Bajaj Pulsar N250SS review: Good bike made great

Bajaj has been on a roll lately, launching all-new models and updated versions of existing bikes left, right and centre. The Pulsar N250SS is a model that falls squarely into the latter category. Very basically, the SS adds a more powerful 4-valve engine, a 6-speed gearbox, fatter tyres, more electronics and new colours to the N250.

Bajaj Pulsar N250SS Performance - 9/10

Newfound highway manners don’t come at the expense of city friendliness

The updated 249cc engine now makes 25hp at 9,400rpm and 22Nm of torque at 7,500rpm compared to the 2-valve N250’s 24.5hp at 8,750rpm and 21.5Nm of torque at 6,750rpm. While the output gains are rather modest on paper and the engine has become a little peakier, in the real world, it’s actually quite flexible. No matter what situation you find yourself in, whether it is city traffic or an open highway, the N250SS’s engine is up for the task. While the bike was always a good companion inside the city, its newfound stress-free highway manners bolster its case.

At a speedo-indicated 95-100kph, the engine is utterly smooth and relaxed, with the added 6th gear playing its part here. You can even get up to an indicated 110kph with just a mild tingle in the handlebar – very commendable performance for an air/oil-cooled engine of this displacement.

Bajaj has also endowed the N250SS with its 5-inch TFT display as well as ride-by-wire, which brings in five riding modes, traction control and a slick bidirectional quickshifter. For a bike making just 25hp, we felt that the top Sport mode was perfectly usable in all situations, although newer riders will appreciate the lower modes and the traction control system, especially in inclement weather.

Bajaj Pulsar N250SS Ride and Handling - 9/10

Retains its comfortable ride and neutral handling

The SS variant also has fatter tyres with a 110-section front and 140-section rear, which is 10mm more at both ends than the earlier model. As a result of all these changes, the bike is heavier by a kilo, now tipping the scales at 165kg. Nonetheless, this is still a very approachable and easy-to-ride machine that will suit its intended role as a sporty commuter down to a tee.

Bajaj Pulsar N250SS Price and Verdict - 9/10

At Rs 1.59 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the N250SS costs Rs 14,000 more than the 2-valve version, which is a fair premium considering what’s on offer. However, for someone shopping in this price-conscious sector of the market, one can’t ignore that this bike’s VFM proposition is not as strong as before. Aside from that, the SS treatment of the Pulsar N250SS has made a good bike great, and if you are in the market for a sporty commuter, it definitely warrants your attention.