KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Bajaj Pulsar NS 125: priced at R 1.01 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
- 124.45cc engine, which claims 11.8 bhp and 11 Nm.
- LED headlamp and a full LCD instrument console to the motorcycle.
- It is a pocket rocket and a true Pulsar despite having a puny 125cc engine.
When Bajaj Auto launched the Pulsar NS 125, a section of netizens was unhappy with the NS brand trickling down into the 125cc category. However, the Bajaj Pulsar NS 125 reiterated the performance 125cc commuter segment, which has seen much action with newer offerings from Hero MotoCorp and TVS. With Pulsar pedigree in its desirability and performance, is the Pulsar NS 125 the sportiest sub-125cc motorcycle you can buy in India? Or is it worth skipping for a more premium 150cc sports commuter? We find out. Before moving ahead, join our 91Wheels WhatsApp Community to stay updated on the latest automotive news.
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2024 Bajaj Pulsar NS 125 Pros
Striking sporty design
In terms of design, the Bajaj Pulsar NS 125 is based on the Pulsar NS 200, which has been in the market for more than a decade now. However, despite this, the Pulsar NS 125 looks fresh, thanks to its aggressive streetfighter design and the colour updates it received over the NS 200.
Competition check: Like the Pulsar NS 125, the TVS Raider 125 and Hero Xtreme 125R also have aggressive-looking streetfighter looks.
Premium mechanical hardware
Sharing its perimeter frame with the Pulsar NS 200, the Bajaj Pulsar NS 125 was the first 125cc motorcycle in India to receive a mono-shock suspension at the rear. This premium frame and suspension setup gave the Pulsar NS 125 an edge over other conventional 125cc commuters, making it feel sportier to ride and have more agile handling.
Competition check: The direct rivals of the Pulsar NS 125Raider 125 and Xtreme 125Ralso have a rear mono-shock, though only the Pulsar NS 125 has a perimeter frame.
Peppy and powerful engine
When the Bajaj Pulsar NS 125 debuted, it shattered all the performance records for a 125cc motorcycle, claiming the highest power and torque outputs for a mass-oriented 125cc commuter motorcycle. Like all the other Pulsars, the NS 125 also has raw power, which gives it spontaneous acceleration with a punchy midrange.
Competition check: The Pulsar NS 125's single-cylinder, air-cooled, 124.45cc engine produces 11.8 bhp and 11 Nm, which makes it more powerful than both TVS Raider 125 and Hero Xtreme 125R.
New feature updates
While the Pulsar NS 125 always had a great sense of sportiness in its looks, it only became more premium with the recent update, which added newer features like an all-LED headlamp and a full-LCD instrument console.
Competition check: Like the Pulsar NS 125, the TVS Raider 125 and Hero Xtreme 125R have a full-LCD instrument console, LED headlamps and tail lamps, and LED turn indicators.
2024 Bajaj Pulsar NS 125 Cons
NVH levels at higher RPMs
The Bajaj Pulsar NS 125 delivers raw power and exhilarating acceleration for a 125cc motorcycle. However, the refinement levels, especially at higher RPMs, don't feel as impressive as the motorcycle's power delivery, with vibrations creeping near triple-digit speeds.
Competition check: At lower city speeds, the refinement levels of the Pulsar NS 125 are as decent as those of the TVS Raider 125 and Hero Xtreme 125R.
Stiff ride quality
The Bajaj Pulsar NS 125's sporty handling, due to a slightly stiffer suspension setup and a performance-oriented perimeter frame, also makes its overall ride quality a bit firmer. The ride quality can feel stiffer over small potholes and irregular surfaces at relatively higher speeds.
Competition check: The suspension setups of the TVS Raider 125 and Hero Xtreme 125R feel less stiff than those of the Pulsar NS 125.
Expensive pricing
At Rs 1.01 lakh, the Bajaj Pulsar NS 125 is one of the most expensive 125cc motorcycles, but it doesn't feel as value-for-money as its similarly priced sporty rivals, which offer more features for the price.
Competition check: The Bajaj Pulsar NS 125 is slightly more expensive than the TVS Raider 125 and Hero Xtreme 125R, which have a relatively lower starting price of around Rs 95,000.
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Verdict
Following the traditional values of the other Pulsar NS models, the Bajaj Pulsar NS 125 has a powerful engine with which to fall in love, and it also has the show to match its go. With its perimeter frame and sporty suspension setup, it is also the benchmark in handling, though it needs more features to justify its premium pricing over its better-equipped rivals.
