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 Waldyr Ferreira’s statement (Brazil’s executive director for the company), in which he indicated that there could be multiple engine options, 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 likely in early 2027
New details about suspension, gearbox and engine
We appear to have gotten a glimpse of the ~300cc version
In our earlier report, we had claimed that 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 spotting, we see the new 5-inch TFT display that’s now present on multiple Bajaj motorcycles, complemented by the updated switch gear on both sides. This time, we’re able to read some of the numbers on the display, the leftmost of which unmistakably reads 6, confirming a 6-speed gearbox on the upcoming motorcycle. We believe this further reaffirms the engine and transmission to 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 as well. 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 being 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 as Bajaj currently has a single 400cc (now 349cc) engine, and 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 preload adjustability at the rear as standard, or a higher variant that offers 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 that this could be the version headed for our market.
We also see the headlight clearly, which looks similar to the now discontinued Pulsar N125’s unit, as does the rider and pillion seat pads. 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) in early 2027, where it will compete with the likes of Hero Xpulse 200 and 210 and the Kawasaki KLX 230 and 230 S to be your first dual-sport.
Images: motomaniac_2161 (via Rushlane on Instagram)
Suraj Sreekumar
Vishal Venugopal
Dinshaw Magol
