Bajaj’s Baby Streetfighter Reviewed Through Images

Not long ago, Bajaj took the market by surprise and launched the Pulsar NS125. We recently swung a leg over it and here’s what we think about it.

Right off the bat, the Pulsar NS125 looks like any other Pulsar NS. The sleek headlamp, muscular tank shrouds, and edgy tail end, all come from its elder siblings, making it well slotted in its family. 

What helps it stand out from them are its alloy wheels and chassis are finished in an anodised grey shade here.

For added exclusivity, you also get four new colour choices: Beach Blue, Fiery Orange, Burnt Red, and Pewter Grey. 

All in all, even though NS125's styling is almost a decade old, it’s a fresh face in the 125cc segment and we like it for that. 

Like its elder siblings, the NS125 isn’t a feature-rich motorcycle by any means. But we feel it’s decently equipped for its class, thanks to the digital LCD instrument cluster and backlit switches. 

What the NS125 actually excels at, though, is performance. Now 12PS and 11Nm aren’t much but the 124.5cc single-cylinder motor derived from the NS160, does a good job on the go.

It feels free-revving and sharp while riding in comparison to the Pulsar 125, and also offers a punchier mid-range. Moreso, our feelings were backed up by the V-BOX, since the NS125 was over a second quicker than the Pulsar 125 from 0 to 80kmph.

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Once you hit the highway, the small motor shows its size. We could manage cruising speeds of 70-80kmph, but with many vibrations creeping through the pegs and handlebar.  

While this can get irritating after a point, what helped us keep our cool was impressive mileage. Answering the “Kitna Deti Hai?’ question, the Pulsar NS125 returned an impressive 64.75kmpl in the city while this dropped to 56.46kmpl on the highway. 

Now one of the USPs of the bigger NS bikes have been their riding dynamics, and since this one uses the same chassis, we had high hopes. Did the NS125 deliver? The answer is a big yes, courtesy of the perimeter frame. 

The sharp dynamics are also aided by the skinnier tyres, clip-on handlebar, and the slightly stiff set up preload adjustable monoshock. All these bits help the NS125 mask its extra 4kg heft, compared to the Pulsar 125. 

Speaking of clip-ons, the riding posture of the NS125 is sporty yet comfortable. However, the 805mm seat height might be a little tall for some. 

Nevertheless, the NS125 will surely instil confidence into newer riders and help them master the art of cornering.

Helping you cut down speed are single disc brakes at both ends. Now they’re not the best in the class, but they do a decent job in terms of bite and feel. A bummer here is the absence of ABS altogether, which is a lifesaver for inexperienced riders.

So, does the NS125 strike the perfect balance between a commuter and a streetfighter? Well, yes. Sure, the extra Rs 20,000 over the Pulsar 125 is a little steep but the only 125cc that’s more fun than the NS125 is the KTM 125 Duke, which costs a massive Rs 72,000 more than it.