Bajaj has rolled out its first all-new Pulsars in a very long time, in the form of the Pulsar N250 and F250. We take a look at how these two new bikes compare on paper to the competition. Bajaj has always been an expert at curating a vast line-up of neatly differentiated, similarly-priced motorcycles, so it’s no surprise that the rivals list for the new Pulsars consists of three other Bajaj bikes: the Pulsar 220F (which they are the spiritual successors to), the Pulsar NS200, and the Dominar 250. Also on this list is the Yamaha FZ 25, which is almost identical in terms of price and specification.
The 250cc class also contains the Suzuki Gixxer 250, but that’s over Rs 30,000 more expensive and therefore unlikely to feature on the candidate list for someone shopping around the Rs 1.40 lakh mark, which is where these motorcycles exist. For this sort of money, you could also get something like a TVS Apache RTR 200 4V, which, though more feature-rich, is down on displacement and output.
Bajaj Pulsar N250, F250 vs rivals: engine
Let’s start off with the heart of the matter: the engines. There is a clear distinction among these motorcycles: the Dominar 250 and the Pulsar NS200 both feature more advanced liquid-cooled engines with a DOHC 4-valve configuration and 6-speed gearboxes, while the rest feature more basic air- and oil-cooled motors with 2-valve heads and 5-speed ‘boxes. The new Pulsars do pull out a trump card, joining the Dominar to become the only bikes here with a slip-and-assist clutch.
Thanks to its technical supremacy and joint-largest displacement figure, it’s the Dominar 250 that pumps out the most power and torque here, though it is also the heaviest bike by quite a margin, so it won’t necessarily be the quickest of this lot. The NS200 also has a high specific output, and matches the new 250cc Pulsars for power, but it’s down on torque, and produces its peak figures quite high in the rev-range. This is an engine that needs to be worked hard in order to extract the maximum out of it.
The new Pulsars put out a respectable 24.5hp and 21.5Nm, making them considerably more powerful than their most direct rival, the FZ 25, which produces rather modest output figures. It is the earliest to deliver its peak figures, though, and the lightest bike here, so it does feel quicker in the real world than its spec sheet suggests. The Pulsar 220F now definitely shows its age, and it isn’t helped by the displacement handicap either – it is the least powerful motorcycle here.
Bajaj Pulsar N250, F250 vs rivals: chassis
The distinction from the engine department carries over to the chassis department, too. Because the Dominar and the NS200 are the only bikes here to sport perimeter frames, while the rest make do with more basic tubular steel designs. None of these bikes are meant to be rabid apex-hunters, so a tubular steel frame isn’t necessarily a massive drawback. What can be appreciated is the dual-channel ABS on the Dominar and FZ 25, while all the others only offer a single-channel system. With an upside down fork and 1,453mm wheelbase, the Dominar makes its power cruiser intentions clear, while the Pulsar 220F shows its age, with dual shock absorbers, the smallest front disc brake, and the skinniest tyres here.
Bajaj Pulsar N250, F250 vs rivals: features
It’s surprising that even in 2021, when 125cc scooters are being equipped with features like Bluetooth connectivity, none of the bikes on this list get the technology. Highlights here are the LED projector headlights seen on the FZ and the new Pulsars, while the Dominar features an LED reflector design. The three Pulsars here get semi-digital instrumentation with analogue tachometers, while the other two bikes fully commit to the digital route.
Bajaj Pulsar N250, F250 vs rivals: price and verdict
The Dominar 250 demands a distinct price premium over the other models here, for which it offers the highest engine output figures and the most substantial looking motorcycle. The rest of the bikes are quite closely matched in terms of price. The Pulsar NS200 is not only the most affordable bike on this list, but also arguably the best performing, and if high performance is your top priority, then that’s the bike to go for. The Pulsar 220F is quite expensive for what it offers, and the new Pulsar 250s, at just Rs 4,000-6,000 more, offer a distinctly improved, more modern package, and one that’s also slightly better (on paper) to the Yamaha FZ 25.
Ved Janve
Azaman Chothia
Dinshaw Magol
Vishal Venugopal
