Bajaj Pulsar twins – 150 & 180, were the two motorcycles that have been attributed in bringing performance motorcycling at affordable prices in India. More than a decade later, Pulsar 150 still remains the largest selling 150cc motorcycle in the country.
However, frankly speaking the game has moved on…The current Pulsar 150 looks a little dated against the competition. And hence, you very well know that Bajaj is preparing their next-generation Pulsar 150NS which will share a lot of traits of the best Pulsar yet – the 200NS!
However, according to what we have learnt, Bajaj will NOT discontinue the current Pulsar 150 and instead, the new Pulsar 150NS should be looked at as an all-new bike in addition and a consolidation in the premium 150-160cc biking space. Simply put, the P150 Naked Sport will be taking over the helm of fighting in the premium 150cc segment whereas the present Pulsar 150 will continue to be sold as before in the conventional 150cc segment.
This is exactly how it is going with the Pulsar 220 and Pulsar 200NS duo. After the launch of Pulsar 200NS, it was expected that Bajaj will discontinue the older 220, because of the very fact that 200NS was a whole generation ahead of Pulsar 220 and is a whole lot better technically than the 220!
However, it is interesting to note that, despite all the ‘facts‘, Pulsar 220 outsells the naked Pulsar 200NS in monthly figures consistently. And this is, what we believe, is the sole reason why Bajaj wants to continue the older 150 as well. Strategically also, it will give Bajaj two products to play in this volume segment and hence, better chances of slugging it out against the growing competition.
Major competition like Yamaha already has as many as 4 variants in this segment – the carb FZ16 and FZ-S and their fuel injected twins. Then they also have the SZ series and the Fazer twins. Honda also plays the game with Unicorn, CB Trigger and the upcoming 160cc.
Hopefully Bajaj will manage to pull another surprise with the P150NS and will be able to again shake up the market like it did when the company first came out with the Pulsar brand back in 2001 AD.
Related: XCLUSIVE: Pulsar 200SS Power Figures Revealed; Price & More Dope Inside
