The new 250-cc range of Pulsar has been outfitted with a new engine, chassis and revised looks. The new offerings seen in naked and semi-faired avatars certainly showcase the Pulsar brand ethos – affordable, on the road nippy and easy to handle.
The Pulsar range now ranges between 125-cc and 250-cc, with the latest priced at Rs 1.38 lakh (N250) and Rs 1.40 lakh (F250) ex-showroom. The 249.07-cc single-cylinder, oil-cooled, DTS-i engine is specially developed to produce 24.5PS and 21.5Nm Pulsar 250. The motor isn’t the fastest, yet retains the Pulsar-like charm of the well-stretched torque band and tractability.
You can debate the usefulness of a 5-speed transmission with a quarter-liter engine. Well, like most other bits and pieces in a motorcycle this pair is taken into consideration to check the price. That said, the clutch is lightweight, the gear shifts are slick and essentially won’t fatigue the rider over long distances.
Keeping in mind, the 250 series of Pulsar will also be the choice for long distance riding, it is happy to see that the engine spins freely at 100 kmph and this can be accelerated up to 140 clicks. The claimed ARAI fuel efficiency is 39 kmpl.
Again, the single-channel ABS on the double disc brakes is what Bajaj Auto feels is adequate at that price point. The bite of the brakes is predictable and the response from the lever is reassuring. It’s just that the rear wheels lock up in case of heavy or panic braking.
The gradually reducing fuel tank and seat height of 795 mm along with slightly lower rear footpegs ensure quite a comfortable riding posture. The creases on the plastic around the tail, clip-on handlebars and the F250 aerodynamically add to the motorcycle to be more difficult, but I believe the minimalist and sporty looking N250 will be on the market seeking maximum traction. Will do
Flex your body and dunk the Pulsar 250 around corners, with motorcycles oozing confidence, if not more than the NS200 and 220F. This is largely because of the new tubular frame that protects the heart of the case along with the engine as a stress member. The F250 frame is 3kg and 1kg lighter than the perimeter frame employed on the NS200 and the diamond frame of the 220F respectively.
The Pulsar-Maniacs won’t make an instant connection with the looks of the bike, especially due to the modification brought in to accommodate bi-projector LED headlamps with boomerang-shaped DRLs. Mind you, a treatment on these lines was necessary, or at least represents evolution. Throwing and spreading of lights will be more and more effective. The wrap-around tail lamps that look similar to the Dominar look good.
Bajaj Auto went ahead with a similar infotainment cluster, except for a few changes here and there. The combination of digital and analog dials displays speed, gear position, range, emptying distance, engine heating and other key parameters. Arguably much, the Pulsar 250 could have had connected technology for navigation or a TFT screen, but it’s safe to remind you of the most affordable tag on any 250-cc motorcycle hanging out on the new Pulsar.
So, in simple words, the new bike is ‘hopefully 3 years late’ but is ready to drive the Pulsar brand for years to come.
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