Bajaj Pulsar 180 vs KTM 390 Duke R

Last Updated: October 22, 2026

Bajaj Pulsar 180 price starts at Rs. 1.22 Lakh, which is Rs. 2.25 Lakh cheaper than the base variant of KTM 390 Duke R, priced at Rs. 3.48 Lakh. On the performance front, the Pulsar 180 uses a 178.61cc engine producing 17 PS @ 8500 rpm and the 390 Duke R a 398.63cc engine producing 46 PS @ 8500 rpm. If you're deciding between the Pulsar 180 and 390 Duke R, the Pulsar 180 is the better pick for affordability and a lighter kerb weight, while the 390 Duke R stands out for performance.

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Pulsar 180 vs 390 Duke R Comparison Summary

Specification Bajaj Pulsar 180KTM 390 Duke R
Ex-showroom price (base) Rs. 1.22 LakhRs. 3.48 Lakh
Mileage Not Available30 kmpl
Engine 178.61 cc398.63 cc
Max power 17 PS @ 8500 rpm46 PS @ 8500 rpm
Kerb weight 156 Kg168.3 Kg

Pulsar 180 vs 390 Duke R Key Highlights

Basic Info Bajaj Pulsar 180 STDKTM 390 Duke R STD
Rating
1 review
144 reviews
Brand Name Bajaj KTM
Ex-Showroom Price Rs. 1.22 Lakh Check On Road Price Rs. 3.48 Lakh Check On Road Price
Engine Type 4 Stroke, Air cooled, Single Cylinder DTSi Single Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, DOHC, FI Engine
Max Power 17 PS @ 8500 rpm 46 PS @ 8500 rpm
Fuel Type Petrol Petrol
Colors
Bajaj Pulsar 180 Colors
KTM 390 Duke R Colors
Wheel Size Front :-431.8 mm,Rear :-431.8 mm Front :-431.8 mm,Rear :-431.8 mm
Wheels Type (Pressed Steel/ Alloy) Alloy Alloy
ABS Single Channel Dual Channel
Starting Self Start Only Self Start Only
Speedometer Digital Digital
EMI
Rs. 3,659 @ 11.99% (36 months)
Rs. 9,516 @ 6% (36 months)
Insurance Rs. 10,749 Pulsar 180 Insurance Rs. 22,902 390 Duke R Insurance
Brochure N/A
Download Brochure

Spark Plugs
Not Available
1 Per Cylinder
Valves (per cylinder)
Not Available
4
Claimed Top Speed
Not Available
167 kmph
Emission Norm Compliance
bs6.2
bs6.2
Flex Fuel Blend
E20
Not Available
Engine Type
4 Stroke, Air cooled, Single Cylinder DTSi
Single Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, DOHC, FI Engine
Engine Displacement
178.61 cc
398.63 cc
Gear Box
5 Speed
6 Speed
Max Power
17 PS @ 8500 rpm
46 PS @ 8500 rpm
Max Torque
15 Nm @ 6500 rpm
39 Nm @ 6500 rpm
Bore
Not Available
89 mm
Stroke
Not Available
64 mm
Number Of Cylinders
1
1
Drive Type
Chain Drive
Chain Drive
Fuel System
Fuel Injection
Fuel Injection
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Ignition
Not Available
Contactless, Controlled, Fully Electronic Ignition System With Digital Ignition Timing Adjustment
Compression Ratio
Not Available
12.71:1

Front Brake
Disc
Disc
Rear Brake
Disc
Disc
Front Caliper
Not Available
4 Piston
Rear Caliper
Not Available
2 Piston

Mileage (Overall)
Not Available
30 kmpl
Average Speed
Not Available
Yes
Fuel Gauge
Digital
Digital

Suspension-Front
Telescopic Dia 37
5 Click Compression And Rebound Adjustable, Open Cartridge, Wp Apex Usd Forks, 43 mm Diameter
Suspension-Rear
Twin Shock absorber, Gas filled with Canister
Adjustable Wp Apex Monoshock, 5 Step Rebound Damping, 10 Step Preload Adjustable

Front Tyre Pressure (Rider)
Not Available
29 psi
Front Tyre Pressure (Rider and Pillion)
Not Available
29 psi
Rear Tyre Pressure (Rider)
Not Available
32 psi
Rear Tyre Pressure (Rider and Pillion)
Not Available
32 psi
Tyre Size
Front :-90/90-17, Rear :-120/80-17
Front :-110/70-17, Rear :-150/60-17
Wheel Size
Front :-431.8 mm,Rear :-431.8 mm
Front :-431.8 mm,Rear :-431.8 mm
Tyre Type
Tubeless
Tubeless
Wheels Type (Pressed Steel/ Alloy)
Alloy
Alloy

Seat height
Not Available
800 mm
Fuel Tank Reserve Capacity
Not Available
3 L
Length*Width*Height
2035*765*1115 mm3
Not Available
Wheelbase
1340 mm
1357 mm
Length
2035 mm
Not Available
Ground Clearance
165 mm
183 mm
Height
1115 mm
Not Available
Width
765 mm
Not Available
Fuel Tank Capacity
15 L
15 L
Kerb Weight
156 Kg
168.3 Kg
Tail Light
LED
LED
Front Brake Size
280 mm
320 mm
Rear Brake Size
230 mm
240 mm

