Bajaj Pulsar P150 in now on sale in India for Rs 1.17 lakh. We got the bike to ourselves for an entire day to understand how it could replace the old Pulsar. Read our detailed ride review below.
- The P150 is available in two variants - Single Disc & Twin Disc
- Its price ranges between Rs 1.16 - 1.19 lakh (ex-showroom)
- Most of its design & mechanicals resemble the latest Pulsar models
PROS - What We Like!
- Attractive design - looks like bigger Pulsar siblings
- Premium build quality - fit & finish is superior to its rivals
- Feature packed - equipment like projector LED headlight & LED DRLs
- On-point braking system - strong brakes increase confidence
- Subtle riding posture - can easily be used by people of any age group
- Super NVH levels - definitely the most refined product from Bajaj till today
- Widespread torque - riding in higher gears is an easy task
- Lightweight kerb weight - Makes city riding & bumper-to-bumper maneuvering very easy
CONS - What We Don't!
- Cushioning of the seat is hard - could've been better
- The suspension tuning is towards the softer side; especially the rear monoshock
- Lacks connected features like Bluetooth connectivity
- Only Rs 4,000 cheaper than the Pulsar N160
What Is The Pulsar P150?
- Replacement bike for the old Pulsar 150
- Based on elder sibling bikes like N160
- Uses the latest tech
Speaking of the P150, it is a replacement for the old Pulsar 150. Bajaj is trying to refresh its complete Pulsar lineup via the new design. Hence, the P150 has been carved from its elder siblings like the N160. Meanwhile, the aging Pulsar 150 also needed a revamp to stay relevant in the market. Bajaj has designed an all-new chassis with a toned-down engine from the N160 altogether. The P150 is likely to remain the star bike of the brand in India.
Pulsar P150 - Design & Features
- Based largely on the Pulsar N160 design
- Features a newly developed chassis
- The list of features is also more or less the same as N160
- One of the lightest bikes in its segment
The first glance at the P150 gives the exact idea of what it is based. Yes, the design elements look familiar to the Pulsar N160. At the front, the P150 gets an LED projector headlight with LED DRLs. The smoked headlight glass makes its overall appeal on road very attractive. Additionally, the blacked-out cowl looks cool too. The bike's overall quality is supreme - never seen on any Bajaj before by us. The fit & finish is also at par with the segment's best. Meanwhile, the graphics & body panel design comprehend an aggressive design appeal.
Bajaj has used a blacked-out theme for the engine & mechanicals. Additionally, it comes with 17-inch gunmetal grey alloy wheels and tubeless tyes. As the P150 is offered in two variants - Single Disc & Twin Disc; the tyre size is different on both. The twin disc that we rode came with chunky tyres. Also, the twin disc version comes with clip-on handlebars, a slipt-seat setup, & twin grab rails for the pillion. All of the above said things are missed out on the single-disc version. The twin disc gets a 260mm front & 230mm rear disc brake setup.
Meanwhile, the features list is also decent. The rear end gets twin-stripe LED taillights with halogen indicators. Additionally, a USB charger option has been embedded underneath the handlebar. Bajaj has fitted its infinity display instrument console from the N160 on it. The P150 has a semi-digital display with a tachometer & MID screen. It displays all the necessary info including the distance-to-empty tab.
Pulsar P150 - Engine & Specifications
- Gets a toned-down engine from the N160
- New gearbox & lightweight chassis
- Lightest in its segment
Bajaj claims that it has developed an all-new chassis for the P150. This fact can be felt from the go itself as the bike is only 140 kg in kerb weight. This makes the P150 the lightest in its segment. Meanwhile, the lighter chassis also holds some interesting mechanical bits. For example, the underbelly exhaust & monoshock rear suspension is first in the segment. Hence, Bajaj has tried its best to embed max tech in the latest Pulsar.
Bajaj has used the Pulsar N160 engine on the new P150. However, this engine has been toned down by redesigning the bore & stroke of the 160. Hence, its total capacity is now fixed at 149.68cc. It is a single-cylinder engine that uses air-cooling and makes a peak power of 14.29 bhp. Its peak torque stands at 13.5 Nm. A slick 5-speed gearbox has been fitted along with this engine. Additionally, the claimed fuel economy by ARAI certification is 49 kmpl. It is 5 kmpl more than the heavy N160.
