Bajaj Pulsar Adventure Bike Spied For The First Time: Our Analysis

In today’s edition of ‘Which test bike is this even?’, it seems to be a new Bajaj Pulsar. And this one looks very different from the other Pulsars because the styling makes it seem like it’s an upcoming Bajaj Pulsar adventure bike. Is it really, though? Here’s what we think: 

For starters, the test bike has a slight ADV-themed look with its beak, but that’s pretty much where the ADV-ness ends. Look closely and you’ll see that the bike appears to have 17-inch alloy wheels at both ends, and even the fender isn’t raised. 

And if that killed your excitement a little bit, the engine won’t really excite you either. It’s a small-capacity air-cooled engine that even has a kick starter. These observations, coupled with the fact that it has a somewhat slim rear tyre makes us think that it is likely a 125cc bike. Other bits on the test bike include a telescopic fork with fork covers, a monoshock and seemingly a 90-section front tyre. There’s an easy-to-reach single-piece handlebar and the console seems to be a fully digital LCD unit. The split seat seems to be really low on the rider’s side, which should make it fairly accessible for shorter riders.

• More Affordable Bajaj Chetak Variant Spied Testing

• 2024 Bajaj Pulsar 220F With Digital Instrument Console Launched

• EXCLUSIVE: 2024 Bajaj Pulsar N160 With Inverted Fork Launched!

So why a funky, ADV-style, small capacity bike, you ask? Well, the 125cc sporty commuter market is picking pace and with bikes like the recently launched Hero Xtreme 125R and our favourite 125cc bike, the TVS Raider 125, it’s quite a hot segment right now. Sure, Bajaj already has the Pulsar NS125 and Pulsar 125 in this space. But the only thing that would help the brand really stand out is if they create something that stands out within the segment. Moreover, Rajiv Bajaj, the CEO of Bajaj Auto had mentioned in March that Bajaj is ‘super-segmenting’ the Pulsar brand, which means creating various models to cater to different customers (and also at different genres and displacement ranges) within the Pulsar family.

Making an ADV-themed bike in the 125cc segment will be a unique initiative that will give Bajaj the first-mover advantage. This will also give prospective customers the option to go for a butch-looking bike that doesn’t break the bank. It may not be as capable as a typical adventure bike but its adventure capability won’t be as big a selling point as its design. To this end, Bajaj might just resurrect the AS nameplate, and call it the Pulsar AS 125. Bajaj would be looking to nail the pricing (probably under Rs 1 lakh) while giving it some modern features as well. 

Image Source