Bajaj Pulsar P150

The Bajaj Pulsar 150 was an iconic motorcycle that made a big impact on the Indian riding scene. Now the manufacturer has come out with the new P150 which tries to capture the same emotions.

The Pulsar P150 features a design that tries to maximize the bike’s maneuverability, it is sportier and combines sharp design elements and gives the bike an overall lighter look. The 2 variants of the motorcycle offer slightly different designs that result in different riding postures. The single disc variant comes with a single seat and mid-set footpegs that gives the rider an upright riding stance while the twin disc variant with its rear set footpegs and split seat setup offers a sportier riding posture. The tank profile is sleek and the underbelly exhaust makes the bike look quite aggressive.

The Pulsar P150 comes with a 149.68cc engine that generates 14.5PS and 13.5Nm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox and is more powerful than the old Pulsar 150 by 0.5PS and 0.25Nm. Overall the power figures are adequate for a commuter motorcycle.The only issue is that the engine feels out of breath when revved out, but this isn’t a deal breaker as the bike is afterall intended to be a commuter.

When it comes to handling the bike is quite light and agile, this makes it an ideal city commuter. Flicking the motorcycle in and out of heavy traffic is quite an easy task. The design overall makes the bike quite maneuverable, with the underbelly exhaust being placed at the bike’s center of gravity making it feel balanced overall. Coming to ride quality, the bike is really good when riding in the city and the suspension tuning is done in a way that provides a balanced experience and is able to absorb most bumps and potholes with ease.

In terms of comfort the P150’s both variants offer seats that are quite cushioned and doesn’t cause discomfort both in long or short journeys. The single disc variant comes with a single seat that is long and provides adequate space to both the rider and pillion. With a taller handlebar, the single disc variant is definitely more suitable for everyday riding in the city as it provides a more upright riding posture. The dual disc variant gets a split seat setup with rear set footpegs. The seats are decent and the riding posture is definitely more committed compared to the single seat version, but still doesn't come off as too committed so rider of all statures can easily be accommodated. 

The Pulsar P150 features a semi-digital instrument cluster which is similar to the ones employed in the N250 and the F250, giving standard readings like speed, rpm and fuel level along with additional information like gear position indicator, clock and distance-to-empty. The bike gets single-channel ABS as standard. In terms of features the bike feels like it misses out on a lot, like smartphone connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation and ride analytics that its rivals come with.

The P150 is a good motorcycle, it is simple and offers a smooth riding experience. It is easy to handle and makes for a good commuter. But if you’re looking for something that offers more features and more performance then the TVS Apache RTR 160 will be a good choice. The other options in the market include Honda SP160, Honda Unicorn, and Yamaha FZ.