Bajaj Pulsar NS125 Review: The Most Affordable Pulsar NS

With the Raider 125 on sale, does the NS125 even make sense? 

• Prices for the NS125 begin from Rs 1,06,355. 
• That slots it above the TVS Raider, but below the KTM 125 Duke. 
• The engine on this is different from the one on the Pulsar 125. 

A few years ago, Bajaj launched the Pulsar 125, which was the cheapest and least powerful Pulsar motorcycle ever released. While we understood the business reasons for it, we felt that Bajaj had made the Pulsar brand less special and we were disappointed.

Now, fast forward to 2021, during the Covid-19 lockdown, Bajaj surprised us again by introducing the Pulsar NS 125. At first, we thought it would be another let-down, but it turned out to be the opposite. In fact, we believe it is the most exciting and practical 125cc motorcycle currently available for purchase. Let us explain why we think so.

Bajaj Pulsar NS125: Design & Features

The Bajaj Pulsar NS125 looks similar to its other NS siblings in terms of design. It has a headlamp inspired by wolves, a strong-looking tank, a solid body, and a split-seat setup, just like the others. However, due to the narrow tires and a slim telescopic fork, the bike's proportions don't quite seem right.

When it comes to features, the Bajaj Pulsar NS125 is quite basic. It doesn't have an LED headlight or a fully digital display. Even the semi-digital console lacks a range indicator and gear position indicator. The halogen headlight and LED tail light are very similar to the ones on the NS160 and NS200.

Bajaj Pulsar NS125: Engine

The Bajaj Pulsar NS125 is equipped with a smaller version of the engine found in the NS160. It has a new 124.45cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine with two valves and a single overhead camshaft. This engine produces 11.99PS of power at 8500rpm and 11Nm of torque at 7000rpm. It is paired with a 5-speed transmission. The new engine is housed within the traditional perimeter frame that is used in all Pulsar NS models.

The motor is also decently frugal and was able to return a respectable fuel efficiency of nearly 57kmpl. Yes it’s not a whole lot when compared to its 125cc rivals, but when you factor in its sportiness, it’s quite decent. 

Bajaj Pulsar NS125: Chassis

When comparing the NS125 to the Pulsar 125, there are a few differences. The NS125 has a longer wheelbase and is 4 kilograms heavier. At first glance, you might think that the NS125 would be more difficult to steer. However, that's not the case because it has a perimeter frame, which is unique to the 125cc class. This frame provides excellent balance and a feeling of lightness, despite its weight. The NS125's agility is also enhanced by its thin tires and mono shock suspension.

The telescopic fork handles bumps and uneven road surfaces well, while the mono shock suspension is set up to be slightly firm. However, it's not so stiff that the rider feels uncomfortable when going over bumps. In terms of braking, the NS125's brakes provide decent bite and feedback.

Bajaj Pulsar NS125: Dimensions

The NS 125’s steering is very responsive, allowing for quick changes in direction, and the NS125 can navigate through traffic with ease. If you're interested in learning how to corner on twisty mountain roads, the NS125 is a suitable choice.

It isn’t a large bike by any means and the spec sheet shows the same. It’s light, compact and very agile making city commutes a whole lot of fun. That said, you’ve to keep the engine in the higher revs to extract the most out of it. Overtaking, hence, will take a downshift or two. 

Bajaj Pulsar NS125: Variants & Price

The Bajaj Pulsar NS125 costs Rs 1,06,355 (ex-showroom Delhi) and comes in four different colors: Beach Blue, Fiery Orange, Burnt Red, and Pewter Grey.

Verdict

The main reason why this bike, the NS125, is important is because of its price. It does cost more than the Pulsar 125, but it's a whole lot cheaper than the NS 160. So Bajaj has filled that gap nicely with this bike. The Pulsar NS125 offers a good balance of fuel efficiency, cost, and performance. Although the performance could have been better, it's not a deal breaker considering its category.

However, the real advantage of the NS125 becomes apparent when you compare it to the KTM Duke 125, which costs considerably more. While the KTM is a more high-end product, the performance difference between the two is mainly noticeable in straight-line speed, and not in many other aspects.