Bajaj Pulsar NS125 review, road test

You could pick up our 2012 issue, flip over to the review of the NS200, and know pretty much all there is to know about the NS125's design. That's because not only has the NS200 remained nearly identical over the last nine years, but the NS125 also looks almost like a twin to its larger sibling, save for a smaller engine, skinner tyres, a more slender (but still box-section) swingarm and different graphics.

Perhaps the biggest praise of this design is the fact that it remains pleasing to the eye even today. Aside from the KTM pair (which cost a good 75 percent more than this little NS), nothing else in the 125cc class looks as special or as sporty. The youthful face created by the single headlight and twin pilot lamps is still fresh, as are the Pulsar-typical twin vertical strips that function as brake lamps. Overall, the NS125 gets a handsome streetfighter look, without anything overly muscular or flamboyant.

For what it’s worth, the updated graphics schemes have done their part in helping the NS series mask its age, and that continues with this 125cc iteration too. Though we are glad that Bajaj gave the white frame and wheels a miss on this smaller version. The design of the wheels is one of the highlights of the NS’ look, along with a neat tail section. If we had to nitpick, the skinner tyres do look slightly disproportionate to the rest of the motorcycle, but it’s certainly no deal-breaker.

Quality levels are a marked step-up over something like the Pulsar 125, with decent fit and finish, and tight panel gaps across the NS125. That being said, the one area of the bike that really feels dated after all these years is instrumentation. Like its design, the NS125 borrows its semi-digital instrumentation from the NS200, meaning an analogue tachometer (which is nice) and digital speedometer, but no information about gear position or fuel consumption (which is not so nice).

Along with the displays, the switchgear could also do with an update.