Bajaj’s upcoming dual-sport motorcycle has been spotted testing again, this time revealing some key details about what to expect on the manufacturer’s first attempt at one. This, combined with a statement from Waldyr Ferreira, the managing director of the company’s Brazil operations, in which he indicated that there could be multiple engine options, suggests the build-up to the launch is shaping up quite nicely.
- Expected to have a 6-speed gearbox
- Rear suspension is a linkage monoshock unit on the test mule
- Expected to launch in Brazil first; India launch in coming months
New details about suspension, gearbox and engine
We appear to have got a glimpse of the ~300cc version
In our earlier report, we claimed the engine could be based on the Pulsar N250’s unit, which itself recently got updated with a four-valve head design and a new 6-speed gearbox. In this new sighting, we see the new 5-inch TFT display now present on multiple Bajaj motorcycles, complemented by the updated switchgear on both sides. This time, we are able to read some of the numbers on the display, the leftmost of which is the gear position indicator that, unmistakably, reads 6, confirming a 6-speed gearbox on the upcoming motorcycle. We believe this reaffirms that the engine and transmission could be based on the N250.
While we expect it to be based on the Pulsar N250 SS, it’s unlikely to be the exact same unit. For one, the engine here has a different exhaust unit altogether and, of course, different routing. It’s an upswept unit, like you’d expect on a dual-sport, as opposed to the N250’s side-slung one. The other hint is that the oil-cooler unit here is mounted vertically to the left side rather than horizontally. That said, it’s still possible that Bajaj is working on a completely new engine for this motorcycle, but it’s likely to be closer to a 250 than a 400. We say this because, a) Bajaj currently has a single 400cc (now 349cc) engine, thanks to the new GST norms; and b) that mill is liquid-cooled, whereas the engine in these images is air- and oil-cooled.
Last time, we were able to spot the right-side-up telescopic fork, but the rear suspension was shrouded, literally. Now, we got a clearer look, and it appears to be a linkage monoshock unit. The suspension units appear to have long travel, as is expected of a dual-sport, but there’s seemingly no adjustment planned for the fork. It’s possible that Bajaj will offer either preload adjustability at the rear as standard or a higher variant with more adjustability at both ends. The previous test unit was spotted wearing Pirelli MT60 tyres at both ends, but this one has CEAT tyres, suggesting this could be the version headed for our market.
Some of the design elements, such as the headlight and the rider and pillion seat pads look vaguely similar to the now discontinued Pulsar N125. However, since this is expected to be a larger-displacement motorcycle, it will likely be larger in size and have more space too compared to the N125. As we said at the beginning, Ferreira had hinted that there could be multiple engine options to choose from, but we believe the smaller displacement will likely be limited to LatAm markets – like Brazil – and it’s more likely to be close to a 160cc unit, not a 125.
Last we heard, Ferreira said to expect a Christmas present from Bajaj, which more than likely means the launch is slated to happen in Brazil (at least) by the end of 2026. India will probably get the motorcycle(s) either around the same time, or in early 2027. Once launched, it will rival other dual-sports like the Hero Xpulse 200 and 210, the upcoming Honda XR300L and XR300 Rally and the Kawasaki KLX 230 and 230 S.
Images: motomaniac_2161 (via Rushlane on Instagram)