As Bajaj celebrates 25 years of the Pulsar with a lineup-wide update, are these the upgrades customers want for the N250 in its new SS variant?
Story: Salman Bargir
Photography: Chirayu Gijare
One might mistake the Bajaj Pulsar N250SS for the N250 or even the new Pulsar N160SS. However, subtle differences set them apart, and also, this update is less about form and more about function.
Start the bike, and the bassy exhaust note is the first thing that impresses. You do notice the new bits, like the five-inch TFT display with Google Maps mirroring and smartphone connectivity, a USB Type-C port, adjustable levers, revised switchgear and a hazard light switch. For added safety, the N250SS also gets Panic Brake Alert, which makes the turn indicators flash rapidly under hard braking, serving as a pre-emptive warning to other road users.
However, I was more curious to experience the mechanical changes. The engine now gets a new four-valve head, delivering slightly more power and torque, alongside an improved chassis and ride-by-wire throttle. More importantly, it gets a new six-speed gearbox with a bi-directional quickshifter and revised sprocket gearing, with the rear sprocket retaining 44 teeth while the front sprocket drops from 15 to 14 teeth.
There are multiple ride modes to choose from, with Sport pre-selected when I started riding. From the get-go, the N250SS feels quick, with a refined engine that delivers strong, linear acceleration throughout the rev range. It picks up speed effortlessly in all gears, with the new six-speed transmission adding to the experience. Both upshifts and downshifts are smooth, with the gears slotting in neatly. The clutch lever is light to operate, and the addition of an adjustable lever is a welcome touch. Occasionally, I also found myself shifting gears without using the clutch, and the bi-directional quickshifter handled the task well.
The suspension is one of the N250SS’s highlights. It soaks up bumps and potholes reasonably well while keeping the bike planted at highway speeds. Inspiring a fair amount of confidence around corners, it also allows you to have some fun. The tyres, with the rear now featuring a radial-ply construction, offer reassuring grip on tarmac, gravel, mud and wet surfaces. The brakes are another strong point, delivering ample stopping power. The front petal disc offers sharp initial bite with a progressive feel, while the rear brake is equally predictable and progressive.
ABS, Traction Control and acceleration characteristics change as per the riding mode chosen. Sport being the strongest felt slightly jerky. Off-road feels strong but smoother and Road is less responsive but sufficient while Rain being relatively less responsive and ABS kicking in earlier, feels appropriate for riding on wet surfaces. Crawl, the feature that enables the bike to be ridden without accelerating by keeping the clutch engaged, can be useful in slow moving traffic.
The N250SS is reasonably easy to ride in both city traffic and on the highway, where it cruises comfortably at around 80km/h in sixth gear. The riding triangle is sporty yet comfortable, making it suitable for everyday commutes as well as longer rides. Overall, the Bajaj Pulsar N250SS strikes a good balance, just as Bajaj intended. It is neither entirely performance-oriented nor overly focused on practicality. My only grouse is the seat cushioning, which feels slightly too soft. By the end of my ride, I experienced some discomfort. However, considering everything the N250SS offers, this is hardly a deal-breaker.
With demand for 250-cc motorcycles gaining momentum in India, the Bajaj Pulsar N250SS, priced at Rs 1.60 lakh ex-showroom, ticks several boxes that buyers look for in a quarter-litre streetfighter and looks poised to take on the competition.
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