Team-BHP - Bajaj Pulsar F250 & N250 launched in India

The only point my friends are raising when I take this news to them - Bajaj took more than a decade to add another 25CC? Competition has moved far ahead. Take TVS as example - RR310 is leaps and bounds ahead in terms of technology, power.

In fact, after my friends raised this, I do feel it’s kind of a lazy approach as Bajaj was busy with KTM, Triumph takeover in the last decade which explains the fact of their NS, AS versions.

Guess Bajaj was way better between 2000-2010 where they kept revising and launching new products with slightly bigger engines.

But, aside the above facts, I like the new F & N 250 twins.

I differ from the views expressed about dilution of the brand.
IMO they built the new Pulsar for the audience that was buying the 220F while laying a platform for the future Pulsars.
Which meant retaining the signature traits like :
- analog tacho digital speedo which I anyday prefer over the Dominar's
- silhouette
- simple air/oil cooled engines

Cost cutting ? Yes, but probably the target buyer won't care.

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Originally Posted by neil.jericho (Post 5184127)

Bajaj is going to give us simple and effective Pulsars. For technology and features, we will have to go up the ladder to get the KTMs equivalents.

Ditto on the launch event, was interesting and encouraging.

Now I understand the disappointment for not being the leaders of the pack like they did in 2001 but this reflects the reality that Pulsar was a flagship then but not anymore, it's the Dominar now which IIRC the PowerDrift interview hinted at.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashis89 (Post 5184203)

- Bajaj seemed to have been forced to go with basics.
- Pulsars have always been flawed

- IMO its more intended than forced, keeping the Indian and overseas markets in mind and current realities.
With this they've created a clear distinction between the "simple" Pulsars and the KTM influenced Pulsars
What I am not sure is what lies in store for the NS/AS since they said that future Pulsars will be built on this platform.

- True, the Pulsar 180's engine started to sound gruff and the vibes discouraged revving it over 6500rpm while the RTR 180 started to come alive post 6000rpm. Pulsars always felt a bit disconnected but probably that was due to the steering damper or something like that which they kept mentioning back then.
I never liked the Pulsars but the F250 looks good.
Let's see how it rides.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gururajrv (Post 5185010)

Take TVS as example - RR310 is leaps and bounds ahead in terms of technology, power.

Bajaj also have the Dominar 400 :)
On board technology wise TVS has an edge but power is with the Dominar.

Don't go by the names, like Pulsar or Apache, they're dependent on each company's preferences for brand lineage.

As Mr. Bajaj admitted, the products are 3 years late and my feeling was the same. If this were 2018, we would have looked at this launch very differently.

We have to wait for road tests and test rides to figure out if the product feels dated.

In the price range, I feel they are well-positioned. The lack of tech, particularly navigation is an issue. They can make up for everything if the basic things are sorted, the engine, breaks, and suspension. Everything else can be lived with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mafia (Post 5185523)

As Mr. Bajaj admitted, the products are 3 years late and my feeling was the same. If this were 2018, we would have looked at this launch very differently.

From the company's POV, it might be 3 years late, but from a consumer's POV, it's 10 years too late.

If only Bajaj had made THIS bike instead of the NS200 a decade ago, the CBR250R would've had some stiff competition, and we'd likely have seen 250s rather than 200s from the likes of TVS and Hero too. Perhaps, the TVS-BMW partnership would've yielded a different bike too.

Anyway, this bike may be disappointingly low-spec, but it does have its merits in my eyes. Since the front suspension is 37mm, you can probably do an easy-peasy swap with the xpulse's suspension components onto the F250, get the top triple clamp off the N250, handlebar of your choice, and have yourself a nicer, more capable A250 than Bajaj will dare to make, if they ever even make one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drt_rdr (Post 5185584)

Perhaps. Anyway, Bajaj was releasing bikes with 30-40cc increments. After the 220, 250 would have been the next logical increment. I think they let in-house Pulsars take a backseat for too long after the KTM bikes launched.

The markets will decide how late Bajaj was in launching the product.

