These decade-old bikes have been spruced up. But which one makes for a better buy?
These decade-old bikes have been spruced up. But which one makes for a better buy?
TVS has refreshed its Apache RTR 200 4V for 2025 with the mandatory emission-compliant engine updates as well as a few hardware upgrades. It has been on sale for over a decade and yet TVS has managed to freshen its appeal with every single update. However, it continues to have a very credible rival in the form of the Bajaj Pulsar NS200, which too has been routinely upgraded. Hence, which one of the 200 cc nakeds deserves your attention? Here’s how they stack up on paper:
| TVS Apache RTR 200 4V | Bajaj Pulsar NS200 | |
| Engine | 197.75 cc single, air-/oil-cooled | 199 cc single, liquid-cooled |
| Power | 20.54 bhp at 9000 rpm (Urban/Rain Mode: 17.08 bhp at 7800 rpm) | 24.14 bhp at 9750 rpm |
| Torque | 17.25 Nm at 7250 rpm (Urban/Rain Mode: 16.51 Nm at 5750 rpm) | 18.74 Nm at 8000 rpm |
| Gearbox | 5-speed | 6-speed |
No two ways here, the Pulsar has the more technologically superior and powerful engine of the two. It continues to be shared with the KTM 200 Duke and as a result has the sense of manicness and urgency as its Austrian cousin, maybe a little less felt, though, on the Pulsar. And not to mention, the sixth gear is a great saviour on the highway, something that the Apache struggles with since its inception.
That being said, the Apache has the more usable motor of the two for daily commutes. A better spread of torque with a strong mid-range surge means you don’t need to be working the gearbox much in traffic. The engine tends to be more refined of the two as well as frugal. And while it does have the three Riding Modes, we think a bike with such limited performance really doesn’t need softer engine modes. Yes, you can extract more fuel efficiency in Urban or Rain but then that isn’t the ideal reason why you purchase an Apache RTR 200 4V.
| TVS Apache RTR 200 4V | Bajaj Pulsar NS200 | |
| Chassis | Split double cradle | Perimeter |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic fork/USD fork | USD fork |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock | Monoshock |
| Front Tyre Size | 90/90-17 | 100/80-17 |
| Rear Tyre Size | 130/70-17 | 130/70-17 |
| Front Brake | 270 mm disc | 300 mm disc |
| Rear Brake | 240 mm disc | 230 mm disc |
With race track-derived foundations, you could expect the Apache to be firm and a tad bit unbearable on Indian streets. However, that isn’t quite the case. The suspension tune is progressive and confidence inspiring, nearly plush enough to flatten bad road imperfections. Will that be the same with the addition of the USD fork remains to be seen. Actually, the Pulsar has the taut suspension tune. It will definitely be more reactive over broken surfaces and one that will give you constant feedback on the road conditions.
When you are out in the twisties, it is pretty neck and neck. The Apache is the sharper and more focused bike of the two, whereas the Pulsar is the more forgiving. One chink in the Apache’s package remains the brakes, which have improved over time but not close to matching the performance and handling capabilities of the bike.
| TVS Apache RTR 200 4V | Bajaj Pulsar NS200 | |
| Seat Height | 800 mm | 805 mm |
| Kerb Weight | 151 kg | 158 kg |
| Ground Clearance | 180 mm | 168 mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 12 litres | 12 litres |
| Wheelbase | 1353 mm | 1363 mm |
The two bikes are nearly identical in spec but look rather different. This is felt right from the saddle as the Pulsar gives you a feeling that you are seated on the bike with a wide tank while the Apache has in the bike saddle feel. The Apache is also the one with the sportier ergonomics, something that larger or heavy set riders will not find comfy on daily commutes.
| TVS Apache RTR 200 4V | Bajaj Pulsar NS200 | |
| Price (ex-showroom Delhi) | Telescopic fork: ₹1,48,620 USD fork: ₹1,53,990 | ₹1,58,336 |
For now, TVS will continue to sell the telescopic fork version of the RTR 200 4V until stocks last. However, the value proposition between the two bikes shrinks when the more evenly matched variant is taken into consideration. The Apache is the more commuter-oriented yet sharp handling versatile motorcycle with a fair few techy bits on demand. The Pulsar remains a fun-to-rev motorcycle with confidence inspiring handling. So, as a whole experience the Apache still remains a strong favourite but the Pulsar does still manage to put a smile inside the helmet as it did almost a decade ago.
