It’s been more than two decades since the first Bajaj Pulsars were introduced. From the original Pulsar twins to the fastest 220 and the adrenaline-packed 200, the Pulsar badge has become synonymous with power, performance and style. And it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the first-gen Pulsar bikes completely changed the Indian motorcycle scene. The name Pulsar not only offered maximum bang for the buck but also created a frenzy among enthusiasts and nonenthusiasts alike.

Today, 22 years later, Bajaj has introduced the biggest, fastest Pulsar yet – the Pulsar 250, with a mission to yet again change the sports-biking landscape in our part of the world. Mind you, the new Bajaj Pulsar N250 is not an upgraded Pulsar or a detuned platform shared KTM but an entirely new quarter-litre motorcycle built on an all-new platform, with a new engine, new chassis and components.

DESIGN

On the design front, it’s fair to say the Pulsar N250 receives mixed opinions. But, we love it. It’s powerful, aggressive, and fits with the bike’s naked streetfighter persona. Sporting a sculpted look, the N250 boasts a design language that looks bold and aggressive. The interplay of matte black and gloss-finished colour panels on the body creates a sporty two-tone effect, darker in the front and lighter towards the rear.

Probably the most eye-catching feature of the N250 is the LED projector unipod headlamp setup with flanking reverse-boomerang LED DRLs. The muscular fuel tank with extended front shrouds and the floating belly pan further enhance the aggressive profile of the bike. The exhaust is short, stubby and has twin ports. The rear section is equipped with flash-shaped tail lights – these lights when illuminated create an attractive frosted lens effect. There’s also a USB charging port near the tank flap.

The N250 gets an all-new semi-digital instrument cluster which remains true to the Pulsar lineage. The part analogue, part-digital speedometer offers all the necessary readouts, including gear position indicator, clock, fuel efficiency and distance to empty readings. But, there are no connected tech or riding modes. Although these features could have added more appeal, the tag of the ‘most affordable’ 250cc motorcycle hangs on the new Pulsar.

ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE:

Let’s begin with the heart of the matter, the engine. The 249.07cc engine found in the N250 is Bajaj’s largest engine in the Pulsar range. Surprisingly, the N250 is also the most refined Pulsar to date. Although Pulsars are not known for their refinement levels, the N250’s motor is quite smooth and mainly vibration-free. The reason? Bajaj has introduced an offset crank and a spring-loaded final drive for the balancer shaft to counter the vibrations.

With 24.1 bhp and 21.5 Nm on tap, performance is on par for this segment. It doesn’t fall short of what you’d want and expect at this price point and displacement. Roll on the throttle and the bike pulls cleanly without any stress. The new engine is delightfully smooth and packs a decent performance throughout the band range. Keep the revs between 4,000rpm to 7,000rpm and that’s where the power is astonishingly good. The meaty mid-range further enhances the free-revving, unfettered power of the engine. You can even slot the gearbox in 4th and ride at 30-40kph in the city without any protest from the engine.

The five-speed gearbox is smooth and the slip and assist clutch also makes it a joy to operate during aggressive downshifting. Bajaj says the omission of a sixth cog was to keep the price in check. That being said, the bike doesn’t have ride-by-wire and hence there are no ride modes either. Nevertheless, there are no complaints here.

RIDE AND HANDLING:

The N250’s ergonomics are well suited towards city and street riding. The seat height, at 795mm, offers a comfortable riding stance even for smaller riders. The wide handlebar and the slightly rear-set footpegs provide a fairly upright riding position. When it comes to negotiating through tight spaces, especially where parking and U-turns are concerned, the larger turning radius sticks out as a sore point.

Like most products from the Bajaj stable, the N250 is an absolute blast in the city. It is a nimble and agile motorcycle making it great for shuffling through the fast-moving city traffic. Even though the bike is heavy at 162 kg (kerb), it corners with confidence and feels stable. The N250 comes across as a very manageable motorcycle and the compact wheelbase accentuates its ability to flick in and out of tight spaces.

The bike sits on a new tubular steel frame to offer stable and precise handling. Spend a short while on the Pulsar N250 and you’ll be really appreciative of the fantastic ride quality. The bike’s conventional telescopic fork and gas-charged rear mono shock are so well set up that even large potholes fail to unsettle this bike. The pliant suspension setup does a fantastic job of ironing out most undulations with ease and the grippy MRF Zappers ( 100/80 – 17 Front & 130/70 – 17 Rear) boost your confidence on any terrain. The contoured step seat is soft and the pillion seat is long and has ample space.

The brakes are from a new brand: Gremica. Although braking duties are handled by 300mm front and 230mm rear disc brakes, it has room for improvement though. The front brake requires a little more bite and feel to bring the bike to a halt. As an added safety net, the bike gets a dual-channel ABS system. But, the system isn’t switchable.

VERDICT:

The Pulsar N250 is the most affordable quarter-litre motorcycle out there and therein lies its tremendous appeal. The N250’s biggest asset is its competent engine which will cater to what most buyers seek in this segment. The bike is aggressive, has plenty of character, and rides quite effortlessly. The Pulsar N250 offers a fun riding experience but more importantly, it is a new breed of motorcycle coming out of Chakan.

In essence, the Pulsar N250 is an excellent machine that is ready to tackle the hustle and bustle of everyday riding without sacrificing the experience. At Rs 4.89 Lakh*, the N250 costs around Rs 15000 more than its closest rival – Yamaha FZ-25. Although the N250 is dearer than the FZ-25, the bike makes a compelling case for itself with its unbeatable proposition. No arguing that.

*(Pricing correct at the time of writing)