Bajaj Pulsar N250, F250 first ride review Link

Quote:

What you'll also immediately feel is that the engine is vastly more refined than the 220's,

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The gear ratios, in fact, are perfectly spaced and in tune with the characteristics of the engine.

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Bajaj has done a fantastic job with the new Pulsar 250. They offer a good price to performance ratio while improving upon every aspect of the Pulsar 220 that'll see the end of road at some point.

https://youtu.be/0j6DPIWZ1tc

https://youtu.be/BZK5ZE5DqJk

https://youtu.be/wGl_cVQDXrs

I liked the F250 with its matured looks. Feels quite balanced in looks. I’m eager to take a test ride to see how vastly it’s refined or improved over my 220Fi.

Slightly off-topic but a necessary one I feel:

As for the review, I really wish our Mods consider providing official review on 2 wheelers too! We’ve Crazy Driver who’d provided an immaculate review on the Interceptor 650. I wish the 2 wheelers (selected ones) get a official review selection. I do understand the 2 wheeler segment is plagued with launches almost everyone month or once in few weeks. May be if there’s a provision to review officially on selected performance oriented bikes or scooters, I’m sure the mass population would be benefitted :)

Bajaj Pulsar F250 & N250 deliveries commence

Bajaj Auto has commenced deliveries of the all-new F250 and N250 bikes. The first delivery of a Pulsar F250 was done in Pune on November 15 from Shourya Bajaj showroom at Chinchwad.

Bajaj Pulsar F250 & N250 launched in India-img_3.jpg

The 2021 Pulsar F250 and N250 bikes were launched in October this year. The F250 is priced at Rs. 1.40 lakh, while the N250 costs Rs. 1.38 lakh (ex-showroom).

Both bikes are powered by a 249cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine that makes 24 BHP and 21.5 Nm. It is mated to a 5-speed gearbox accompanied by a slip and assist clutch.

Bajaj Pulsar F250 & N250 launched in India-img_2.jpg

The bikes are based on a tubular frame and feature telescopic forks at the front and a mono-shock at the rear. The braking duties are handled by a 300 mm front disc and a 230 mm rear disc. A single-channel ABS comes as standard.

Link to Team-BHP News

The blue definitely reminds of the early blue 220f before they started mixing the paint scheme. Also keep wondering in Delhi/NCR I have not seen a single 250 till now. Same with likes of lets say Xpulse, SXR160, Aerox understandably might be new, but I see the same future. Are these not getting sold in Delhi/NCR.

Or is it with other advanced technology bikes in this segment, the simple 250 have fallen behind. I know preferences have changed with multiple options available, and unlimited disposable cash at hand. I have owned a simple carbureted 220f and have toured the length and breadth of the country with it. Never felt it being underpowered or lacking any requirements. It just trundled on irrespective of whatever you threw at it. Still repent selling it off and getting a RE TB UCE 350. The 250 twins have the same DNA and will be mighty dependable than most other options available.

If only my cervical would have permitted I would have jumped at the blue 250f:)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SidharthaN (Post 5268113)

Also keep wondering in Delhi/NCR I have not seen a single 250 till now. Same with likes of lets say Xpulse, SXR160, Aerox understandably might be new, but I see the same future. Are these not getting sold in Delhi/NCR.

SidharthaN, I am yet to see a single Pulsar 250 in Kerala. And this is despite the Pulsar brand being a strong favourite in the state. Fellow enthusiasts confirmed that it on sale over here but four months since deliveries have started, it looks like Bajaj's dramatic new direction for the Pulsar range has been an unmitigated disaster!

Maybe Bajaj should not have tried to be too smart and instead, should have stayed true to the rock solid DNA that the Pulsar brand stood for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil.jericho (Post 5270054)

Maybe Bajaj should not have tried to be too smart and instead, should have stayed true to the rock solid DNA that the Pulsar brand stood for.

Bajaj please read this comment and bring back 220f for sale again. 220f and f250 can co exist. I had gone to Bajaj showroom last week after almost a decade to know if 220f is on sale or any last piece available. As per dealer the last 220f in stock was sold in Nov 2021 itself. He agreed that 220f is a legend and still many enquiries are coming. But only F250 available for now.