Bajaj Pulsar N125 Vs Pulsar NS125: Same Same But Different?

125cc motorcycles are evolving day by day. Gone are the conservative aesthetics of the yesteryears. Today's 125cc motorcycles are all about an aggressive and sporty persona. The TVS Raider 125 and Hero Xtreme 125R are great examples for us to quote. 

Now Bajaj tries to be a trendsetter with its newest 125cc commuter motorcycle that competes with the trendy TVS and Hero offerings. The Raider 125 is already very popular for its sprightly performance while the Hero Xtreme 125R has been a headturner. Bajaj's Pulsar N125 promises to be the sweet spot between the two.

But this is not the only 125cc motorcycle that Bajaj makes. Take a look at the Bajaj brochure online and you will see a couple of models featuring a 125cc engine. You have the sporty Pulsar NS125, the mild and comfy Pulsar 125, the "mileage lord" Freedom 125 CNG and the exceptional KTM 125 Duke. 

We know that the 125 Duke doesn't wear the Bajaj badge but hey! It comes from the same Chakan plant in Pune. We are gonna park it aside and focus on the Pulsar variants instead. 

The Pulsar 125 is a simple retro-style commuter while the NS125 is all about sporty handling. For someone seeking a sporty Pulsar, choosing between the N125 and NS125 could be a big deal. 

ALSO READ: Bajaj Pulsar N125 vs Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG

That's where we step in to clear your confusion. Let's dive into the differences between the Pulsar N125 and Pulsar NS125.  

Design

"Looks don't matter" is a saying that applies only to humans. However, when it comes to buying a motorcycle worth more than INR 1 lakh, looks matter a lot. In my opinion, the Pulsar N125 looks completely different from other Pulsars, featuring a design that blends elements of an adventure tourer with a commuter bike. The Pulsar NS125, on the other hand, maintains a streetfighter look.

In terms of weight, the Pulsar N125 is just 125 kg, which is around 19 kg lighter than the Bajaj Pulsar NS125. A lighter weight helps maneuver the bike in bumper-to-bumper city traffic. The ground clearance of the Pulsar N125 is also better at 198 mm, which is 21 mm more than the Pulsar NS125. This additional clearance gives you confidence when crossing uneven paths without damaging the bottom of your motorcycle.

Another advantage of the latest Pulsar N125 is the seat height, which is 795 mm compared to the 805 mm seat height of the Pulsar NS125, making the N125 more suitable for average-height Indian riders. 

It’s not that the Pulsar NS125 isn’t good; it just depends on the rider's height and preferences. The NS125 is relatively bigger in terms of body size and shape, which can provide better confidence, balance, and reliability. Its wheelbase is longer too, measuring 1,353 mm, which is 58 mm longer than that of the Pulsar N125. A longer wheelbase generally offers better stability and speed, but it also requires more time to make tight turns.

If you’re around 5'4", the Bajaj Pulsar N125 might give you more confidence on the road.

Both the Bajaj Pulsar N125 and NS125 feature fully digital instrument cluster as standard.

Both bikes feature telescopic suspension at the front and a monoshock suspension at the rear. They are equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels for both the front and rear, with identical tire sizes: 80/100-17 in the front and 100/90-17 at the rear.

The Pulsar N125 comes with an LED headlight, LED taillight and halogen indicators. The recently updated NS125 also gets an all-LED treatment for the headlamps and tailamps. 

Also read: Bajaj Pulsar NS125 vs TVS Raider 125

Performance

Small engines can perform exceptionally well if tuned properly by manufacturers. The days when commuter bikes were used solely for routine purposes are long gone.

The new-generation Pulsar N125 is powered by a 124.58cc engine, while the Pulsar NS125 comes with a 124.45cc engine. Both are single-cylinder, air-cooled engines paired with a five-speed gearbox, featuring one downshift and four upshifts.

At first glance, everything seems similar, but the differences become apparent upon closer inspection. The Pulsar N125 produces 11.83 bhp at 8,500 RPM, while the Pulsar NS125 delivers 11.80 bhp at 8,500 RPM. Both bikes feel very similar in terms of power and performance. However, the torque delivery varies slightly: the N125 produces 11 Nm of torque at 6,000 RPM, while the NS125 delivers the same torque at 7,000 RPM. This gives the Pulsar N125 a slight edge in quickness over the Pulsar NS125.

However, the story doesn’t end there. The Pulsar NS125 has a larger fuel tank, holding 12 litres compared to the Pulsar N125's 9.5 litres. With both motorcycles offering similar mileage, the NS125 provides a greater full-tank range. In short, the Pulsar N125 is quicker, but the NS125 can travel farther.

Safety

Both bikes come with a Combined Braking System (CBS) but lack ABS, making it more challenging to control the bike during rainy conditions or at high speeds. The front brake measures 240 mm, while the rear brake is 130 mm on both models.

ALSO READ: KTM 390 Duke vs KTM 250 Duke

Additional features

Both the Bajaj Pulsar N125 and the NS125 come with a stand alarm to alert riders when the stand is down. The N125 also includes a gear indicator, which is not available on the NS125. This feature can help riders avoid getting stuck in traffic due to an incorrect gear and throttle ratio.

One of the standout features of the Pulsar N125 is its USB charging port, which is especially useful for riders who offer motorcycle-based taxi services.

Price and variants

The Bajaj Pulsar N125 is available in two variants:  

- Disc, priced at INR 110,198 (on-road) in Delhi.  

- Disc with Bluetooth, priced at INR 114,595 (on-road) in Delhi.  

The Bajaj Pulsar NS125 also comes in standard and Bluetooth variants:  

- Standard, priced at INR 120,854 (on-road) in Delhi.  

- Bluetooth, priced at INR 1,26,734 (on-road) in Delhi.  

Conclusion

Both motorcycles seem quite similar on paper. The Pulsar NS125 is a bigger motorcycle compared to the Pulsar N125 but lacks modern features like a USB charging port and a fully digital instrument cluster. Additionally, the ex-showroom price of the Pulsar NS125 is around INR 10,000 higher than that of the Pulsar N125.

If you prefer a bigger-sized motorcycle, ride more frequently and don't mind the absence of a charging port, the Bajaj Pulsar NS125 could be a suitable choice as it offers a longer wheelbase and higher seat height than the Pulsar N125. 

On the other hand, if you're a shorter rider, cover shorter distances and prefer modern features like a USB port and a digital instrument cluster, the Pulsar N125 would be a better fit.