Bajaj has finally decided to change its game and dip into the middle-capacity segment of motorcycles. Not only will this be a bike with a larger displacement than any of the company’s current models, it will also be the most powerful motorcycle to roll out of the Bajaj stables. This new motorcycle will be labelled the CS 400, where the ‘CS’ stands for Cruiser Sport. It derives inspiration from the likes of the Ducati Diavel, in terms of styling as well as ergonomics. However, unlike the Diavel – which is a power-cruiser or muscle-bike if you will – the CS 400 will be a smaller, more accessible bike that is more touring-focused.
In terms of styling, the CS 400 does not adopt a conventional cruiser look but instead aims at being a modern hybrid between a cruiser and a street fighter. Staying true to its low stance, it sports a slightly raked out front end that is adept for highway cruising, but to a lesser degree than you would expect to see on most regular cruisers. The front cowl is pretty neatly designed, with a swept-back visor and an all-new LED headlight setup. Despite the model first displayed at the Auto Expo sporting USD forks up front, the production version will come equipped with regular telescopic forks instead. The rear will come shod with a mono-shock setup as witnessed on the bike first shown.
In subsequence to its Diavel inspiration, the CS 400 will also have the same sort of split instrument cluster setup; with one unit mounted on the handlebars, and the other mounted on the tank. This will also be the first time a motorcycle from Bajaj will sport an all-digital instrument cluster. The tank looks muscular and sports contours that appear to have been inspired from the older Bajaj NS 200. All of this flows quite well into the nice long seat that looks to be ideal for those stretched-out saddle hours. The tail section is upswept and ends abruptly, and the tail-lamps have the signature Pulsar twin-slash LED setup, similar to what the Diavel sports. The CS 400 will have a fairly chunky box-section swingarm which should with a long-ish wheelbase aid in high-speed stability. Of course, this could sacrifice flickability and a light-weight, but we still have to see what this all new chassis from Bajaj is all about.
Similar to what Bajaj did with the KTM 200 and Pulsar 200 motors, the CS 400’s engine will be derived from the fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, 373cc single-cylinder mill from the KTM 390s. Apart from the basic engine structure, the Bajaj version will have a different setup in a different state of tune, to better suit its touring purposes. While incorporating Bajaj’s signature triple-spark technology, the CS 400 is expected to produce about 40hp of peak power and around 30Nm of torque, which will be transferred to the rear wheel through a six-speed gearbox. Even though its power output will be down from the KTM 390’s 44hp, the CS 400 is expected to have more tractable power for low-speed usability and highway cruising. Much like the current-gen Pulsars, it will be also equipped with disc brakes at both front and rear. From what we’ve heard, Bajaj has incorporated single-channel ABS into the CS 400. But due to the higher power output of this bike and keeping in mind the mandatory ABS laws coming in 2018, this single-channel ABS will come as standard, while it’s possible that the dual-channel might be offered as an option.
Staying true to affordable pricing offered by Bajaj, the CS 400 should cost somewhere between Rs. 1.6 to 1.7 lakh, with production costs kept low by possibly borrowing some components from the Pulsar RS 200. These near-400cc Pulsars are highly anticipated by the Indian biker crowd. But while most believed that the full-faired SS/RS 400 would be the first of these to see the light of day, the overwhelming response that Bajaj got for the CS at Auto Expo 2014 saw this muscular cruiser being prepped for launch first. Expect the CS400 to be out sometime in the third quarter of 2016.
