We have learned from dealer sources that the Bajaj Pulsar 220F is set to make a comeback to the Indian market very soon. Units of the resurrected motorcycle have already begun to arrive at dealerships, with deliveries slated to begin in the next week or two.
While prices haven’t been officially announced yet, we have learned that the Pulsar 220F is likely to be priced around the Rs 1.35 lakh mark (ex-showroom), which isn’t too far from its price when it was taken off the Bajaj website last year. This will place it slightly below its Pulsar stablemates, the NS200 and N250.
The reason for its discontinuation then was the introduction of the new-gen Pulsars in the form of the N250 and F250, which are the spiritual successors to the 220F. At the time, Bajaj said that the 220F was still enjoying healthy demand in certain pockets of the country, which is why it would be phased out in a gradual manner, rather than at once. Now, it seems Bajaj has decided to continue catering to this demand.
It is not yet clear whether the reintroduction of the Pulsar 220F will be a nationwide affair, or limited to certain pockets. The majority of the dealers who are receiving the latest units of the bike seem to be in the South of the country. Some dealers have already received units, others say they are due to receive bikes in the next 3 to 4 days, suggesting that deliveries are not too far off.
As for updates to the bike, Bajaj will not need to do much, since the 220F was already BS6-compliant when it was discontinued. What this should mean is an air-/oil-cooled 220cc fuel-injected motor producing 20.9hp at 8,500rpm and 18.5Nm of torque at 7,000rpm. However, it will need to feature OBD2 on-board diagnostic technology, as will all two-wheelers sold in India from April 1, 2023. The colours and graphics schemes on the bikes that have begun reaching dealers at the moment also seem to be very similar to those that were offered on the model when it was earlier on sale.
Image source: Susee Bajaj Tuticorin
Rishaad Mody
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
