Bajaj has introduced the new NS125

 Bajaj products have always been synonymous with affordable performance, especially the Pulsar range. With the launch of the NS200 in 2012, the Chakan-based brand took the game to a whole new level. In the past nine years, the NS200 has received several updates and seen two emission norm changes. This, of course, has resulted in a gradual and substantial price hike.

          The NS200’s price has increased from `84,096 (in 2012) to `1.39 lakh (current price). In 2017, Bajaj expanded the rangewith the more affordable NS160, but it, too, carries a sticker price of `1.15 lakh. Now, to expand the range further with a more affordable option, Bajaj has introduced the new NS125. The real question though is this – will a puny 125cc motor do justice to the NS badge, which has always stood for affordable performance?

FAMILIAR LOOK

The Pulsar NS125 carries the same design language as that of the bigger NS160 and the near decade-old NS200. In fact, despite new paint schemes and graphics on offer with the NS125, there is no denying that the design has begun to look a bit too familiar now. The baby NS also misses out on some essential features like an LED headlamp, a gear-position indicator, and a side-stand engine cut-off. In terms of quality, the NS125 feels solid, with impressive fit & finish.

INSIDE STORY

The NS125’s heart has been derived from that of the bigger NS160. With a bore diameter of 52mm and a stroke length of 60.7mm, this single-cylinder air-cooled 125cc unit is an under-square engine. There is sufficient grunt in the low- and mid-range, which makes it quite tractable in the city and sprightly, when you need it to be. The NS125 feels amply comfortable at speeds of about 60 – 70km/h and has enough power to hit triple-digit speeds. Post the 90km/h mark, however, the acceleration is rather slow and vibrations can be felt through the handlebars, foot pegs, and seat.

        Bajaj has taken a more economical approach with its e-carb system, which makes sure that the NS125’s throttle response is crisp and that the engine revs freely right up to the 9,000rpm mark. Overtaking on the highway, however, does require some planning and, in most cases, even a downshift or two.

            Speaking of shifts, the NS125’s gear ratios are well-calibrated. You can quickly move up the initial cogs in the city and rely on fourth and fifth gears on the highway. The five- speed transmission is slick and the clutch is light.

ON THE ROAD

The ride quality of the NS125 is on the stiffer side. The motorcycle over-reads the road surface, which gets borderline annoying. However, it works like a charm on twisty sections of the road, offering firm, positive handling and spirited performance. Its comfortable rider’s triangle further adds to its overall ride experience. The clip-on handlebars are relatively lower, and the foot pegs are rear-set, giving the NS125 a sporty riding stance.

              The motorcycle handles impressively. The overall chassis setup helps the NS125 hide its 144kgs of kerb weight. The bike has quick and sharp turn-ins and feels very surefooted, owing to its stiff suspension. However, the Ceat tyres are not very good in terms of inducing confidence – a pair of MRFs would have been just right.

STOPPING POWER

The NS125’s stopping force comes from a disc brake at the front – which, by the way, is smaller than that of the NS160 – and a drum setup at the back. There is some room for improvement in terms of the calibration of the braking system and you don’t get any feedback, neither from the lever nor from the pedal. The braking hardware on the NS125 does need an upgrade, and we suspect that Bajaj may offer a rear-disc variant sometime in the future.

VERDICT

The pricing of the NS125 is quite similar to that of the Pulsar 150 Neon edition, which has a larger motor and makes more power and torque. In fact, if you are looking to spend around `1 lakh on a bike, the Yamaha FZ FiM is also an option to consider. While both may seem like more sensible options, it wouldn’t be justified to completely discount the NS125. It does, after all, have better underpinnings and hardware that make it more engaging to ride.

                    The NS125 is quite good in terms of everyday usability and offers a touch of sportiness in the way it rides. In fact, I would go as far as to say that it offers a more involving ride than some motorcycles in the 150cc segment. Sure, it does fall behind in terms of features and has a slightly dated design, but like most Bajaj offerings, the NS125, too, offers an irresistible package at an attractive price point.