BAJAJ AUTO TEAMS UP WITH KAWASAKI TO ENTER INDONESIA WITH THE PULSAR 200 NS SPORTSBIKE
Indian motorcycle major Bajaj Auto and Japanese motorcycle giant Kawasaki have had a long and fruitful partnership spanning many markets including India. This motorcycle maker alliance will look to replicate the success it has enjoyed in the Philippines market ever since its set shop jointly in 2004. Now, the Bajaj-Kawasaki alliance enjoys a market share of 45% and in 2013, Bajaj and Kawasaki plans to enter the Indonesian market, which is the third largest two wheeler market in the world, after China and India, and South East Asia’s largest two wheeler market.
Both Honda and TVS Motors have a significant presence in the Indonesian motorcycle market with the former being the largest player in Indonesia. Together, China, India and Indonesia make for over 60% of the world’s two wheeler market and seen in that light, this move from Bajaj-Kawasaki is a landmark one. Whilst Kawasaki already has a presence in Indonesia, Bajaj Auto will use Kawasaki’s dealership and distribution reach in Indonesia to sell its motorcycle range in that country. The first motorcycle that Bajaj Auto will launch in Indonesia will be its flagship variant, the Pulsar 200 NS.
In due course of time, Bajaj Auto is expected to introduce many more motorcycles in Indonesia, including the KTM Duke range of street fighters. Incidentally, Bajaj owns a sizeable stake in Austrian motorcycle maker KTM, with the Indian two wheeler maker holding over 49% stake in KTM. The Pulsar 200 NS, which was launched in India earlier this year in a phased manner has become a hot seller for the Bajaj Auto. The motorcycle is a big step up for Bajaj Auto, in that it uses liquid cooling technology for the engine along with a triple spark plug engine head design, which is a world first for any two wheeler maker.
The Pulsar 200 NS’s 200cc engine produces a peak power of 23.1 Bhp at 9,500 rpm and a peak torque of 18.3 Nm at 8,000 rpm. This engine is mated to a six speed manual gearbox, features liquid cooling and comes with a a four valve head working on a SOHC layout. The motorcycle uses a perimeter frame and a monoshock rear suspension to be the best handling Bajaj motorcycle ever. To keep costs low, Bajaj has used a CV carburetor instead of taking the fuel injection route on the Pulsar 200 NS. Like in India, the Pulsar 200 NS is expected to be priced very competitively in the Indonesian market.
Bajaj Auto teams up with Kawasaki to enter Indonesia with the Pulsar 200 NS sportsbike | IndianCarsBikes.in