The Riding Experience - Good or Bad?
- Feels extremely light & user-friendly from the go
- The riding posture is slightly more aggressive but more comfortable than the old Pulsar
- NVH levels are supremely high - remain unshaken even at high RPMs
- The gearbox is slick & fast - leads to good fuel economy
- Widespread torque helps in achieving high fuel economy in the city
The first thing to notice after sitting on the saddle is the lightweight chassis. Bajaj has done a wonderful job by making it one light bike. Due to its lightweight, it is now more user-friendly for aged people. Additionally, its generic yet distinctive looks make it more desirable. Start the engine and its quiet NVH levels will surprise you. The new 149.68cc engine is super refined. It comes with a 5-speed gearbox with a universal shift pattern. Slot the first gear and the transmission also surprises you well with its quick & slick behaviour.
The gear ratios are smaller to keep the bike in powerband most of the time. However, the first gear feels weak in the bottom end as you'll find yourselves using a half-clutch a bit more than usual. Furthermore, the smaller gears mean that open-road performance isn't very ballistic. However, it isn't slow either. The P150 can quickly overtake slow-moving trucks & other traffic easily. Hence, the performance is adequate but not meant for adrenaline lovers who all like the top-end RPM rush.
Soft suspension translates into a comfortable ride. Additionally, the broken roads are handled very maturely by it. All thanks to the rear monoshock suspension which is first in its segment. Meanwhile, the 260mm front disc brake and 230mm rear disc brake inspire the rider to stop the bike anywhere and on any tarmac. The underbelly exhaust can deliver a raspy sound that will be surely loved by young buyers. Speaking of its cruising abilities, the P150 can do 75-85 kmph all day long. It is after the 85 kmph mark that this engine starts to feel like going out of breath. Amazingly, it doesn't feel strained even at those speeds.
P150 Rivals - If Not This Then What?
The 150cc segment is one of the busiest segments of bikes in India. It falls right above the commuter bikes and offers tech as well as performance. The old Pulsar has been a testament in this segment & the P150 is suspected to take it further. However, the rivals are also consistently updating themselves. Speaking of its competition - TVS Apache RTR 160 2V (Rs 1.13 - 1.16 lakh), Hero Xtreme 160R (Rs 1.19 - 1.30 lakh), & Honda Unicorn (Rs 1.05 lakh)are its direct rivals in India. Meanwhile, the P150 has brought a fresh flair to the segment with its radical and all-new design. Rather than an evolution, the P150 is an upgrade.
Verdict - Why Buy It?
- A good alternative to the N160
- Looks amazing
- Widespread after-sales service network of Bajaj
- Fresh design appeal
Bajaj Pulsar 150 was launched 20 years ago in India. For more than 2 decades, the Pulsar brand has been one of the top-selling bikes in its segment. It is widely loved for its aggressive design, performance, & mix of decent fuel economy. Moreover, the presence of Bajaj ASCs in tier-2 & tier-3 cities has also encouraged buyers over time. But, the P150 is not just another replacement. Knowing the fact that the Pulsar is a huge brand; Bajaj has carefully thought before designing & launching the P150.
The Pulsar P150 is hardly Rs 4,000 cheaper than the big N160. It gets a lighter chassis, refined engine, & good build quality. Further, the P150 carries the symbolism of the old-gen Pulsar as it is. The narrative of making the performance category affordable is still the same as Bajaj. Additionally, the P150 has brought a change of flair in a subtle manner. It is refined, it looks mature, & the transition is a lot smoother with time for the Pulsar brand. The new P150 is a Pulsar that can be ridden by any age group. It has ditched the image of a college youngster's favorite & has grown towards the mass appeal. The P150 delivers everything in the right amount. However, if you need more; Bajaj has elder Pulsar siblings for you.
The P150 is a no-nonsense sports commuter bike. It is feature loaded, it performs quickly, it is refined, it delivers good fuel economy, & it has the iconic Pulsar badge on it. Tell us by commenting whether the P150 is a hit or miss according to you.
Pulsar P150 Video Review
If you've read the detailed ride review & still want more; we've more. Tejen from our team tested the P150 in flesh. We've uploaded its detailed ride review on our 91Wheels YouTube channel. You can watch the complete review by clicking on the video below. For more such interesting & unbiased automotive reviews SUBSCRIBE to our YT channel.
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