Bajaj Pulsar NS 250: The morning mist was just lifting off the Kari Motor Speedway when I thumbed the starter button on Bajaj’s newest street fighter. The engine came to life with a deep, resonant growl that immediately suggested this wasn’t just another incremental update to the Pulsar lineup.
After spending a full day thrashing the new Pulsar NS 250 around the track and subsequently living with it for a week on Pune’s chaotic streets, I can confidently say that Bajaj has delivered what might be the most compelling package in the hotly contested 250cc segment.
Bajaj Pulsar NS 250 Design: Evolved Aggression with Purpose
The NS 250 builds on the familiar naked sport aesthetic established by its smaller siblings while incorporating enough unique elements to establish its flagship status in the NS lineup. The front end features a muscular headlamp assembly with triple LED projectors flanked by distinctive LED daytime running lights that create an aggressive light signature.
“We wanted to create something immediately recognizable as a Pulsar but with a more sophisticated, premium character,” explained Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj Auto, during the launch event. “The NS 250 represents the evolution of the streetfighter design language that we pioneered in the Indian market.”
The fuel tank maintains the sculpted look that has defined the NS series, with sharper knee recesses that improve ergonomics during aggressive riding.
The belly pan is more substantial than on smaller NS models, adding visual mass to the lower portion of the motorcycle while also improving aerodynamics.
Available in three colorways – Fiery Yellow, Metallic Pearl White, and Racing Red – it’s the yellow variant with its contrasting gray trellis frame that most effectively showcases the bike’s technical components and performance intent.
From the rear, the split seat maintains a cohesive design with the tank while offering surprisingly good comfort for both rider and passenger. The tail section is compact and rises sharply, housing an LED taillight that enhances both visibility and premium appeal.
The short, stubby exhaust exits low on the right side, maintaining the mass-forward aesthetic while delivering a throaty exhaust note that enthusiasts will appreciate.
Engine: The Heart of the Matter
Under the sharply styled bodywork lies the NS 250’s crown jewel – an all-new 249.5cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve single-cylinder engine that represents a significant engineering achievement for Bajaj.
This powerplant delivers 28.6 PS at 9,000 rpm and 24 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm – competitive figures that place it among the more powerful options in the segment.
“This engine was developed with three primary goals – performance, refinement, and reliability,” noted Shrikant Navelkar, Head of Research and Development at Bajaj Auto.
We benchmarked it against international competitors, incorporating technologies like the dual overhead camshaft architecture, finger follower valve actuation, and advanced combustion chamber design to deliver a truly world-class package.”
The engine’s character is immediately apparent from the first throttle input. Unlike some high-strung 250cc singles that demand constant gear changes to stay in the powerband, the NS 250’s engine pulls strongly from as low as it.
Power builds in a linear, predictable fashion until around 7,000 rpm, where a noticeable surge carries you enthusiastically to the 11,000 rpm redline.
The 6-speed gearbox deserves special mention, with slick, precise shifts that represent a significant improvement over previous Pulsar transmissions.
The slipper clutch – a first for the NS series – provides a light lever pull while preventing rear wheel hop during aggressive downshifts, a feature I particularly appreciated when braking hard into Kari’s tight hairpin corners.
During my week of real-world testing, fuel efficiency averaged 35 km/l in mixed riding conditions – respectable considering how often the temptation to explore the upper rev range proved irresistible.
The 14-liter fuel tank thus provides a practical range of approximately 490 kilometers, making the NS 250 a viable option for longer weekend rides.
Chassis and Handling: Precision with Purpose
The NS 250 utilizes a perimeter frame constructed from steel tubes that offers an excellent balance of rigidity and controlled flex. This architecture, combined with the optimized weight distribution (49% front, 51% rear), creates a motorcycle that feels remarkably agile despite its 163 kg wet weight.
Suspension duties are handled by 41mm upside-down forks at the front and a monoshock with preload adjustment at the rear. Both units are supplied by Endurance and offer 130mm of travel – sufficient for absorbing typical road imperfections while maintaining composure during spirited riding.
The suspension tuning strikes an admirable balance between sporty responsiveness and daily comfort, though the front end can feel slightly firm over sharp-edged bumps at lower speeds.
Braking performance comes courtesy of a 320mm front disc gripped by a radial-mount caliper and a 230mm rear disc. The dual-channel ABS system developed with Continental intervenes with progressive sophistication, allowing for hard braking without prematurely cutting in during track sessions while still providing a crucial safety net on unpredictable public roads.
The 17-inch alloy wheels are shod with 100/80 front and 140/70 rear MRF Nylogrip Zapper tires that offer predictable grip in most conditions. While they proved adequate during our test period, serious track day enthusiasts might want to consider upgrading to stickier rubber to fully exploit the capable chassis.
During both track and street riding, what impressed most was the NS 250’s handling precision. The bike turns in with confidence-inspiring neutrality, holds a line obediently through corners, and transitions quickly between direction changes.
The riding position – slightly more relaxed than aggressive supersports but still sporty enough for enthusiastic cornering – contributes to this accessible performance envelope.