Call/SMS Alerts
Yes
Yes
USB charging port
Yes
Yes
Headlight
LED
LED
Battery Capacity
Not Available
12V / 8AH

Cruise Control
Not Available
Yes
Frame Type
Not Available
Split - Steel Trellis Frame, Aluminum Casted Sub-Frame
Digital Display Type
LCD
TFT
Malfunction Indicator
Not Available
Yes
Trip Meter
Digital
Digital
Vehicle Location Tracking
Not Available
Yes
Pillion Seat
Yes
Yes
Pillion Grab Rail
Yes
Yes
Calls and Messaging
Yes
Yes
Navigation assist
Not Available
Yes
Riding Modes
Not Available
Track,Rain,Street
Traction Control
Not Available
Yes
Kill Switch
Yes
Yes
Low battery alert
Not Available
Yes
Brightness Control
Not Available
Yes
No. of Tripmeters
Not Available
2
Engine Temperature Indicator
Not Available
Yes
Rear Footpegs
Yes
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
Yes
Yes
Additional Features/Information
Not Available
Ride By Wire, Supermoto Mode, Track Screen, Quickshifter+, Cornering ABS
Gear Position Indicator
Yes
Yes
ABS Type
Single Channel
Dual Channel
Side Stand Warning
Yes
Yes
Launch Control
Not Available
Yes
ABS
Single Channel
Dual Channel
Body Type
Sports Bikes
Sports Naked Bikes, Sports Bikes
Body Graphics
Yes
Yes
Instrument Console Type
Digital
Digital
Bluetooth Connectivity
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Internet Connectivity
Not Available
Yes
Starting
Self Start Only
Self Start Only
Seat Type
Single
Split
Pass Beam Switch
Yes
Yes
Speedometer
Digital
Digital
Tachometer
Digital
Digital
Low Fuel Warning Lamp
Yes
Yes
Clock
Yes
Digital
Low Battery Indicator
Not Available
Yes
Stepup Seat
Not Available
Yes
Low Oil Indicator
Not Available
Yes
Cooling System
Air Cooled
Liquid Cooled
Odometer
Digital
Digital
Navigation
Not Available
Yes
Service Due Indicator
Yes
Yes
Saree Guard
Not Available
Yes
Shift Light
Not Available
Yes
Quick Shifter
Not Available
Yes
Hazard Light Switch
Not Available
Yes

1st Service
Not Available
1000 Kms/45 Days
2nd Service
Not Available
8500 Kms/150 Days
3rd Service
Not Available
16000 Kms/240 Days

Vehicle Warranty
Not Available
2 Years or 30,000 Km
Standard Warranty (Years)
Not Available
2
Standard Warranty (kilometers)
Not Available
30000

Pros and Cons

  • Positives
  • Negatives
Bajaj Pulsar 180
  • OG Pulsar fans will love the iconic looks
  • Retains the massive 15-litre fuel tank
KTM 390 Duke R
  • Improved performance means this is the quickest bike in its segment
  • Brakes feel sharp and predictable
  • Adjustable suspension handles bad road well even in its stock setting
  • Lower seat height should make it more accessible to shorter riders
  • Feels super light on its feet and agile when changing directions
  • You can barely feel any engine heat, even in bumper to bumper traffic
  • Motor has become a lot smoother than before
Bajaj Pulsar 180
  • Still no dual channel ABS
  • Console could’ve been more info-packed, with navigation
KTM 390 Duke R
  • Some of the panel gaps are a little too pronounced
  • H-rated Metzeler tyres feel a little squiggly when pushing the bike hard and the signature KTM orange colour option looks too garish in this model
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Bajaj Pulsar 180 Comparison with Similar Bikes

Latest News on Bajaj Pulsar 180 and KTM 390 Duke R

Bajaj Pulsar 180 Vs KTM 390 Duke R FAQs

Which bike is best between Bajaj Pulsar 180 vs KTM 390 Duke R?
On the basis of mileage, performance, comfort, maintenance and safety user have rated both the bikes equally.
Which bike is cheaper Bajaj Pulsar 180 vs KTM 390 Duke R?
The Bajaj Pulsar 180 is cheaper than KTM 390 Duke R by ₹2.25 Lakh.
Which bike offers better performance Bajaj Pulsar 180 vs KTM 390 Duke R?
For the STD version, 178.61 cc Petrol engine of Pulsar 180 produces 17 PS @ 8500 rpm of power and 15 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque. Whereas for the STD version, 398.63 cc Petrol engine of 390 Duke R produces 46 PS @ 8500 rpm of power and 39 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque
As per the users experiences in terms of performance both are same.

Images of KTM 390 Duke R and Bajaj Pulsar 180

Which one do you like more?
Pulsar 180
Pulsar 180
390 Duke R
390 Duke R
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