-S FI vs Bajaj Pulsar NS200: Engine & Gearbox
In this comparison, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 is a clear winner. While the single-cylinder, air-cooled, 149cc engine of the Yamaha FZ-S FI produces just 12.4 bhp of power and 13.3 Nm of torque, the larger single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 199.5cc engine of the Pulsar NS200 put up 24.5 bhp of power and 18.74 Nm of torque.
It also features a couple of more advancements like liquid cooling, two additional spark plugs and an extra gear in transmission over the FZ-S FI.
| Specifications | Yamaha FZ-S FI | Bajaj Pulsar NS200 |
| Engine | Four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled, 149cc | Four-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 199.5cc |
| Maximum power | 12.4 bhp @ 7,250 rpm | 24.5 bhp @ 9,750 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 13.3 Nm @ 5,500 rpm | 18.74 Nm @ 8,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 5-speed | 6-speed |
Yamaha FZ-S FI vs Bajaj Pulsar NS200: Suspension, Tyres & Brakes
Both the motorcycles come with telescopic hydraulic forks at the front, a mono-shock with rectangular swingarm at the rear, single-channel ABS and a 100/80-17 tyre at the back. While the mono-shock of the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 is gas-charged, the rear tyre of the Yamaha FZ-S FI is wider in comparison. To handle the extra amount of power on tap, the Pulsar NS200 also comes with bigger disc brakes at both front and rear.
| Specifications | Yamaha FZ-S FI | Bajaj Pulsar NS200 |
| Front suspension | Telescopic hydraulic forks | Telescopic hydraulic forks |
| Rear suspension | Rectangular swingarm with 7-step adjustable monoshock | Rectangular swingarm with 5-step adjustable, gas-charged monoshock |
| Front tyre | 100/80-17 | 100/80-17 |
| Rear tyre | 140/60 R17 | 130/70-17 |
| Front brake | 282mm disc | 300mm disc |
| Rear brake | 220mm disc | 230mm disc |
| Single-channel ABS | Yes | Yes |
Yamaha FZ-S Fi vs Bajaj Pulsar NS200: Dimensions
The higher positioning of the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 in terms of size and performance makes it a larger motorcycle in comparison to the Yamaha FZ-S FI, with the former being the longer and wider motorcycle of the two. The Pulsar NS200 also has a marginally higher ground clearance, kerb weight and seat height.
| Dimensions | Yamaha FZ-S FI | Bajaj Pulsar NS200 |
| Length | 1990 mm | 2017 mm |
| Width | 780 mm | 804 mm |
| Height | 1080 mm | 1075 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1330 mm | 1363 mm |
| Ground clearance | 165 mm | 168 mm |
| Kerb weight | 135 kg | 159.5 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | 13 litres | 12 litres |
| Seat height | 790 mm | 805 mm |
Yamaha FZ-S FI vs Bajaj Pulsar NS200: Price
The Yamaha FZ-S FI is being offered in two variants – Standard and Deluxe. While the Standard variant with black wheels and halogen tail lamp is priced at Rs 1,21,400, the more-premium Deluxe variant with LED tail lamp and coloured wheels will set one back by Rs 1,24,400.
On the other hand, the larger engine and more advanced mechanicals make the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 the pricier motorcycle among the two at Rs 1,40,666.
| Price | Yamaha FZ-S FI | Bajaj Pulsar NS200 |
| Ex-showroom, Delhi | Rs 1,21,400 – Rs 1,24,400 | Rs 1,40,666 |
Conclusion
For a 150cc motorcycle, the Yamaha FZ-S FI ticks many boxes with its muscular design, fat tyres, a proven engine which excels in refinement and power delivery at lower RPMs, and plush low-speed ride quality. However, for just Rs 16,000 additional, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 offers you the feel of riding a larger motorcycle, a more powerful and technologically advanced engine, a better transmission, bigger brakes, more features and a sportier riding experience.
If you can live with the slightly dated design and analogue tachometer, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 is a clear winner over the Yamaha FZ-S FI.
