Bajaj Pulsar 125 is an exciting choice for entry-level bikes in India. Adding to the series the company entered the sporty NS125 in this segment, recently. To give Bajaj tough competition and its entry-level bikes, TVS launched Raider to capture a large chunk of the thriving 125cc space, which was missing. Raider being a new powerful and featured packed bike the main question that arises is which among these three are a better pick. This brief comparison will surely help you.
Table of Contents
Exterior
Talking about the styling, Raider looks comparatively fresh and youthful with its daytime running LED DRLs. On the other hand, both the pulsar 125 and NS125 looks a generation old as the company has not given any major updates in aesthetics. Despite being old NS 125 is a reliable machine and has proven itself over the years.Â
The riding posture of the Raider and NS125 is a bit aggressive if we compare it with the posture of Pulsar 125. The company has offered Pulsar 125 in two options. Pulsar 125 Neon and 125 split seats. The Neon is available in three colour shades Neon Blue, Solar Red, and Platinum Silver. The 125 Split Seat is also available in three colours -Black Silver, Black Red, and Neon Green.
The new Bajaj Pulsar NS125 looks completely identical to its elder siblings NS 200 / NS 160 and it is available in four colour shades. They are Beach Blue, Fiery Orange, Burnt Red and Pewter Grey. Talking about TVS raider it is available in 4 different colours Wicked Black, Blazing Blue, Striking Red, Fiery Yellow.
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Features
In this segment both the pulsar bikes take a big hit as Raider is feature packed with an under-seat storage compartment under the pillion seat, a side-stand engine cut-off, and an optional USB charging port positioned under the handlebar. NS125 and Raider have rear footpegs and lower placed handlebars to give them a sporty riding position. Pulsar 125 on the other hand has more of a commuter riding position.Â
One place where Pulsar NS125 comes ahead is clip-on handlebars as the other two options get a single piece handlebar. Talking about the instrument cluster both the Pulsar series bikes have been using the same old semi-digital instrument cluster which shows basic details like speed, fuel and RPM.Â
Unlike them, TVS Raider offers a full-digital instrument console. It’s packed with features like gear position and shift indicator, top speed and average speed recorder, helmet reminder, range and mileage indicators, Eco and Power modes. The company also promised to soon introduce another variant with a smartphone-compatible full-colour TFT console with turn-by-turn navigation, call and message functions, and more.
Engine
Powering the TVS Raider is an all-new 124.8cc single-cylinder fuel-injected motor. The same produces 11.38PS of power at 7,500rpm and 11.2Nm of peak torque at 6,000rpm. The NS, in comparison, packs a 124.45cc single-cylinder air-cooled 2-valve engine with an electronic carburettor.Â
It’s tuned to churn out 11.99PS of power at 8,500rpm and 11Nm of torque at 7,000rpm. The Bajaj Pulsar 125 is powered by a BS6 compliant 124.4cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that churns out 11.8 PS of power at 8,500 RPM and 10.8 Nm of torque at 6,500 RPM.Â
The engines on all the bikes are paired with 5-speed manual transmission. Raider gets some extra features for the engine too like Eco and Power riding modes, along with an idle stop-start system.
Pricing
The TVS Raider is available in two variants drum and disc (brakes), priced at Rs 77,500 and Rs 85,469, respectively. The Bajaj Pulsar NS125 is available in a single disc variant priced at Rs 98,234. On the other hand, Bajaj Pulsar 125 BS6 is currently priced between Rs 73,363 – Rs 82,989 (depending on which model you choose). All the prices here are ex-showroom, India.
These bikes are closely priced and are worth considering. If one wants a commuter bike, they can surely go with the Pulsar 125 BS6. If a customer wants to own a fully naked sports bike they can consider buying NS125. And people who want the latest technology, somewhere in between both sports and commuter bikes can opt for TVS Raider.
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