Bajaj Pulsar N125 vs TVS Raider 125: Image Comparison

Bajaj recently launched the Pulsar N125 in the 125cc sporty commuter segment. Let us see how it compares with one of the best selling bikes, the TVS Raider 125, with the help of images.

Design

The Bajaj Pulsar N125 looks quite sporty. It gets a Z-shaped LED DRL which surrounds the LED headlight. The tail light is a split LED unit like the one found on bigger Pulsars but the indicators are bulb-type at both ends. The tank sharp extensions and sporty lines throughout the bodywork makes the bike look very sporty – quite true to the Pulsar aesthetic. The Pulsar has a slim rear section, and an underbelly exhaust. It is available in seven striking colours: Ebony Black/Cocktail Wine Red, Pewter Grey/Citrus Rush and Ebony Black/Purple Fury, Pearl Metallic White, Ebony Black, Cocktail Wine Red and Caribbean Blue. We think the Ebony Black/Purple Fury looks the best out of the lot.

The tvs raider 125 has a very polarising look. It has bug-eye styled front LED headlight and LED DRLs, and an LED tail light. The indicators are bulb-type. The chunky tank and the slim tail looks quite handsome and gives a beefy look to the motorcycle. It is available in eight colour options: Striking Red, Wicked Black, Forza Blue, Fiery Yellow, Blazing Blue, Nardo Grey, Black Panther and Iron Man livery. We think that the Nardo Grey is the best one. 

Engine

The Bajaj Pulsar N125 is powered by a 124.58cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine which makes 12PS at 8,500rpm and 11Nm at 6,000rpm, and is paired to a 5-speed gearbox. 

The TVS Raider 125 is powered by a 124.8cc air & oil-cooled engine which makes 11.38PS at 7,500rpm and 11.2Nm at 6,000rpm, and is paired to a 5-speed gearbox. TVS claims the Raider 125 will do the 0-60kmph sprint in 5.8 seconds.  

Features

The Bajaj Pulsar N125 gets an LCD console with Bluetooth connectivity. The console also shows essential information such as tachometer, speedometer, trip meter and also has ISG (Integrated Starter Generator) which helps in silent start/stop. 

The TVS Raider 125 is the better equipped bike of the two in terms of features. The top-end SX variant gets a TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity, two riding modes: Eco and Sport, turn-by-turn navigation, gear position indicator, and much more.

In terms of features, the TVS Raider is the one which comes out on top offering features which bikes even above its class do not offer. 

Underpinnings

The Bajaj Pulsar N125 gets a telescopic fork and a monoshock. It has a 240mm disc brake at the front and a 130mm drum brake. The tyre size is 80/100-17 at the front and 100/90–17 for the LED Disc variant while the top-end LED Disc BT variant gets a 110/80-17 at the rear. The fuel tank capacity is quite small, just 9.5 litres, and the motorcycle weighs in at 125kg kerb. The seat height is an accessible 795mm and has a massive ground clearance of 198mm.

The TVS Raider 125 also gets a telescopic fork at the front and monoshock at the rear. The brakes consist of a 240mm disc at the front for all variants except the base which gets a 130mm drum at the front and a 130mm drum at the rear for all variants. The TVS Raider gets a 100/80-17 tyre at the front and a 100/90-17 section at the rear. The seat height is 785mm and the ground clearance is 180mm. It has a 10-litre fuel tank, and a real world mileage of 71.94kmpl in the city, and 65.44kmpl on the highway.

Price

Let’s see where the Bajaj Pulsar N125 stand against the TVS Raider 125 in terms of price:

(All prices ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Bajaj Pulsar N125 is available in two variants: LED Disc and LED Disc BT while the TVS Raider is available in six. The Drum variant of the Raider is the most affordable bike. The base variant of the Pulsar N125 sits in between the base variant of the TVS and the Single Seat variant. The top variant of the Pulsar N125 sits in between the iGO variant of the Raider and the SSE variant. The TVS Raider is also the most expensive bike of the two. Raider’s top variant is Rs 5,623 more than Pulsar N125’s top variant. 

Verdict

If you are someone who wants a funky and sporty looking motorcycle, the Bajaj Pulsar N125 should be your go-to choice. However, the TVS Raider feels like a better, sportier package.  If you are someone who is looking for a sporty 125cc commuter, the TVS Raider 125 should be your go-to choice.