Bajaj Pulsar F250: Same Price, Other Options

Don’t find the new Pulsar F250 up to your taste? Well, you’re spoilt for choice, really

Bajaj opened up a new chapter in the quarter-litre segment with the launch of the Bajaj Pulsar F250 and Pulsar N250. The former is priced at Rs 1,40,000, whereas the latter is pegged at Rs 1,38,000. If you find the semi-faired Pulsar F250 underwhelming for what it offers and are looking for other alternatives in the same price bracket, worry not. We got you covered:

Bajaj Pulsar NS200 (Price: Rs 1,33,210)

The most obvious alternative is right there in the company's own lineup, the Pulsar NS200. It may look dated, but its liquid-cooled 199.5cc single-cylinder engine (mated to a 6-speed transmission) should make touring on the highway a breeze. The motor churns out 24.5PS, the same as the Pulsar F250. But at 18.5Nm, the peak torque is 3Nm behind the semi-faired quarter-litre bike. 

Tipping the scales at 156kg (kerb), the Pulsar NS200 is a whole eight kilos less than the Pulsar F250. All in all, at Rs 1,33,210, the Pulsar NS200 is an excellent choice if you're looking for a performance-packed naked.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350 (Price: Rs 1.38 lakh)

Royal Enfield Bullet 350, the Chennai-based bike maker's most affordable motorcycle, is priced at around Rs 1.38 lakh. Royal Enfield doesn't simply sell a bike; it sells the idea of a certain motorcycling lifestyle, and the Bullet 350 is your ticket to that. 

Sure, it may not be as performance-packed as the Pulsar F250 (despite having a larger engine), but the Bullet 350 is more about riding, or rather cruising at a leisurely pace with the motor thumping away to glory. You'll also get to take part and enjoy dealer-organized breakfast jaunts and official long-distance company-curated rides all over the country. 

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V (Price: Rs 1,38,115)

The TVS Apache RTR 200 4V may have a smaller engine, but the motorcycle is packed to the brim with technology. It comes with three riding modes: Sport, Urban, and Rain. The engine's output figures, throttle response, and ABS are all optimised for individual modes. In the Sport mode, the bike makes 20.82PS and 17.25Nm, whereas the output figures go down to 17.32PS and 16.51Nm with Rain and Urban modes. 

The bike also comes with smartphone connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation, dual-channel ABS, adjustable brake, and clutch levers - all of which aren't present in the Pulsar F250. If you're looking for a feature-packed naked that can handle everyday commutes and the occasional highway rides, then the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V -- at Rs 1,38,115 -- is the one for you.

Honda CB200X (Price: Rs 1,44,500)

The Honda CB200X is built on the Hornet 2.0's platform and compared to the naked, it comes with more upright ergonomics, beefier bodywork, and more rugged tyres. Honda has priced the motorcycle at Rs 1,44,500, which is slightly steep, considering it's still a 200cc motorcycle at the end of the day.

• Honda To Start Testing Battery For Its Upcoming Electric Scooter
• EXCLUSIVE: Yamaha R15S Launch Soon
• Bajaj Pulsar F250 vs Pulsar 220F: Differences Explained

While the riding posture is perfect for touring, the bike rolls on the same 17-inch alloy wheels as the Hornet. It may be wrapped with rugged tyres, but the motorcycle is best suited for highway touring and riding on light trails, unlike a proper off-road-centric ADV. 

Ather 450X (Price: Rs 1,32,426)

The Ather 450X is by far the most performance and feature-packed electric scooter that you can get right now (no, the Ola S1 doesn't count because its deliveries haven't started yet). It costs Rs 1,32,426 (on-road, Delhi), including FAME II incentive and state subsidy. The Ather 450X is powered by a 6kW permanent magnet motor that catapults the scooter from 0-40kmph in 3.3 seconds. The top speed is limited to 80kmph, and there are four riding modes -- Eco, Ride, Sports, and Warp -- in addition to a reverse mode to take the scooter out of tight parking spaces. It offers a claimed real-world range of 85km in 'Eco', but in our tests, we managed to achieve 91.4km in the same mode. You can read more details about it here.

Plus, you also get a proper touchscreen instrument cluster with a full-fledged navigation system, Over The Air Updates, and a generous 22-litre underseat storage space. If you're looking for a green vehicle for your everyday commute, the Ather 450X is the best bet.

All prices (except for the Ather 450X) are ex-showroom Delhi.