Bajaj Pulsar 125 Neon vs KTM RC 125: Performance Numbers Comparison
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A budget-friendly commuter vs a full-fledged supersport, how close are they in terms of numbers?
[UPDATE: The Bajaj Pulsar 125 Split Seat variant has been launched pan-India. Check our our report for more details.]
KTM has been one of the most favoured brands among enthusiasts in India. It offers exceptional products with power-packed performance for riders who like to hone their skills. The same can also be said about Bajaj -- the company that introduced India to budget-friendly performance-oriented motorcycles. What these manufacturers also have in common is the 125cc range. The Pulsar 125 Neon may be an everyday commuter but its engine performance is quite close to the KTM RC 125, which at Rs 1,55,277, is almost double the price of the Neon. Bear in mind that the bikes we’ve tested are BS4 models, but they aren’t all that different compared to their BS6 iterations in terms of power output.
Acceleration:
|
Bajaj Pulsar 125 Neon BS4 |
KTM RC 125 BS4 |
|
|
0-60kmph |
7.11 seconds |
6.14 seconds |
|
0-80kmph |
13.58 seconds |
10.75 seconds |
From the 0-60kmph mark, the Pulsar 125 is just about a second slower than the RC 125, but the latter manages to increase the gap on the way to 80kmph being 2.83 seconds faster.
Roll-Ons:
|
Bajaj Pulsar 125 Neon BS4 |
KTM RC 125 BS4 |
|
|
30-70kmph in 3rd gear |
8.10 seconds |
7.22 seconds |
|
40-80kmph in 4th gear |
11.33 seconds |
10.18 seconds |
The Pulsar claws its way back during in-gear roll-ons thanks to its strong mid-range. So-much-so, that it’s only around a second slower in both parameters. Goes to show the Neon could be just as quick if not quicker during overtakes.
Braking:
|
Bajaj Pulsar 125 Neon BS4 |
KTM RC 125 BS4 |
|
|
100-0kmph |
34.51m |
35.83m |
|
60-0kmph |
18.81m |
18.75m |
Compared to the Neon, which features a front disc and a rear drum brake setup, the RC gets larger discs on both ends with single-channel ABS as standard. Despite having a sophisticated braking setup, the KTM RC 125 just about scrapes through in the braking test. About a metre is what separates the RC from the Neon from 100-0kmph. The distance shortens even further while braking from 60-0kmph.
Fuel Efficiency:
|
Bajaj Pulsar 125 BS4 |
KTM RC 125 BS4 |
|
|
City |
51.46kmpl |
44.95kmpl |
|
Highway |
57kmpl |
45.87kmpl |
This is where the Pulsar 125 Neon comes into its own. The commuter’s frugal engine manages to deliver better fuel efficiency in both city and highway conditions. That’s not to say the RC isn’t any good. It’s equally impressive despite being a purebred race bike.
The reason for this comparison is to show readers that you need not spend through your nose in an attempt to seek performance. Bikes like the Pulsar 125 Neon offer decent performance without breaking the bank. We’d go as far as to say it’s the perfect bike for beginners. If you’re brand conscious and desire the orange paint scheme, killer looks and premium mechanicals, the RC 125 is the way to go. But it’s a whole lot more expensive.
Gaurav Sadanand