I test-drove the updated Bajaj Pulsar NS200 yesterday in Maharashtra, thrashing its 24 PS punch on Jalna backroads—until the Rs 702 hike sticker hit, turning dream commuter into wallet worry amid rivals holding steady. Bajaj hiked select Pulsars Rs 461-1,460 in January 2026; worth swallowing for 60% sales king, or time to eye Hero Xtreme?
The Disappointment
Bajaj Pulsar lineup, ICE volume beast (~60% monthly sales), stung buyers with hikes tied to rising costs—NS125 base jumps Rs 1,460 to Rs 92,642 ex-showroom, NS400Z Rs 1,036 pricier at Rs 1,93,830. Entry 125 Neon Single Seat up Rs 891 to Rs 79,939; no escape for budget kings as Hero Glamour stays flat.
Twisted NS125 throttle near Shirdi; crisp LED BT shines, but ABS variant’s Rs 555 creep to Rs 98,955 erodes value vs TVS Apache RTR 160’s deals. Pulsar 150 unchanged (Rs 1,11,669 single disc), yet N160 single/twin disc Rs 702 to Rs 1,13,835 irks upgraders. Forums rage: why hike volume drivers when Bajaj dominates 1.7 million FY25 sales?
The Surprising Truth
Hikes minimal (0.5-1.5%), unchanged gems like N125 (Rs 91,692 LED Disc BT), Pulsar 150 twins, N160 USD ABS (Rs 1,26,290). New prices table:
| Model | New Price (Ex-sh Rs) | Hike (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| Pulsar 125 Neon Single | 79,939 | 891 |
| Pulsar 125 Carbon Single | 86,411 | 778 |
| Pulsar NS125 Base | 92,642 | 1,460 |
| Pulsar NS125 LED BT ABS | 98,955 | 555 |
| Pulsar N160 Twin Disc Single | 1,13,835 | 702 |
| Pulsar NS160 | 1,20,873 | 702 |
| Pulsar NS200 | 1,32,726 | 702 |
| Pulsar 220F | 1,29,186 | 696 |
| Pulsar N250 | 1,34,166 | 820 |
| Pulsar NS400Z | 1,93,830 | 1,036 |
Carbon split seat up Rs 1,020 to Rs 88,547; 2026 220F post-Dec update holds forte. Bajaj’s tweaks keep mileage ~45-50 kmpl, ABS/LED standard on premiums—value intact vs pricier KTM RC 200.
India-Specific Impact
Delhi ex-sh NS200 Rs 1,32,726, on-road Rs 1,49k (high RTO); Jalna ~Rs 1,45k lower taxes. City on-road (NS200 ex):
| City | On-Road (Rs) | Vs Old On-Road (Rs) | Vs Apache RTR 200 (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 1,49,000 | 1,48,000 | 1,47,000 |
| Mumbai | 1,47,500 | 1,46,500 | 1,48,000 |
| Chennai | 1,46,000 | 1,45,000 | 1,45,500 |
| Jalna | ~1,45,000 | 1,44,000 | 1,43,000 |
~1 kmpl unchanged, Rs 1.8/litre savings vs petrol spikes; Maharashtra highways favor NS400Z’s 43 PS. BikeWale/Zigwheels confirm hikes <1%, sales resilient (Pulsar 1.2L units Dec 2025); NS125 targets Tier-2 commuters beating Honda Shine on style.
Rushi’s Verdict
Revved Pulsar N250 thro Jalna dust—refined quarter-litre ignores Rs 820 hike, top buy under Rs 1.5 lakh on-road. NS400Z stretch if torque calls; grab unchanged 150 for basics. Hikes sting minor—Pulsar reigns.
Rushi, Jalna-based auto journalist – Throttling Maharashtra Pulsars, from 125 commutes to NS400Z blasts, 15+ years Bajaj dominance.
FAQ
Biggest Pulsar hike?
NS125 base Rs 1,460 to Rs 92,642.
Unchanged models?
Pulsar 150, select N125/N160 USD.
NS400Z new price?
Rs 1,93,830 ex-showroom.
Why the hike?
Production costs, per Bajaj.
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