The fastest Indian. This expression was frequently used to characterize the Bajaj Pulsars. With the introduction of the Pulsar 150 and Pulsar 180 in 2001, the Pulsar brand was established. The company’s objective was straightforward: to democratize performance. And that it most certainly did.
The Pulsar line of motorcycles quickly rose to prominence as the embodiment of affordable thrills. We have even used it as our go-to platform to shatter absurd records like the quickest quarter-mile wheelie and the longest wheelie without hands.
The Pulsar brand also made Bajaj globally known. The largest Pulsars ever, the F250 and the N250, were added to Bajaj’s range precisely 23 years after the original Pulsar was introduced. Now that you are fully informed about the new Pulsars let’s go back a little and examine the origins of the Pulsar brand.
Bajaj Pulsar Timeline (2001-Present)
PULSARS 150 AND 180 – 2001
This is the origin of the Pulsar name; this is the genesis. Bajaj advertised the bike with the motto “Definitely Male.” The Pulsar 150 and the Pulsar 180 were the first-ever Pulsars, which debuted in 2001. For their day, these bikes were incredibly advanced, providing best-in-class performance without sacrificing usability: between 150 and 180 horsepower, the 180 produced 14.7 horsepower. The best part was that a 5-speed transmission was attached to these commuter bikes in India.
The 150’s five-speed gearbox was interesting in that it had an all-up shift pattern. With their well-sorted chassis, the Pulsars became the benchmark for the thrill of riding immediately. This was significant since, at the time, bikes like the Hero CBZ and TVS Fiero were still in production. The Bajaj was genuinely state-of-the-art! The first significant update to the bikes came in 2003 with the UG-1, which included a revised headlamp and a bikini fairing.
PULSAR 180 DTS-I AND THE PULSAR 150 DTS-I UG2 – 2004
The 2004 UG-2 update was the first significant update for the Pulsars. The 18-inch spoked rims were reduced to 17-inch alloy wheels with this update, which, when combined with the new “nitrox twin shock absorbers,” greatly enhanced the Pulsars’ handling qualities. That wasn’t all, though. Additionally, the experts at Bajaj unveiled their unique DTS-i, or Digital Twin Spark ignition technology, which enhanced combustion and increased the 150 and 180’s power to 13 and 16 horsepower, respectively. For this generation, the Pulsar 180 also received an all-black motif.
PULSAR 180 DTS-I AND THE PULSAR 150 DTS-I UG3 – 2006
Another noteworthy upgrade was this one for UG-3. Although Bajaj didn’t add any mechanical modifications to the Pulsars this generation, the feature list was significantly expanded. Along with sharper body panels, the bikes now have a new style. This generation also saw the introduction of the characteristic dual-stripe tail light design. The new pilot lighting, dubbed “wolf-eyed” by Bajaj, also made the headlamp more focused. In addition to the aesthetic modifications, the bikes now had amenities, including a digital speedometer, an engine stop button, backlit switchgear, an RPM shift light, and flexible turn signals that could cancel themselves out and break less frequently.
PULSAR 220 DTS-FI AND PULSAR 200 DTS-I – 2007
The Bajaj Pulsar 200 DTS-I came next, along with the Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi, the fastest Indian tagline in the world. Among the company’s initial oil-cooled motorcycles was the Pulsar 200. It had a more angular appearance, a giant 120-section rear tyre, split seats, and an electric starter. The Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi was another. As the name implies, fuel injection was a first for the company on the 220 DTS-Fi. The bike received a complete makeover, including a new fairing, an eye-catching headlamp, and a rear disc brake—a first for this market.
Its sizable 220cc engine, which produced about 20 horsepower, also made it the quickest and most potent Pulsar of its era. Adding gasoline injection to the bike was a significant step forward, but it wasn’t the commercial success Bajaj had hoped for. Due to issues with the FI system, the bike was quickly rebranded as the Pulsar 220 DTS-i and released with a carburetor.
BAJAJ PULSAR 180 DTS-I UG-4 AND PULSAR 135 LS – 2009
The 135LS DTS-i, the smallest Pulsar, was launched in 2009. Using DTS-i technology, Bajaj employed a four-valve engine for the first time. This 135cc, four-stroke, four-valve engine produced 11.4 Nm of torque and about 13 horsepower. While keeping the Pulsar DNA, the Pulsar 135 LS also has the most distinctive appearance in the lineup. The Pulsar 180 DTS-I received an update along with the launch of the Pulsar 135LS. The changes included a wider 120-section tyre, clip-on handlebars, and a split seat design, all of which were taken from the Pulsar 200.
PULSAR NS200 – 2012
For Bajaj, the Pulsar NS200 marked the beginning of a new era. With its KTM-derived engine, the NS200, short for naked sports, was the most potent Pulsar ever launched. With features including a rigid perimeter frame, a gas-charged mono-shock, and a liquid-cooled DTS-i triple spark engine coupled to a six-speed gearbox, it was also the most advanced Pulsar to date in terms of handling. The bike is still available for purchase and still has a lot going for it, even though it was introduced in 2012. In fact, it has been our go-to tool for shattering records around the country.
PULSAR AS200 – 2015
That year, Bajaj Bikes in India also introduced two other fair bikes, but they had a different purpose. Adventure Sports 150 and 200, abbreviated AS, were introduced. The bike was essentially an NS 200 with fairing, a taller windscreen, and a more comfortable riding position, designed to be a long-distance touring substitute. However, not enough was done to make it a genuinely unique bike, and in the end, Bajaj discontinued it.
PULSAR NS160 – 2016
In 2016, Bajaj introduced the Pulsar NS160 to offer clients the experience of the NS200 but with a smaller power plant between the perimeter frame. Up until the NS125 was released five years later, this was also the most reasonably priced NS available. We broke a national record with the NS160, which is still available for purchase.
PULSAR 125 – 2019
With its 2019 introduction, the Bajaj Pulsar 125 has dethroned the 135LS as the smallest Pulsar. The bike was propelled by a slightly modified but smaller displacement NS160 engine. The majority of its cycle parts are sourced from the larger Pulsar 150 DTS-i, its brother. Its design almost makes it look like the Pulsar 150 or 18 until you see the thinner tyres and smaller disc brakes.
PULSAR NS 125 – 2021
The NS125 is Bajaj’s third, newest, and smallest model in its portfolio of Pulsars. The dynamic package (perimeter frame and suspension) of the NS160 was combined with the user-friendly and economical performance of the Pulsar 125 to create the Pulsar NS125. For those wishing to begin their motorbike travels on a budget, the NS160 quickly became the preferred option.
PULSAR F250 AND N250 – 2021
Bajaj debuted the Pulsar F250 and N250 twenty years after launching the original Pulsar 150 and 180, often known as the Bajaj Pulsar Classic. This means that with their brand-new 249.07cc single-cylinder engine, these Pulsars are the largest to date. The engine produces 24.1 horsepower and 21 Nm of torque, and it is coupled to a five-speed gearbox instead of the six-speeders on the NS and RS.
The bikes’ designs are fresh as well, yet they still have that distinctive Pulsar DNA. With a new steel-tubular structure that leverages the engine as a load-bearing member, the entire chassis configuration is new—a mono-shock at the back and a 37mm telescopic fork setup up front handle suspension chores.
