We love motorcycles, we love riding them to anywhere, to any distance, for any purpose, for any duration. But at the same time, what kind of motorcycle I choose, would ultimately decide, where I'm able to take my motorcycle most comfortably, how long I can ride my motorcycle most comfortably, till what time I can ride my motorcycle most comfortably. Yes... "Most Comfortably", and when it comes to the perfect amalgamation of comfort and fun, nothing beats the Naked Street Fighter class of motorcycles.
A Street Fighter motorcycle is designed to give the rider the best of both the worlds - Comfort and Performance. They are take me to anywhere kinda motorcycles. No aerodynamic and bulky fairings, no thigh baking heat coming through the vents, no aching backs and whining wrist. Just sit tall and deliver. But at the same time, the body posture, ergonomics and the over all behavior of the motorcycle do have their part to play. You can't get more without giving in some. So, first take a quick look at some of the most popular Street Fighter motorcycles that are available in India (both Indian made and CBUs)
As can be seen from the above illustration, for an average height of 5'10'', most of the motorcycles have almost similar riding ergonomics, with forward lean angle varying between 10 - 15 degrees and knee angle varying from 73 - 75 degrees. The only exceptions to the forward lean angle are the Ducati Monster with a forward lean angle of 22 degree on the extreme max side and the KTM Duke 200, with a forward lean angle of 3 degree on the extreme min side.
So, that's the kind of ergonomics most the enthusiasts are looking towards when one opts for a Naked Street Fighter motorcycle. So, why am I saying all this? Well, with the launch of the Pulsar 200 NS, a lot about it's ergonomics is being said as too relaxed, almost commuterish and so on and so forth. But a quick look around the existing options in it's class would reveal that it's not the case. The Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS is an Indian made Naked Street Fighter motorcycle at it's best and it lives up to it's class in every aspect. Not only in terms of seating ergos, take a look at the seat heights comparatively, it's not at all that different from others.
Having said that, even I would have loved to have forward lean angle of the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS atleast same as that of the TVS Apache RTR, but then again, the difference is not that huge either. The seat height and the riding posture would have it effects on high speed stability, but then again, that would be a very small margine and it would just be a matter of training ourselves as after all, all nakeds suffer from uncomfortable high speed wind blast issues.
So, all in all the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS is a pretty well rounded package, not only in terms of performance, but also in terms of ergos and usability.
Ergonomics diagrams courtesy - Cycle Ergo
Hi Sajal, nice comparison there, So what do you think,my height is around 5'7" ,will I be comfortable on a 200NS ??
ReplyDelete@Ahmed
DeleteI own a P200NS and going by my experience on the bike, the seat height is high no doubt and you would need to adjust a little at 5'7". But at the same time, that adjustment is only needed when you are standing still. Even in slow moving traffic, even if you are tip toeing, you won't face any issues, as the P200NS is balanced, it makes things pretty easy.
I'm 5'10" and I'm having no problems what so ever handling the bike, it's comfortable, it's zippy and fast and boringly balanced :)
Hope that helps
Hi Sajal,hope you are good,I TD a 200NS and now I just want to buy it !! :D but I think I will need shoes with better grip,as things can get a little risky on wet roads,So please help me,do you know of any brand or make of riding boot which I can buy,that may also not look out of place with a denim jeans.Range upto 6k.
DeleteHi Ahmed,
DeleteAt your budjet, you can try RJay... RJays is a pretty good brand as Alpines would be too costly -
http://www.bachoomotors.com/rjaysboots.htm
hi sir i am 5'6" I want to buy pulsar 200ns but i want to know that will it look perfect on my height or you will suggest me another bike for me
ReplyDeletehi sir
ReplyDeleteI want to buy pusar 200ns but i want to known that will it look greate on my height 5'6" or you will suggest me another bike
Hi Ayush,
DeleteWell, as far as looking great on Pulsar 200NS goes, it looks great on any height. At your height you would be tip toeing a bit. If that's not an issue with you, then go ahead with it, think no further. But if you think, tip toeing can become an issue, then you can probably down size the front rubber to a 90 section instead of the standard 110 section (the one that's on Yamaha R 15 v2.0 - I've personally done that and trust me it gives great confidence).
Hope this helps.
Hi sajan, your article was very informative. I have a couple queries regarding the pillion for ns 200. I have read at some places that the rear suspension is very hard so pillion will have discomfort cause of it. Also the lean angle for the pillion. My gf always complained about the lean angle and rigidity of the suspension on the duke, both 200 2014 and 390 2015. Can you please help me decide.
ReplyDeleteI didn't specify, I am thinking about the ns 200 and am mainly concerned about pillion comfort and riders as well.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Priyank