“We didn’t want to create a hard-edged track weapon that would be punishing on daily commutes,” explained Sumeet Narang, President of Bajaj Auto’s Probiking Business Unit. “The NS 250 needed to deliver excitement on weekend rides while remaining practical for the everyday realities of Indian riding conditions.”
Technology and Features: Raising the Bar
The technology package on the NS 250 represents Bajaj’s most comprehensive offering yet in the Pulsar lineup. The full-digital instrument cluster with its negative LCD display provides excellent visibility in all lighting conditions while offering a wealth of information including gear position indicator, shift light, real-time fuel efficiency, distance-to-empty, and even lean angle estimation – features typically found on motorcycles costing significantly more.
Bluetooth connectivity allows pairing with Bajaj’s Ride Connect app, providing access to call and message notifications, turn-by-turn navigation, and detailed ride statistics. This integration feels thoughtfully implemented rather than merely tacked on for marketing purposes.
The lighting system is fully LED, with the triple-projector headlight providing impressive illumination. The inclusion of a USB-C charging port below the handlebar acknowledges the importance of smartphone connectivity to today’s riders.
Particularly impressive is the inclusion of ride-by-wire throttle with three riding modes – Eco, City, and Sport – that adjust throttle response and power delivery.
While not as dramatically different as on higher-displacement motorcycles, the distinct character of each mode provides useful adaptability for varying riding conditions.
Other noteworthy features include an assist and slipper clutch, adjustable brake and clutch levers, aluminum alloy footpegs with rubber inserts, and an engine kill switch that doubles as a starter button – small touches that collectively create a premium ownership experience.
Market Positioning and Competition
With a price tag of ₹1.49 lakh for the standard variant and ₹1.57 lakh for the dual-channel ABS version (ex-showroom), the Pulsar NS 250 positions itself competitively in the quarter-liter naked segment. This pricing places it in direct competition with the Suzuki Gixxer 250, Yamaha FZ 25, and KTM 250 Duke.
Compared to these rivals, the NS 250 makes a compelling case through its combination of performance, features, and value. It offers more power than the Yamaha, more sophisticated technology than the Suzuki, and a significantly lower price point than the KTM while offering many similar features.
Bajaj expects to sell approximately 6,000-7,000 units monthly, which would immediately establish the NS 250 as a significant player in this segment.
The company has strategically ensured parts and service availability across its extensive dealer network, addressing potential concerns about maintenance costs that often accompany more performance-oriented motorcycles.
Real-World Impressions: Beyond the Spec Sheet
During my week with the NS 250 away from the controlled environment of the track, several aspects of the motorcycle’s character became apparent that don’t immediately stand out on a specification sheet.
The refinement level deserves special mention. Unlike some earlier Pulsars, the NS 250 exhibits minimal vibrations throughout the rev range, with only a slight buzziness appearing above 8,000 rpm at the footpegs.
The engine note is pleasantly melodious without being excessively loud – sporty enough to satisfy enthusiasts but unlikely to annoy neighbors during early morning starts.
Heat management, often a challenge for liquid-cooled engines in India’s traffic and climate, has been well-addressed. Even in bumper-to-bumper Pune traffic, engine temperature remained controlled, with the radiator fan cycling on predictably but not excessively. The heat shields on the exhaust effectively prevent any discomfort to the rider’s right leg.
Ergonomics strike a well-judged balance for riders of various heights. The 810mm seat height makes the bike accessible to shorter riders while still providing adequate leg room for taller ones.
The handlebar position creates a slight forward lean that feels sporty without becoming uncomfortable on longer rides, while the seat padding offers genuine all-day comfort – a factor often overlooked on performance-oriented machines.
Bajaj Pulsar NS 250 Conclusion: A Game-Changer for Bajaj?
The Pulsar NS 250 represents Bajaj’s most convincing entry yet in the premium motorcycle segment. By combining legitimate performance credentials with thoughtful features and competitive pricing, it addresses the evolving expectations of Indian motorcycle enthusiasts while remaining accessible to a broad audience.
Is it perfect? Not quite. The switchgear, while functional, lacks the tactile quality found on some competitors. The mirrors, though stylish, could provide better rearward visibility.
And while the stock tires are adequate for most riding conditions, they represent an area where some users might seek upgrades for maximum performance.
But these are relatively minor criticisms in what is otherwise an impressively cohesive package. The NS 250 successfully bridges the gap between everyday practicality and weekend excitement, offering genuine performance credentials without demanding significant compromises in comfort, efficiency, or affordability.
For younger riders stepping up from smaller motorcycles, the NS 250 provides a significant performance upgrade while remaining manageable and unintimidating.
For more experienced enthusiasts, it offers a compelling combination of capability and value that makes it worth considering even alongside more expensive options.
In a market segment that continues to gain momentum as Indian riders increasingly prioritize performance and features over mere transportation, the Pulsar NS 250 arrives at exactly the right time with exactly the right combination of attributes. It may well prove to be the model that firmly establishes Bajaj’s performance credentials beyond the Pulsar’s traditional audience.