Top Five Highlights Of Bajaj’s Smallest Streetfighter Bike Ever

Almost nine years ago, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 kickstarted the entry-level streetfighter segment in India. This fairly successful story spurred Bajaj to roll out a smaller sibling for the NS200, the NS160 in 2017. Now, to make its Pulsar NS lineup even more accessible, Bajaj has launched its smallest streetfighter offering ever, the Pulsar NS125. Wondering what’s it all about? Here are the top five highlights of the latest Bajaj bike:

Design 

The Pulsar NS125 might be a new offering by the Indian bikemaker but it doesn’t look like one. The design is exactly the same as the NS200 and while many people will adore this, we think it’s pretty done to the death now. Don’t get us wrong, the signature headlamp, pilot lamp, muscular tank design, and LED taillight do look good but an update to the NS’ design is a long time coming now. 

However, to differentiate the 125 from its siblings, Bajaj is offering it in four paint jobs: Beach Blue, Fiery Orange, Burnt Red, and Pewter Grey, all with standout grey alloys and 125 graphics.

Features

Just like its aesthetics, the NS125 gets the same set of not-so-impressive features as its elder siblings. It gets a semi-digital instrument cluster, halogen headlamp, bulb indicators and pilot lamps. The only LED element on the bike is its taillight. As for safety features, only CBS is found. 

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Powering the baby Pulsar NS is a brand-new 124.45cc single-cylinder air-cooled motor (probably a downsized version of the NS160’s heart) that puts out 12PS and 11Nm, around 0.19PS and 0.2Nm more than the Pulsar 125’s unit. Surely, this isn’t at par with the KTM 125 Duke’s specs but the NS makes a better case for itself over the Duke with its lower weight.

Trusty Underpinnings

One of the most impressive bits about Bajaj’s Pulsar NS lineup has been its potent perimeter frame and the same has been carried forward here. It tips the scale at just 144kg, with the frame beingthe heaviest bits of the NS125. To put it into perspective, it is 4kg heavier than the standard Pulsar 125 and 15kg lighter than the KTM 125 Duke. It is sprung on a telescopic fork and a monoshock while a 240mm front disc and 130mm rear drum take care of the braking duties (similar setup as the Pulsar 125). The absence of ABS altogether is a bummer, though, as even Bajaj’s very own commuter bike, the Platina, gets it now!

Pricing

Bajaj has followed the same philosophy that KTM did with the 125 Duke a couple of years ago: bring in the same performance package but with a smaller motor. In that sense, the Pulsar NS125 has a key advantage that makes it a no brainer over the more powerful KTM 125 Duke: its price. Launched at Rs 93,960 (ex-showroom Delhi), it is around Rs 60,000 cheaper than the 125 Duke, which recently received an absurd price hike. 

While the NS is still on the pricier side and you could get some more affordable 125cc bikes that offer much more features at a less price, this is one for the budding enthusiast. Given how the Pulsar NS200’s brash and youthful spirit filtered down to the Pulsar NS160, we guess the Pulsar NS125 will remain similarly peppy and exciting. While it will not be as frugal and commuter-centric as bikes like the Honda Shine, Hero Glamour 125, or even the Pulsar 125, it will surely be a bike for those who want to start to learn sport riding.