Bajaj Pulsar 125: The Indian two-wheeler industry has recently got a massive boost as Bajaj Auto has made it easy for riders to access the high selling Pulsar series.
The Bajaj Pulsar 125, the smallest cc segment bike from the legendary Pulsar series, is marketed as the lowest priced sports bike in India that meets your budget with an added edge of sporty-looking motorcycle in your garage.
Table of Contents
Bajaj Pulsar 125 A heritage of Sporty Performance
Bajaj Pulsar 125 Ever since its debut in 2001, the Pulsar name has always been associated with performance oriented motorcycles in India.
A brave experiment in trying to recreate a sports bike for the masses has turned into the most mythic motorcycles in the country.
The Pulsar 125 is the company’s attempt to further bank upon this legacy by democratizing it its entry price point even more without diluting the typical Pulsar DNA.
Affordable Pricing Strategy
Affordability offered by the Bajaj Pulsar 125 has made it the most budget-friendly option for Indian consumers who want a stylish motorcycle.
Priced upward of INR 80,000 (ex-showroom), the bike still undercuts a lot of competition in the 125cc segment, giving the customers the visual appeal and brand value of the Pulsar nameplate.
This pricing strategy proved to be too aggressive for the competition, causing them to re-evaluate their stance in this community-driven segment.
Bajaj Pulsar 125 Design and Aesthetics
Bajaj Pulsar 125 Even though the price of the Pulsar 125 is lighter on the pocket, it continues to sport the muscular and sporty design theme that is synonymous with the Pulsar series.
Inspired by the Wolf eye, and sharp tank extensions of the FZ, the design is emblematic of a motorcycle that is always meant to on the move.
Sporty graphics and a split seat – those are features usually seen on more expensive motorcycles.
Given the styling details, the Pulsar 125 doesn’t end up looking shy like a reduced-cc version of its bigger brothers; rather it makes a bold statement as a Pulsar.
Engine and Performance
The Pulsar 125 comes with a 124.4cc air-cooled DTS-i (Digital Twin Spark) engine, which generates decent power and torque for its segment.
It’s not as fast as the bigger capacity models but is detuned enough to provide everyday riding in the City with excellent fuel economy, an important consideration knowing the people who’d want to ride this.
It all comes together to give you a machine that delivers a great riding experience, whether you’re a new or experienced rider, which is testament to the feeling of quality found only on a Honda.
Feature-Rich Package
It’s also got some Bajaj goodies thrown into the mix, which add a further bit of value to it. The bike gets a semi-digital instrument cluster, LED DRLs (Daytime Running Lights), USB charging port and CBS (Combined Braking System) as standard.
These details, which are usually seen in some of the higher priced bikes, enhance the allure of the motorcycle and offers a sense of utility to the typical rider.
Market Impact and Competition
The Pulsar 125 is the latest bike to shake up the 125cc space dominated by commuter bikes. Given the success of the bike, Bajaj has managed to carve out a new sub-segment that is more affordable and gripens to the pocket of young riders who wants style but are budget-strapped.
Rivals such as Honda, Hero and TVS have been forced to upgrade their offerings to combat the increasing market share of the Pulsar 125.
Target Audience
But the main target audience of the Pulsar 125, it seems, is the young college/junior school-goer who cannot afford a 150 cc motorcycle for obvious reasons (budgetary constraints) just yet, and also the urbanite pillion rider who’s had it enough with the run-of-the-mill commuter motorcycles.
Its stylish looks, well-known Pulsar brand and value pricing have all struck a chord with this group, and sales have been strong from the beginning.
Ownership Experience
Apart from the price at the time of purchase, the Pulsar 125 is also a competitive product to run with mileage figures ranging from 55-60 km/l.
Bajaj’s vast service network pan India helps keeping the maintenance costs at par with what servicing of the bike would cost to an average Indian citizen and that is in favour of the overall value-for-money proposition. That spare parts are easily accessible also adds peace of mind for owners.
Future Prospects
The response to the Pulsar 125 has prompted Bajaj to expand their presence in this segment even further.
Industry observers expect the company to bring two more derivatives with added features and styling differentiation to continue the competitive thrust.
The insights derived from the market response to Pulsar 125 are expected to shape Bajaj’s future product strategy across displacement segments.
Bajaj Pulsar 125 Conclusion
The Bajaj Pulsar 125 has democratised the experience of owning a sports bike in India and brought it to a whole new audience by pricing it right.
With the soul of the Pulsar intact and without going overboard on costs, this is a very appealing product that appeals to both the heart and head buyers.
So, even as the Indian motorcycling landscape keeps changing, the 125 Pulsar is an example of Bajaj knowing what the customer wants and of the firm’s ability to deliver without asking you to empty your bank account.
Yet the motorcycle’s triumph serves as a reminder of the influence of branding, even in blisteringly competitive categories with undifferentiated products at vastly different price points.
