Bajaj Pulsar

The Pulsar brand is what made Bajaj’s motorcycles so popular. It was first launched in 2001 with a 150cc engine. The standard front disc brake was something new for the time. The 180cc Bajaj Pulsar launched with a standard electric start – its 15bhp was enough to make it the fastest motorcycle made in India at the time. In 2003, the Pulsar’s styling changed. It also got the DTS-i tech, which was two spark plugs, that booster both power output as well as economy. Another two years after, 17-inch rims and gas-charged rear shock absorbers were the big changes. 2005 also was the year when Bajaj began to release new features for the Pulsar every year, for the next seven years.

2006 saw a major update of the Pulsar – non-contact, backlit switchgear; self-cancelling indicators; a mostly-digital instrument cluster, an LED tail lamp, and a non-contact speedo sensor. In 2007, Bajaj only just missed out launching the first fuel-injected Indian motorcycle, with the Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi. It also featured an oil cooler, a rear disc brake, and clip-on handlebars, all of which were new. 2008 was a bit of a rollback for the 220, with it ditching the fuel injection for carburettion. The instrument cluster also had warning lamps for a few new things like the air filter condition and oil level.

2009 saw the launch of the Pulsar LS 135. It was intended to be a sporty commuter and not a completely sports-focused model like the rest of the range. It had a four-valve engine head that was made of plastic, which was unusual. 2009 was also when the 3D tank logo debuted, as did the tank scoops and a switch to a DC electrical system. 2010 was when the Bajaj Pulsar 150 got the clip-on handlebars.

2012 was a big year for the brand, because the 200 NS was the first of the new-generation Pulsars, with a perimeter frame, liquid-cooled engine and rear monoshock. Other firsts include a triple spark engine and a four-valve head – this is an engine based on the KTM 200 Duke’s engine.

The current Bajaj Pulsar range has a distinct divide: the old-school Pulsars include the Bajaj Pulsar 150, Bajaj Pulsar 180 and Bajaj Pulsar 220F. Somewhere in the middle is the 135 LS, which caters to those who don’t want to compromise on fuel efficiency. Then there is the modern Pulsars with their perimeter frames, etc: the Bajaj Pulsar NS 160, Bajaj Pulsar NS 200 and Bajaj Pulsar RS 200.

The Bajaj Pulsar range continues to be defined by a lot of performance for the money, and excellent value, both in terms of purchasing and maintenance.