Bajaj Pulsar 125: IN the midst of the slug fest in the Indian motorcycle market, Bajaj Auto has once again shown that its concern for offering value for money bikes is something which is unmatched by its competitors with the launch of the Pulsar 125.
The aggressive looking entry-level sports machine boasts stunning sporty looks, and a range of three dynamic colour options contrasted with blacked out style model offering low rate finance and ready for it race series.
The Pulsar 125 has emerged the preferred option for the young band of riders who are looking at performance-inspired styling at an affordable price.
Bajaj Pulsar 125 Design Philosophy: Sport on Budget
The new generation Pulsar 125 maintains the design philosophy of the Pulsar clan, which has become an industry and cult benchmark and the sportiest lineage in the country.
The bike is equipped with a beefy fuel tank which flows into a split seat design, offering a clear sports bike like stance. The modern looking sharp, angular headlamp with LED DRL adds style to its affordable price.
A set of clip-on handlebars offer the feeling that one with the bike, along with its sporty look. Daytona 675 has split seats, a sleek tail section as well as alloy wheels that go with its sportiness. However, for a budget position however, Bajaj has not compromised on the styling that younger riders expect.
Price Point Revolution
Read: Top 5 Highlights of Bajaj Pulsar 125 The Pulsar 125, for its part, comes across as a value-for-money proposition. It’s available at an ex-showroom starting price of Rs. 94,707, making it more affordable than most of its competitors in a segment known for packing in features usually associated with bikes at a higher price point.
This price fighter model has rippled through the entry-level sports market and competitors have been forced to re-evaluate their offerings.
The value goes far beyond the low cost of entry. The bike’s outstanding mileage, claimed over 55 kmpl in real-world riding, goes a long way in cutting down on running costs. With Super-low maintenance and readily available spare parts, the Pulsar 125 offers an extremely affordable ownership experience.
Engine Performance
Beneath the chic skin is a sophisticated 124.45cc air-cooled engine that generates 11.8 PS of power at 8,000 rpm and 10.8 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm.
Although these numbers might not sound so impressive, they turn out to work just perfectly for the city dawdling or occasional highway cruising. That power is delivered smoothly and linearly for a very rookie-friendly ride, but it’s enough to challenge experienced riders, too.
It comes mated to a 5-speed gearbox that gives your short and accurate gear shifts. The clutch is light with a slippery feel that minimises fatigue when you’re stuck in heavy traffic. What’s more, the Pulsar 125 riding experience is further enhanced with the anti-stalling assist switch which prevents the bike from running out at low speeds and is usually common in premium motorcycles.
Riding Dynamics
Despite being on the affordable side of things, the Pulsar 125 has some good dynamic properties. The 140-kg motorcycle is quite light to handle, and is nimble in city traffic and confidence inspiring around a twisty road.
The suspension is tuned just right to ensure good ride quality and plushness, while still retaining the sportiness the motorcycle is known to possess.
Stopping power is courtesy of disc brakes on both ends with combi-braking system (CBS) for a safe and steady stop. ABS is also missing on the base variant to keep costs in check, but the braking configuration offers decent stopping power for the performance on offer.
Feature Set
The Pulsar 125, even with its competitive pricing, doesn’t miss out on features that aid its utility and desirability. A digital-analog instrument cluster displays a speedometer, odometer, trip meter and fuel gauge. The LED lighting doesn’t just look high-end, though, it also lights up the road nicely.
It has tubeless tyres, it minimises the possibility of immediate deflation, it is also convenient to repair. Low Maintenance An air-cooled engine helps reduce maintenance costs and is simple and easy to service. There wasn’t much you had to buy Bajaj’s reliability reputation will mean that ownership will be trouble free.
Market Impact
The Pulsar 125’s arrival has caused quite the stir in the lower segment of the motorcycle market. “As a result, it’s possible for beginners and novice bike riders to have sporty styling and handling as they have dreamed, but, without the hefty price tag)” The bottom line? This democratization of style has broadened the market well beyond the long time commuter bike buyer.
The bike has really struck a chord with collegians and young professionals who care about looks while being practical. It is more affordable and very approachable instead of treating a tier as an only for base range commuter motorcycles.
Target Audience
Hence, Bajaj has very meticulously managed to tap the aspirations of young Indian riders. The Pulsar 125 appeals to:
Sporty-first time motorcycle buyer
In particular, students and young professionals without budget
Performance-biased styling for the daily commuter
Riders moving up from scooters seeking the on/off road experience of a “dual sport” machine
Urban riders who demand manoeuvrability with fashion
Competitive Positioning
In a commuter driven segment, the Pulsar 125 subtly hints at being a sportsbike with aggressive lines. It is a direct rival to the Honda SP series and TVS Apache, however, is a little more aggressive in its looks, while also having the history of the Pulsar brand associated with itself.
The style, performance, and affordability mix make the bike something of a value proposition most competitors can’t match. It’s pricing is especially not good news for the incumbents, who will be forced to rethink their premium position in the 125cc segment.
Build Quality and Reliability
The Pulsar 125 speaks for Bajaj’s legacy of creating durable bikes. It feels as solidly built as pricier versions in the range, the panel gaps are good and it’s trimmed in durable plastics. Engine, based on the time-tested Platina engine, provides the rock-solid reliability consumers expect from Bajaj engines.
The bike’s simplicity is another ingredient in its robustness. With fewer moving parts than the bigger Pulsars, the 125cc should be relatively maintenance-free while offering reliable performance.
Future Implications
There are important implications from the success of the Pulsar 125 for the Indian motorcycle industry. It reveals that this segment is one in which price-sensitive consumers are willing to put brand appeal and style ahead of basic transportation. Other brands may be encouraged to bring to market some more style-orientated entries into the entry-level category.
The success of the Pulsar 125 also falls in line with the way Bajaj has approached its Pulsar brand, extending the lineage across displacement classes, and making sure the name stays relevant to riders in multiple segments and price categories.
Bajaj Pulsar 125 Conclusion
The Bajaj Pulsar 125 is a game changer in a segment that has long hinged on its price and appeal among city-bound young riders in India. “PULSAR 125 is targeted at premium entry-level motorcycle buyers who want to move up from 100/110 cc offerings towards the 125cc performance and looking for an upgrade that gives them premium experience.
It’s the combination of performance, sporty design and thrill and track inspired dynamics and is for buyers who are looking at sports biking as an expression of their attitude.
PULSAR was launched in 2001 to carve a big slice of the motorcycle market by offering performance and design which were aspirational alternatives to the conventional motorcycles.
Now, with several manufacturers trying to decode its success formula, the Pulsar 125 has raised the benchmark for value, in the entry-level sporty segment. Its accomplishment rests not only in its competitive pricing, but in showing that bargain basement doesn’t mean skimping on style or brand name.
Made for the young Indian riders who always dreamt of having a Pulsar, the 125cc Pulsar made it finally affordable and opened up the budget motorcycle segment like never before.
