ZigOpinion: The Bajaj Pulsar 250F Might Undercut Pulsar 220F In Price. Here’s Why

[UPDATE: Bajaj has launched the Pulsar F250 and the N250 in India at Rs 1.40 lakh and Rs 1.38 lakh respectively. For more details on the specifications, availability and features, head to our launch story.]

The Bajaj Pulsar 250F has been spotted multiple times lately, and the bike looks pretty much production-ready. Expect the Pune-based bikemaker to launch the motorcycle perhaps next month. On the other hand, its predecessor, the Bajaj Pulsar 220F, has witnessed several price hikes of late, now costing Rs 1,32,378 (ex-showroom Delhi). That’s a lot considering just how old and unchanged the motorcycle is. 

Will Bajaj be able to reverse this with the new Pulsar 250F? We think yes. Here’s why:

No-frills Features

Pulsar 220F's instrument cluster shown for representation

One of the test mules of the Bajaj Pulsar 250F featured a semi-digital instrument cluster (like the current-generation model) instead of a fully digital unit we had expected earlier. While this console can display things like real-time mileage and distance-to-empty figures, it doesn’t have more sophisticated functions like smartphone connectivity or turn-by-turn navigation. If Bajaj does eventually use the same console in its upcoming motorcycle, it will save quite a bit of money on that front. 

Moreover, the bike uses a cost-effective air-cooled engine with oil-cooler. The recently revealed VVA technology (read our exclusive story here) is still relatively new, so Bajaj might not equip the Pulsar 250F with it just yet. 

B For Bargain

Bajaj knows how to manufacture products at extremely competitive prices. It’s also one of the reasons why other international makers like KTM and Triumph wanted to join hands with the homegrown company eyeing global domination. 

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In keeping with this, Bajaj will surely look for ways to share parts for the Pulsar 250F with the existing lineup. A closer look at the test bike’s disc brakes, rear monoshock, and wheels show that they might have been borrowed from the Bajaj Pulsar NS200/RS200 range. The exhaust, too, has been lifted from the Bajaj Dominar 400. Such measures should go a long way in keeping costs in check. 

One really important aspect here will be that this new Pulsar 250F will become the basis for all other Pulsars going forward. From what we understand, the chassis, suspension components and engine will all be scalable for bikes ranging from 125cc to 250cc, all of which will eventually replace the current Pulsar line-up. With such numbers in this platform’s future, Bajaj will have huge economies of scale, and will be able to bring down the price of each model to quite some degree.

To top things off, the 300cc segment is becoming increasingly expensive, resulting in a spurt in the demand for 250cc bikes. Several manufacturers have also been reducing the prices of their quarter-litre offerings lately. Therefore, we won’t be surprised if Bajaj manages to price the motorcycle at around Rs 1.25 lakh (ex-showroom). If it does, then the Pulsar 250F will undercut not only the Pulsar 220F (by around Rs 7,000) but also its primary rival, the Yamaha FZ-S 25, by almost Rs 14,000!

Who wouldn’t want a sporty quarter-litre naked with a legendary brand name at a cutthroat price?