Bajaj Pulsar 150 vs Honda Unicorn vs Yamaha FZ S V4 vs TVS Apache RTR 160 2V: Specification Comparison
Modified On June 20, 2024 17:08 IST By Irfan
Here’s how the Bajaj Pulsar 150 fares against its rivals, on paper, in the entry-level sporty commuter segment
The Bajaj Pulsar 150 recently got updated with an LCD instrument console along with other features. But, compared to its rivals: the Honda Unicorn, Yamaha FZ S Fi V4 and the TVS Apache RTR 160 2V, how does it fare, at least on paper? Let’s take a look:
Engine
|
Specifications |
Bajaj Pulsar 150 |
Honda Unicorn |
Yamaha FZ S V4 |
TVS Apache RTR 160 2V |
|
Engine |
149.5cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine |
162.71cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled |
149cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled |
159.7cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled |
|
Power |
14PS @ 8500rpm |
13.46PS @ 7500rpm |
12.4PS @ 7250rpm |
16.04PS at 8750rpm (Sport Mode), 13.32PS at 8000rpm (Rain and Urban Mode) |
|
Torque |
13.25Nm @ 6500rpm |
14.58Nm @ 5500rpm |
13.3Nm @ 5500rpm |
13.85Nm at 7000rpm (Sport Mode), 12.7Nm at 6500rpm (Rain and Urban Mode) |
|
Gearbox |
5-speed |
5-speed |
5-speed |
5-speed |
The TVS Apache RTR 160 2V is the most powerful bike in this comparison and will be really great for some spirited riding. The motor likes to be revved hard and will be perfect for someone looking for a sporty 160cc bike. The Unicorn produces the most torque output compared to the rest of the bikes and at a lower part of the rpm range, which means the motor is quite tractable and will be perfect for daily commutes.
Underpinnings
|
Specifications |
Bajaj Pulsar 150 |
Honda Unicorn |
Yamaha FZ S V4 |
TVS Apache RTR 160 2V |
|
Front suspension |
37mm telescopic fork (twin disc variant), 31mm telescopic fork (single disc variant) |
Telescopic fork |
Telescopic fork |
Telescopic fork |
|
Rear suspension |
Gas-charged twin shock absorbers |
Monoshock |
Monoshock |
Gas-charged twin shock absorbers |
|
Front brake |
280mm disc brake (twin disc variant), 260mm disc brake (single disc variant) |
240mm disc brake |
282mm disc brake |
270mm petal disc |
|
Rear brake |
230mm disc brake (twin disc variant), 130mm drum brake (single disc variant) |
130mm drum brake |
220mm disc brake |
200mm petal disc / 130mm drum brake |
|
Front tyre |
90-section with 17-inch alloy wheel (twin disc variant), 80-section with 17-inch alloy wheel (single disc variant) |
80-section with 18-inch alloy wheel |
100-section with 17-inch alloy wheel |
90-section with 17-inch wheel |
|
Rear tyre |
120-section with 17-inch alloy wheel (twin disc variant), 100-section with 17-inch alloy wheel (single disc variant) |
100-section with 18-inch alloy wheel |
140-section with 17-inch wheel |
110-section as standard and 120-section in the Disc Bluetooth variant with a 17-inch wheel in all variants |
The Unicorn and the FZ-S get a monoshock, which is a more sophisticated setup compared to the twin-shock absorbers on the Bajaj Pulsar 150 and the RTR 160 2V. The monoshock should be able to do a better job at absorbing bumps and potholes. That being said, the twin shock absorbers in the Pulsar and the RTR are gas-charged, which means the suspension setup’s performance shouldn’t be too far off compared to the monoshock.
The RTR 160 2V should provide the best braking performance compared to the rest of the bikes as it gets petal disc brakes at both ends. The twin disc variant of the Pulsar 150 gets dual-channel ABS, making it superior in terms of safety. Also, the Yamaha FZ S gets traction control, which improves the safety quotient of the bike on gravel surfaces.
The Honda Unicorn should be the easiest to flick from one side to another in the city because it gets the skinniest front tyre. However, when it comes to straight line stability, the other three bikes should come out on top due to overall fatter tyre setup at both ends.
Dimensions
|
Specifications |
Bajaj Pulsar 150 |
Honda Unicorn |
Yamaha FZ S V4 |
TVS Apache RTR 160 2V |
|
Wheelbase |
1345mm (twin disc variant), 1320mm (single disc variant) |
1335mm |
1330mm |
1300mm |
|
Ground clearance |
165mm |
187mm |
165mm |
180mm |
|
Fuel tank capacity |
15-litres |
13-litres |
13-litres |
12-litres |
|
Seat height |
NA |
798mm |
790mm |
790mm |
|
Kerb weight |
150kg (twin disc variant), 148kg (single disc variant) |
139kg |
135kg |
137kg (drum brake variants), 138kg (disc brake variants) |
The Honda Unicorn and the TVS Apache RTR 160 2V get the highest ground clearances in this comparison, which means they should handle Indian road conditions much better than the Bajaj Pulsar 150 and the Yamaha FZ S V4. The RTR 160 2V gets the smallest capacity fuel tank, which could mean more stops for fueling up. The Pulsar 150 is the heaviest among all the other bikes, which could hamper its manoeuvrability in tight city traffic conditions.
Features
|
Bajaj Pulsar 150 |
Honda Unicorn |
Yamaha FZ S V4 |
TVS Apache RTR 160 2V |
|
|
Instrument Console |
LCD |
Analogue |
LCD |
LCD |
|
Bluetooth Connectivity |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
LED Lighting |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
The Honda Unicorn gets the least amount of features as it comes with a three-pod analogue instrument console and doesn’t get Bluetooth connectivity and LED lighting. The Bajaj Pulsar 150 and the TVS Apache RTR 160 2V are very similar in terms of the features they get. Both get an LCD instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity for call and SMS alerts. However, the RTR 160 2V comes out ahead as it also gets turn-by-turn navigation.
The Yamaha FZ S stands in the middle in terms of features, as it gets an LCD instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity for call, SMS and email alerts and phone battery level status through the Y-Connect app.
Price & Verdict
|
Bajaj Pulsar 150 |
Honda Unicorn |
Yamaha FZ-S |
TVS Apache RTR 160 2V |
|
Rs 1,13,696 |
Rs 1,09,800 |
Rs 1,29,200 |
Rs 1,27,220 |
(all prices ex-showroom Delhi)
Note: For this comparison, we are taking into account the prices of the top-end variants of the bikes
The Honda Unicorn is the most affordable bike in this comparison and it's understandable as it gets the most basic setup in terms of features and underpinnings. So, if you are looking for a 160cc bike that will take care of your daily commutes and are not too worried about fancy features and hardware, then the Honda Unicorn is the one for you.
The TVS Apache RTR 160 2V is the most powerful bike with the most sophisticated brakes and the most extensive features list, which is reflected in the price tag as well. So, if you want a sporty 160cc naked bike and have a budget of Rs 1,27,220 (ex-showroom), then you should consider the RTR 160 2V.
The Yamaha FZ S is the most expensive bike here but it also gets an LCD screen with Bluetooth connectivity. Plus, the motor is quite tractable and smooth, making it very easy to live with on a daily basis. If that is your forte, then FZ-S is a good choice.
Lastly, the Bajaj Pulsar 150 offers the best of both worlds: sporty yet good for commuting as well. And with the latest update, the Pulsar is stocked in the features department as an affordable 150cc bike. Also, if you are a fan of the old-school Pulsar looks, then the Pulsar 150 should be considered for your next purchase.
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