2017 Bajaj Pulsar 180 Launch Ride Review

Gallery What is it?How does it look?What about the performance?Is it feature loaded?How does it ride?Where does it fit in?

What is it?

The 2017 Pulsar 180 is nothing but Bajaj’s attempt to meet the upcoming emission norms and to keep the bike relevant and stylish for the next year or two. So the 178cc engine is now BS-IV compliant and the power and torque figures continue to be 17bhp and 14.2Nm.

How does it look?

The marketing team at Bajaj has always been good in creating new marketing terms. This time, it is the ‘Laser Edged Collection’. There’s nothing truly edgy or laser about the 2017 version; all it gets is new paint schemes, new decals and the aspiration to take on the Honda CB Hornet 160R. Everything else is the same –alloys, mudguards, switchgear and the overall design language. In short, Bajaj is not fixing what isn’t broke. The Pulsar 180 continues to get decent demand from the Indian buyers. In fact, the dealers have to make little effort to sell this motorcycle. So there’s always a constant demand from the dealers and the customers that helps Bajaj hold its share in the 180cc segment.

What about the performance?

Like we’ve mentioned above, the 178cc motor meets the BS-IV emission norms. It produces 17bhp at 8500rpm and peak torque of 14.2Nm at 6500rpm. Gearbox is the same five-speed unit. There has been no change in the gearing or the clutch operation. Bajaj constantly improve their products and it’s the same with the Pulsar 180. The engine feels slightly refined, and the vibes have decreased.

Is it feature loaded?

Not really. The 2017 edition now gets automatic headlamp on (AHO) that keeps the headlight on all the time. The instrument cluster is part analog, part digital. The graphics inside the cluster have been revised. Also, the plastics around the instrument cluster gets carbon fibre accents to give the bike a premium feel. The bike sports tubeless tyres that offers good grip. The Pune-based manufacturer has also finally equipped the 2017 Pulsar 180 with a rear disc brake.

How does it ride?

We didn’t get a lot of time with the 2017 Pulsar but its only mechanical change – the rear disc brake – is disappointing. It doesn’t have enough power and bite, and neither is there any feedback on the lever too. A rear drum brake with better feel and progression would have served the purpose equally well, or maybe better.

Where does it fit in?

The 2017 Bajaj Pulsar 180 is priced at Rs 79,545 which makes it Rs 2110 cheaper than the Honda CB Hornet 160R. The latter is modern, has the looks to attract attention and gets a combi-braking system (CBS) as an option too. Its other rival, the TVS Apache RTR 180 is cheaper at Rs 77,094 (ex-showroom Delhi).