The 125cc motorcycle segment is slowly gaining demand in the Indian market. Sportier motorcycles are being added to the new segment one of which is the Pulsar 125NS. The motorcycle is the latest edition in the NS series expanding the brand naked sports portfolio. The Bajaj Pulsar 125NS is the entry-level model in the brand’s portfolio. Similarly, the entry-level motorcycle in the KTM portfolio is the 1250 Duke. While Bajaj has been developing its own engines based on the KTM Duke engine technology things are different this time. In this technical comparison, we put the Bajaj Pulsar 125NS against the KTM 125 Duke.
The Bajaj Pulsar 125NS comes with a 125cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine. The 2-valve DTS-i engine produces 12 PS of power and 11 Nm of torque. The engine also comes with a 5-speed gearbox and Bajaj boasts that the engine will come with the same ‘Pulsar Rush’ from the other Pulsar NS series motorcycles. The KTM 125 Duke features a 125cc single-cylinder engine with liquid cooling. The 4-valve DOHC engine produces 14.5 PS of power and 12 Nm of torque. The engine comes with a 6-speed gearbox.
The Bajaj Pulsar 125NS comes with a perimeter frame for stiffness. The frame rides on a right-side-up telescopic suspension on the front and Nitrox monoshock absorbers on the rear. The Pulsar NS125 also gets a 240mm disc on the front and a 130mm drum on the rear. Bajaj does not offer a disc brake option on the rear wheel. The KTM 125 Duke comes with a steel trellis frame and a higher specification WP suspension. This includes a 43mm upside-down forks suspension with triple rated springs on the front. The rear also comes with a WP 10-step adjustable monoshock with double rated springs. The motorcycle also offers higher specification braking components which include a 300mm disc with the radially mounted calliper on the front and a 230mm single disc with a single-piston calliper on the rear.
The Bajaj Pulsar 125NS comes with a wolf-eyed pilot lamp and an aerodynamic multifaceted reflector headlamp cluster. The motorcycle also comes with sleek tank shrouds, a sporty split grab rail, a belly pan and multispoke 17-inch alloy wheels. The KTM 125 Duke comes with a fully digital instruments console, a new multi-reflector halogen headlamp, LED daytime running lights, LED indicators and taillamps. The 125 Duke also comes with multispoke alloy wheels.
The Bajaj Pulsar 125NS comes with a price tag of INR 93,690 ex-showroom. The KTM 125 Duke is priced at INR 1,59,488 ex-showroom.
Also Read: 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 650 Vs. Honda CBR650R – Specification Comparison