Bajaj Pulsar 150 Review: Likeable But Dated

The Pulsar 150 is the second smallest Pulsar in Bajaj’s lineup, after the Pulsar 125. 

• The Pulsar 150’s 150cc air-cooled engine pumps out a decent 14PS and 13.4Nm. 
• In its 2023 iteration, the bike gets a BS6 2.0 engine, the only major update it gets.
• While its looks haven’t changed over the years, the Pulsar 150 is still quite a good looking bike. 

The Bajaj Pulsar 150, a significant motorcycle that made its debut on Indian roads in the early 2000s, continues to remain relevant even after 16 years. With each successive generation, it has managed to incorporate new features and maintain its appeal. The bike offers a combination of impressive features, stylish design, everyday usability, and powerful performance, all at an attractive price point, making it a great value for money option.

However, despite its popularity as the leading 150cc bike in India, the Pulsar 150 started to feel outdated compared to its newer competitors. How does it feel to ride though? That’s what we’ve tried to answer through this road test.

Bajaj Pulsar 150: Design & Features

The Pulsar 150 has maintained its iconic design throughout the years, characterized by its aggressive-looking front end, muscular fuel tank, flowing body lines, sleek tail section, and appealing colour options. The overall aesthetic gives the bike a sporty appearance, which has contributed to its popularity.

In terms of the instrument cluster, the Bajaj Pulsar 150 features a semi-digital layout. This cluster includes essential information such as the speedometer, odometer, trip-meters, fuel gauge, and standard tell-tale lights. The backlit switchgear adds a touch of convenience and ease of use for the rider. Additionally, the bike comes equipped with a single-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) as a standard safety feature.

When it comes to lighting, the Pulsar 150 incorporates a combination of halogen and LED units. The headlight setup consists of a main headlight with two pilot lamps, accompanied by halogen-powered blinkers. On the other hand, the tail lamp unit utilizes LED technology, which not only enhances visibility but also adds a modern touch to the bike's rear design.

Bajaj Pulsar 150: Engine

One of the most significant highlights of the new Pulsar 150 is its compliance with the stringent BS-IV emission norms. While other manufacturers were considering the addition of fuel injection to meet these norms, Bajaj took a different approach. Instead of incorporating fuel injection, Bajaj enhanced the CDI (Capacitor Discharge Ignition) unit by adding more maps.

In the previous engine, the CDI unit had two maps, but in the new engine, Bajaj increased it to five maps. This strategic decision allowed Bajaj to ensure that the new Pulsar 150 meets the BS-IV 2.0 emission standards without the need for fuel injection, which would have significantly increased the cost of the bike. 

Bajaj Pulsar 150: Chassis

The Bajaj Pulsar 150 maintains its comfortable riding position with clip-on handlebars and pegs positioned in the centre, allowing for an upright posture while riding. However, the clip-on bars are slightly higher in the new model. Bajaj provided an older Pulsar 150 for comparison, and the improvements in the new motorcycle were noticeable right away.

Bajaj Pulsar 150: Dimensions

During our testing, we conducted a rolling start from 20 km/h in 5th gear on both the old and new Bajaj Pulsar 150 models. Surprisingly, the new Pulsar 150 pulled ahead faster in this scenario. One notable improvement in the new engine is the crisper and more direct throttle response. The engine noise has also been significantly reduced, resulting in a quieter ride.

Bajaj Pulsar 150: Price

The Bajaj Pulsar 150 is available in two variants: Single Disc and Twin Disc. The Single Disc variant is priced at Rs 1,17,440, while the Twin Disc variant costs Rs 1,20,442 (prices are ex-showroom Delhi).

Both variants are offered in three paint scheme options: Sparkle Black Red, Sparkle Black Blue, and Sparkle Black Silver. These colour options provide customers with a choice to select the one that appeals to their personal preferences.

Verdict

The most significant improvement in the new 150cc motorcycle is its enhanced refinement and reduced noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels. This improvement is particularly beneficial for city riding, especially at slow speeds. However, it would have been desirable to see some new styling elements that differentiate the motorcycle from its predecessor. Additionally, better quality levels in terms of fit and finish would have further enhanced the overall appeal of the bike.