Bajaj Pulsar NS125 vs NS160: Differences Explained

Are the similarities more than skin deep?

A Bajaj bombshell dropped yesterday, in the form of the surprising new Pulsar NS125. It looks remarkably similar to its larger siblings, but there are some significant differences under the surface. Here's how the NS125 compares to the Pulsar NS160:

Engine

Obviously, the biggest difference is in the powertrain department. While the NS160 gets a more sophisticated 4-valve, oil-cooled motor, the little eighth-litre Pulsar has to make so with a simpler air-cooled 2-valve motor producing just 12PS and 11Nm. This is 5.2PS and 3.6Nm less than the NS160.

Brakes

Since it has less pulling power, the NS125 logically also has less stopping power. Compared to the NS160's 260mm disc/230mm disc combo, the wee 125 gets a 240mm disc up front and only a 130mm drum brake at the rear.

Tyres

In keeping with the downsizing theme, the NS125 also has a skinny tyre combo of 80/100-17 at the front and 100/90-17 at the rear. In contrast, the NS160's chunkier rubber measures 90/90-17 and 120/80-17.

Dimensions

Slightly shorter overall length and a slightly shorter wheelbase mean that the NS125 is 7kg lighter than the 151kg NS160 despite packing in the same 12-litre fuel-tank. It also gets 2mm of extra ground clearance, probably thanks to the less substantial engine.

Price

It goes without saying that the larger bike is going to be more expensive. At Rs 1,11,834, the NS160 demands an extra Rs 18,144 over the little NS125 (Rs 93,690).