Bajaj Pulsar 150 vs TVS Apache RTR 160 2V: Image Comparison

Both bikes have been in the market for a while now, and have gained the trust of many. They offer good performance and stylish looks, but let’s find out how they compete against each other

The Bajaj Pulsar 150 and TVS Apache RTR 160 2V compete in the premium 150-160cc segment. Both bikes have been in the market for a while now, and have gained the trust of many.

The 2024 Bajaj Pulsar was recently launched with a fully digital instrument console and Bluetooth connectivity along with updated colours and graphics. On the other hand, the range-topping TVS Apache RTR 160 2V already comes with a digital console and Bluetooth connectivity.

Design

While the looks of both the bikes have been slightly tweaked over the years to keep them fresh, they are still more or less the same. Some may love them and some may see them as outdated. The Pulsar 150 single-disc variant and the TVS Apache RTR 160 2V both get a single-seat setup, whereas the dual-disc Pulsar 150 has split seats.

The Bajaj Pulsar 150 comes with the iconic Pulsar design which looks stylish. The bike gets updated graphics with ‘150’ on the lower half of the tank and tank extensions. The overall design has remained unchanged, and the OG Pulsar fans would love it. It has a muscular front-end design with a curvy headlight. At the rear, it gets a sleek tail section with slim tail lights. The Pulsar 150 gets three colour options: Sparkle Black Silver, Sparkle Black Red, and Sapphire Black Blue

The TVS Apache RTR 160 2V on the other hand looks bulkier. At the front, the bike gets eyebrow-shaped DRLs (daytime running lights) that make it look more aggressive. The muscular fuel tank compliments its overall design. At the rear, the tail section is also broader than the Pulsar's. The Apache RTR 160 2V is available in six colour options including T Grey, Matte Blue, Racing Red, Gloss Black, Pearl White and the latest Glossy Black.

Engine

The Bajaj Pulsar 150 is powered by a 149.5cc, 2-valve, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine that produces 14PS at 8500rpm and 13.25Nm at 6500rpm. The Apache RTR 160 2V is equipped with a 159.7cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine, and gets three riding modes: Sport, Urban, and Rain. It delivers 16.04PS at 8750rpm and 13.85Nm at 7000rpm in Sport mode and 13.32PS at 8000rpm and 12.7Nm at 6500rpm in Urban and Rain modes. Both bikes' engine are mated to a 5-speed gearbox. 

The RTR 160 2V delivers a real-world tested mileage of 45.06kmpl in the city and 46.99kmpl on the highway. While we didn’t get the chance to test the Pulsar 150 yet, expect the mileage to be similar to the Apache.

Underpinnings

The Bajaj Pulsar 150 is equipped with a telescopic fork, a 31mm unit on the single-disc variant and a fatter 37mm one on the dual-disc variant. It gets twin gas-charged shock absorbers at the rear. The single-disc variant gets a 260mm front disc and a 130mm rear drum brake with single-channel ABS, whereas the dual-disc variant is fitted with a 280mm front and 230mm rear disc brake with dual-channel ABS.

Both the variants ride on 17-inch alloy wheels. The single-disc variant comes with an 80-section front and a 100-section tubeless rear tyre. The dual-disc variant, on the other hand, gets a 90-section front and 120-section rear tubeless tyres. With a ground clearance of 165mm, the Pulsar 150 gets a seat height of 785mm and has a 15-litre fuel tank capacity. The single-disc variant weighs 148kg and the dual-disc variant has a kerb weight of 150kg.

The TVS Apache RTR 160 2V gets a telescopic fork and twin gas-charged rear shocks. Braking is handled by a 270mm front disc as standard. While the drum variant gets a 130mm drum brake, the disc and disc BT variants come with a 200mm disc at the rear. With 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, the Apache RTR 160 2V gets a 90-section tyre at the front. The drum and disc variants are wrapped with a 110-section rear tyre and the top-spec disc BT variant comes with a wider 120-section rear tyre.

The drum and disc variants are wrapped with a 110-section tyre rear tyre and the top-spec disc BT variant comes with a wider 120-section rear tyre. The TVS Apache RTR 160 2V has a 790mm seat height, a 180mm ground clearance and a 12-litre fuel tank. The drum variant has a kerb weight of 137kg whereas the disc variant weighs 138kg.

Features

The new Bajaj Pulsar 150 has a negatively-lit digital instrument cluster similar to the Pulsar N150 and N160. It now gets Bluetooth connectivity with call accept/reject options, missed calls and message alerts. Along with basic information like speed, tachometer readings, fuel level, tripmeter and odometer, the bike also offers distance-to-empty (DTE) and instantaneous fuel efficiency (IFE) readings. The left side switchgear has also been refreshed, with the addition of a new button that helps in navigating through the console. It also has a USB charging port.

The TVS Apache RTR 160 2V is equipped with a full-LED headlight and eyebrow-shaped LED DRLs (daytime running lights) along with an LED tail lamp. It features a full LCD instrument cluster that displays a speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, odometer, tripmeters, clock, gear indicator, riding data and other tell tale lights. Apart from the basic info, the top Apache RTR 160 2V disc BT variant also offers smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth. It has call and SMS alerts with turn-by-turn navigation.

Verdict

The Bajaj Pulsar 150 has a starting price of Rs 1,13,696, whereas the prices of TVS Apache RTR 160 2V  start at Rs 1,20,420, with the top variant being priced at Rs 1,27,220 (all prices ex-showroom Delhi). While the Pulsar 150 offers a more relaxed and upright riding posture, the Apache RTR 160 2V has a sportier and slightly committed riding position. The TVS Apache also comes with more features including all-LED headlight and turn-by-turn navigation.

If you prioritise comfort you may want to go for the Pulsar, but if you want to get a sportier bike, then the TVS Apache RTR 160 2V is the one for you. That said, both Pulsar and Apache are iconic brands, known for entry-level sporty bikes in India, so buying one from these two depends on which one you relate to, and which one you believe suits your personality better.