The 150-160cc segment in India currently has a long list of names, and the Pulsar P150 also recently made it into the segment. We rode it for a brief period and here’s our first ride review of the bike. The P150 is priced aggressively and close to the TVS Apache RTR 160 2V. So, we’ve put the two bikes on paper, and here’s the result.
Design
The Bajaj Pulsar P150 follows a modern design language. Its LED projector headlight with LED DRLs makes for a fairly sharp fascia. Even the tank shrouds, the side panels, the alloy design, and the split seat setup give the P150 a youthful touch. The Apache RTR 160 2V too gets LED illumination and youthful bodywork. The proportions are even and the overall appearance is very muscular. However, the design has been unchanged for a long time now.
Engine
Powering the P150 is a 149.68cc, single-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed gearbox. It dishes out 14.5bhp and 13.5Nm. The Pulsar’s power delivery is fairly linear with the torque spread throughout the rev range. Meanwhile, TVS has powered the Apache 159cc single-cylinder motor that’s also mated to a five-speed gearbox. It belts out 16.04bhp and 13.85Nm. The TVS engine is quite smooth and potent as well.
Features
Bajaj has equipped the Pulsar P150 with LED illumination, a semi-digital instrument console, USB charging slot and ABS. Apart from the said features, the P150 is quite bare-bones in the tech department. TVS offers the Apache RTR 160 2V with ride modes (sport, urban and rain), LED illumination, ABS, and SmartXonnect for phone connectivity with its LCD. The latter gives you turn-by-turn navigation, and more data.
Hardware
Both bikes ride on telescopic front forks but the P150 gets a monoshock and the Apache features a pair of gas charged springs at the rear. The braking hardware for the Bajaj offering comprises a single 260mm front disc and a 230mm rear disc while the Apache gets 270mm front disc and 200mm rear disc. Both get single-channel ABS only. Even the 17-inch alloys on the two motorcycles are wrapped in similar sized tyres – 90/90 front and 110/80 rear.
Price
Asking price for the Bajaj Pulsar P150 is set to Rs 1.19 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the twin disc model. And the TVS Apache RTR 160 2V costs Rs 1,24,590 (ex-showroom Delhi) for the top spec, twin disc with Bluetooth variant.
