2024 Bajaj Pulsar N250 First Ride Review | Even More Value For Money ...
- Apr 13, 2024
- Views : 9392
Bajaj Auto has launched the 2024 Bajaj Pulsar N250 and has given it several updates including an inverted fork, new console, traction control, among others. So, with these updates, how does it fare against its rivals: the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V, KTM 200 Duke and Suzuki Gixxer 250, on paper? Let’s take a look:
Specifications |
Bajaj Pulsar N250 |
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V |
KTM 200 Duke |
Suzuki Gixxer 250 |
Engine |
249.07cc, single-cylinder, air/oil-cooled engine |
197.75cc, single-cylinder, air/oil-cooled engine |
199.5cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine |
249cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine |
Power |
24.5PS @ 8750rpm |
20.82PS @ 9000rpm |
25PS @ 10,000rpm |
26.5PS @ 9300rpm |
Torque |
21.5Nm @ 6500rpm |
17.25Nm @ 7250rpm |
19.3Nm @ 8000rpm |
22.2Nm @ 7300rpm |
Gearbox |
5-speed with assist and slipper clutch |
5-speed with slipper clutch |
6-speed |
6-speed |
The Suzuki Gixxer 250 and the KTM 200 Duke are the most powerful bikes among the four but with different engine characteristics. The KTM 200 Duke is quite a rev-happy bike as it comes with a high-strung liquid-cooled engine. Also, it is the only bike with a liquid-cooled engine among these. The Suzuki Gixxer 250, on the other hand, comes with a unique oil-cooled engine (the only one of its kind in India). This along with the displacement advantage, ensures it is the most powerful as well as the torquiest one in this comparo.
Despite having an air-oil-cooled engine, the Bajaj Pulsar N250 isn’t too far off from the Gixxer 250 in terms of power and torque figures. The TVS Apache RTR 200 4V’s rev-happy oversquare engine setup with air-and oil-cooled configuration ensures good performance for its class. It may have the least output figures but makes up with its segment-first features including multiple riding modes. More about it in the feature section.
Specifications |
Bajaj Pulsar N250 |
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V |
KTM 200 Duke |
Suzuki Gixxer 250 |
Front suspension |
37mm Inverted fork |
Telescopic fork |
43mm WP Apex inverted fork |
Telescopic fork |
Rear suspension |
Nitrox Monoshock |
Monoshock |
WP Apex monoshock |
Monoshock |
Front brake |
300mm disc brake |
270mm petal disc brake |
300mm Disc brake |
Disc brake |
Rear brake |
230mm disc brake |
240mm petal disc brake |
230mm Disc brake |
Disc brake |
Front tyre |
110/70-17 |
90/90-17 |
110/70-17 |
110/70-17 |
Rear tyre |
140/70-17 |
130/70-17 |
150/60-17 |
150/60-17 |
On paper, the KTM 200 Duke gets the most sophisticated suspension setup with components from WP. The Bajaj Pulsar N250 also moves into that category now with the addition of inverted fork in the 2024 model. But a telescopic fork, which the Apache RTR 200 4V and the Gixxer 250 gets, need not necessarily mean an inferior setup on paper. How a suspension setup performs with respect to the rest of the bike and the prevalent road conditions is something that can be determined by only riding the bike. Also, interestingly, the RTR 200 4V’s telescopic fork gets preload-adjustability, a unique feature in the sub-300cc segment and one that allows its rider to adjust the suspension setup according to their weight and road conditions.
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Except for the RTR 200 4V, all the other bikes have fatter tyres which should help in offering better grip while tackling corners. However, the grip levels are also dependent on the tyre model and its composition, not just size.
Specifications |
Bajaj Pulsar N250 |
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V |
KTM 200 Duke |
Suzuki Gixxer 250 |
Wheelbase |
1342mm |
1353mm |
NA |
1340mm |
Ground clearance |
165mm |
180mm |
155mm |
165mm |
Fuel tank capacity |
14-litres |
12-litres |
13.4-litres |
12-litres |
Seat height |
800mm |
800mm |
822mm |
800mm |
Kerb weight |
164kg |
152kg |
159kg |
156kg |
The KTM 200 Duke has the lowest ground clearance among all of them, meaning owners of the bike have to be extra careful while going over potholes and bumps. The RTR 200 4V, on the other hand, has the highest ground clearance, making it perfectly suited for Indian roads compared to the rest of the bikes in this comparison. The Pulsar N250 has the biggest fuel tank of the lot, which should ensure lesser fuel stops. The seat height is the same for three of the bikes but the 200 Duke’s 822mm seat height might make it a bit inaccessible for shorter riders. The Pulsar N250 has the heaviest kerb weight, which will make it more difficult to manoeuvre in tight spaces compared to the other bikes.
Bajaj Pulsar N250 |
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V |
KTM 200 Duke |
Suzuki Gixxer 250 |
|
Instrument Console |
LCD |
LCD |
LCD |
LCD |
Bluetooth Connectivity |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Navigation |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
The Bajaj Pulsar N250 gets a new LCD instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation which the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V and the Suzuki Gixxer 250 have had for a while now. However, only the top-spec Gixxer 250 gets those features. The KTM 200 Duke entirely misses out on that feature. In fact, it has the least amount of features among all these bikes. The RTR 200 4V gets segment first riding does: Rain, Urban and Sport, which slightly tips the scales in its favour . Also, through the TVS SmartXonnect app, riders can also access a variety of race data during their track sessions and also shows the rider’s lean angles through corners.
But the Pulsar N250 gets switchable traction control, ABS modes: Rain, Road and Off Road. These features are not available in any other bikes in this list. And these features along with the updates mentioned are available for a premium of only Rs 851 more than the previous model!
Bajaj Pulsar N250 |
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V |
KTM 200 Duke |
Suzuki Gixxer 250 |
Rs 1,50,829 |
Rs 1,46,820 |
Rs 1,96,685 |
Rs 1,81,400 (base variant) |
(all prices ex-showroom Delhi)
So, considering all the parameters above, the 2024 Bajaj Pulsar N250 provides the best value for money proposition than the rest of the bikes. Sure, the KTM 200 Duke provides exhilarating performance, the Apache gets features like adjustable fork and ride modes and the Gixxer 250 is the most powerful bike. But the Pulsar N250 ticks all the boxes like performance, suspension, features and more at a much more affordable price range. For example, the Gixxer 250’s Ride Connect variant, which contains the whole range of features on offer from Suzuki like turn-by-turn navigation, costs Rs 1,98,001 (ex-showroom Delhi). But the Pulsar N250 offers that and much, much more for almost half a lakh rupees less.
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