TVS Raider vs Bajaj Pulsar NS125: Modern Tech vs Old-school Charm

There’s something very charming about the Bajaj Pulsar NS bikes. Both the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 and the Bajaj Pulsar NS160  Yes, there are much better bikes at the same price point, even in Bajaj’s own stable, but the NS range still pulls the heartstrings of enthusiasts. So today, we bring you the smallest of the NS lot, the Bajaj Pulsar NS125 and pit it against the TVS Raider. The Raider sounds like the better bike on paper but is that really the case in the real world as well? Let’s find that out here: 

Price & Variants

• There’s one clear winner here and that is the TVS Raider, of course. The base variant’s prices start as much as Rs 10,000 under the NS125’s base variant. In fact, the TVS Raider’s ABS trim costs only a bit more than the Pulsar NS125’s base variant without ABS. 

• ABS is a no brainer on our roads and that’s the variant we always recommend. So get the Raider’s SXC DD variant with ABS and you can save Rs 3,175 over the Pulsar NS125’s ABS variant. That money could very well be spent on petrol! 
  
  
  

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Dimensions & Design 

• The Bajaj Pulsar NS125 ith its longer wheelbase and taller seat might feel like the slightly bigger bike of the two, but the difference isn’t substantial. At least, they’re not enough to affect the buying decision. Both bikes are easy to get on and ride for newer riders as well. They feel accessible for riders of all heights and sizes.

• There’s a massive difference in the weight of the two bikes. The TVS Raider weighs between 123-125kg (depending on the variant), while the Pulsar NS125 weighs 145kg for the base 2 variants and 146kg for the top trim. 

• You will feel this difference in heft when you ride the bikes one after the other. 

• The Raider feels featherweight in the city and responds to the lightest of touches, especially in the city at low speeds. That makes filtering through traffic quite a joy. 

• The Pulsar NS125, on the other hand, will instantly feel like the heavier of the 2 and you will feel like you’re giving in more inputs in order to maneuver the bike. 

• Their designs are poles apart. The Raider’s Bumblebee-like design is modern.

• The NS125 looks a bit dated. But in today’s edgy, tech-oriented world, we have to admit that the NS125’s relatively old-school look is surprisingly charming.

•  Check out our image gallery of the TVS Raider 125 with 10 detailed pics.

Features & Safety

• TVS decided to throw every feature they could think of at the Raider, without worrying about going overboard. There are some 400cc bikes in India that still don’t get a TFT, while the Raider gets one. 

• Bajaj, meanwhile, thought there was no need to bombard the NS125 with features. It gets an LCD console only on the top variant. 

• Here you’d expect us to say how dated a basic LCD console in today’s world looks and up to an extent, that might be true. However, it looks quite good, and in line with the NS125’s old-school charm that we talked about earlier.

• Check out our detailed features explanation of the TVS Raider 125.

Engines

• The TVS Raider’s engine is tuned for torque. There’s a lot of grunt at low speeds and that makes it the easier of the two to ride in the city. Even if you’re in a gear higher than required, open the throttle and the Raider will chug along. The Raider is also the smoother bike of the two. It feels like a properly modern bike.

• Like the Pulsar NS200 and the NS160, the NS125 too loves being revved out. The real fun lies upwards of around 6,000rpm. While it’s not exactly hard to ride in the city, there's not a lot of grunt at low revs. That means you will be making a fair bit of gear changes to keep the bike chugging. 

• That’s not necessarily a negative thing though. If you love revving your bikes out and riding them hard, the NS125 is a satisfying bike to ride.

Verdict 

For most people, the TVS Raider is the better bike of the two. It’s more affordable, has a lot more features, is smoother and its engine’s mannerism is enjoyable too. But if you had a Pulsar NS200 in your family while you grew up or if the NS200/NS160 are the kind of bikes you’ve always loved, you will like the NS125 as well. A lot of us in the office are in the same boat! So get a test ride and find out for yourself. 

We have also compared the TVS Raider 125 with the Honda SP 125, and with the Bajaj Pulsar N125. For all the information about TVS's sporty 125cc commuter, check out our Ultimate Buying Guide.

Comparisons With Other Rivals 

• If you are looking for 125cc sporty commuter motorcycles, the TVS Raider 125 and the Hero Xtreme 125R are evenly matched when it comes to performance.

• You can also take a look at the Hero Glamour X 125 as it comes with an impressive set of features, rivalling the Raider.

• If you want a bit of performance without compromising too much on practicality, the TVS Raider 125 fits the bill better than the Honda Shine 125.

• Styling-wise, the Bajaj Pulsar 125 is more dated than the TVS Raider 125, which has bright poppy shades.

• When comparing the tech features of the TVS Raider 125 and the Bajaj Pulsar N125, there are a lot more fancy bits to be found on the Raider 125.

• As a tech-loaded 125cc motorcycle, the TVS Raider 125 has a lot more to offer than the Honda SP125.

• In terms of pricing, the TVS Raider 125 is costlier than the Hero Super Splendor 125 by a considerable margin.
• If you prefer simplicity but with an iconic design, then you'll like the Bajaj Pulsar 125 over the Raider.

You can also read more about other alternatives in the same price point as the Raider.