Bajaj Pulsar 150:One of the many reasons why the Indian car market is so difficult is that many people are reluctant to move on. This explains why so many “classic” automobile models continued to be sold even after their significantly better replacements were introduced. There are also many excellent examples in the motorcycle market, with some of the best models falling between 150 and 160 cc. For instance, Honda had to work very hard to make the new-generation Unicorn look exactly like the previous model since the Unicorn 160 was initially met with stiff resistance from consumers. The continued success of the outdated Apache RTR 160 2V in numerous sizable northern and eastern markets serves as yet another excellent illustration.
The story behind the bike you see here is quite similar. Although Bajaj Pulsar already sells the latest Pulsar N160, the company was forced to produce a new Bajaj Pulsar 150 due to the overwhelming demand from the market. In an attempt to produce a bike that is both slightly sportier and more commuter-friendly than the N160, the N160 has been replaced with a new chassis and engine.
Bajaj Pulsar 150: Design
The most recognisable aspect of this pulsar is how much it resembles the N160 and N250 pulsars. This is because its body panels are identical to those of those two bikes; the only thing that sets them apart is the headlamp design, which is different (it has an LED projector headlamp, which is nice). This time, the straightforward yet attractive “infinity” instrument console that made its debut on the 250 Pulsars is protected by a tiny cowl.
Considering all the similarities, our opinions about the new-generation Pulsar’s appearance haven’t altered: while it’s a well-executed design, it lacks the mass and power that one would anticipate from a motorcycle bearing this recognisable name. However, compared to the previous Pulsars, the quality and finish levels are a noticeable improvement and more than sufficient for this market.
Bajaj Pulsar 150: New Chassis
Bajaj went to great measures to make the Pulsar P150 easier to ride and more comfortable than the N160, which was the main goal from the start. Weight reduction is the primary goal of the new chassis design. This bike weighs 9 kg less than the previous Bajaj Pulsar 150 and up to 14 kg less than the new Pulsar N160, at 140 kg (141 kg for the dual-disc model). The engine, the chassis, and the 14-liter fuel tank—which holds one litre less than the previous 150—have all contributed to the weight savings.
The Bajaj Pulsar 150 feels incredibly light and agile when driving, but it never gets tense or hesitant. This indicates that it has outstanding traffic manoeuvrability, but if you do choose to take some turns, you’ll also discover that it handles much better than it did previously. The heavy and somewhat disconnected feeling of the old Pulsars has been relegated to the annals of history, though it’s still not a sharp and sporty thing. Similar to other bikes in this class, the front brake has a dull bite at first, but as you pull the lever in further, the performance becomes reassuring.
The choice Bajaj Pulsar 150 made regarding rider ergonomics intrigues me. The split-seat model we’re riding has foot pegs that are positioned somewhat rearward, which puts the rider in a more committed riding position than I would have thought. Considering that the bike is positioned as a more comfort-focused tool, this does feel strange. especially considering that, in contrast to the N160, which has a single-piece handlebar, this bike’s suspension is softer and plusher over rough terrain.
Choosing the single-seat model is one way to get past this. In addition to having a different seat, it has a single-piece handlebar that is taller and flatter, which helps the rider to sit more comfortably and upright. The foot pegs are also positioned more comfortably. The only drawbacks are the slimmer rear tyre (100-section vs. 110 on the twin disc model) and rear drum brake (the split-seat variant has a rear disc). Nevertheless, I would gladly accept this compromise in exchange for the comfort I would anticipate from the more sensible Pulsar.
Bajaj Pulsar P150: Engine, Performance
The new engine for the 150 has elements of both the older Pulsar 150 and the more recent 160, but it also has some differences. With the new architecture seen in the N160, this air-cooled engine has the same 56 x 60.7 bore x stroke ratio as the previous Pulsar 150. This shows that it has the state-of-the-art refinement that has become characteristic of the new Pulsars and that this motor is significantly better than the previous Pulsar in that specific area. It’s so good that I wouldn’t be shocked if it were the smoothest engine in the class.
It is only marginally more powerful than the old 150, producing 14.5 horsepower and 13.5 Nm, and about 1.5 horsepower and 1.1 Nm less than the N160. The Pulsar P150 has a 0–60 time of 6.3 seconds and a 0-100 time of 21.13 seconds, making it not the fastest bike in the class. However, considering its usefulness as an efficient and comfortable urban commuter, that fact doesn’t really matter. And the engine does its best work there, to its credit.
The low and mid-range sections are where the fun is, just like with the new N160. Although the engine redlines at about 9,500 rpm, you won’t really want to go that high because it pulls well practically everywhere in the rev range. The fact that you can ride at 30 kph in fifth gear without the engine complaining is proof that this is all about effortless city performance. According to Bajaj, internal testing yields a 49 kpl overall real-world fuel efficiency. That is comparable to our test results, which showed 48 kpl on the highway (maintaining speeds between 65 and 75 kph) and 43 kpl in the city, both through traffic that is normally heavy in Mumbai.
Bajaj Pulsar 150: Features
When it comes to feature-rich motorcycles, Bajaj doesn’t exactly lead the pack, but it does often provide some pretty significant features. For instance, the LED projector headlamp is a segment first and performs fairly well, albeit not as well as the N160 unit. Although the bike lacks Bluetooth capability, it does have a handy USB charging port and single-channel ABS as standard.
Bajaj Pulsar 150: Price, Conclusion
The twin-disc model costs Rs 1.2 lakh (ex-showroom), while the single-disc model costs Rs 1.17 lakh. With those prices, it is roughly Rs 6000–10,000 less expensive than the Pulsar N160 and marginally more reasonably priced than the motorcycle it is attempting to replace, the TVS Apache RTR 160 2V. We plan to find out soon if it is able to accomplish that, but based on our experience with the P150, it is a smooth, cosy, and fun motorcycle for city riding.
Bajaj Pulsar 150 Review on You-Tube
Also Read: Experience Innovation: TVS X Launches Exciting New Model in India