Bajaj Pulsar 180

Bajaj Pulsar 180 is one of the greats the company has ever produced. It is a sportier version of the Pulsar 150 that packs an added punch and a dash of style. Having been around for almost two decades, the Pulsar 180 makes an ideal choice for buyers looking for a premium commuter. There hasn’t been much change done to this model ever since. It makes sense to do nothing when things fall into place in a desirable fashion. However, what’s notable is the inclusion of a new Black Pack edition that makes it look even more appealing, courtesy of a new black paint job, white alloys and satin chrome exhaust muffler.With a kerb weight of just 145 Kg, which is also just 1 Kg more than the Pulsar 150, it is one of the easiest manoeuvrable bikes in the Indian market. What’s disappointing is that it does not come with ABS, not even as an option. The Bajaj Pulsar 180 is priced at INR 84,115 (Ex-showroom, Delhi) and rivals the TVS Apache RTR 180 in India.

The Bajaj Pulsar 180 is a sporty commuter with the true spirit of a naked street bike. Up front, it features twin-pilot wolf-eyed headlamp with AHO that ensures the vision is clear at all times. Adding to the visual flair are its big 15-litre fuel tank, aerodynamic fairing, new body graphics, Pulsar insignia on the fuel tank, engine finished in gunmetal colour and new carbon fibre accents. Additionally, the alloys get colour-coded decals, the seats are well-contoured, the tyres are bigger and grippier and the rear seat comes with a convenience of a split grab rail. The clip-on handlebar is pleasant to hold and manage while the seats get covered in a premium material for utmost comfort. Talking about the features, there is a full-digital instrument console, pass switch, engine kill switch and an electric start option. The bike is ergonomically designed, with adequate handlebar, foot pegs and seat placements that make up for an amiable riding experience. The all-new Black Pack edition gets the bike painted in black with matte grey accents, white alloys and exhaust muffler finished in satin chrome. There are four colour options to choose from, including Laser Black, Chrome Black, Nuclear Blue and Dyno Red. The Bajaj Pulsar comes with a ground clearance of 165mm while it boasts a wheelbase of 1345mm. Dimensionally it measures 2,035 mm in length, 765 mm in width and 1,115 mm in height.

Powering the Bajaj Pulsar 180 is the BS-IV compliant, air-cooled, 4-stroke, Digital Twin Spark ignition (DTS-i) 178.6cc engine that pumps out 17.02PS of maximum power at 8,500rpm and 14.22Nm of peak torque at 6,500rpm. Mated to a 5-speed transmission, the Pulsar 180 can hit the top speed of 122 Kmph and travel from 0-60 Kmph in just 5.2 seconds. Some significant refinements have been done to its engine department. As a result, power delivery is a lot smoother and throttle response is better than before. Despite performance-focussed alterations, fuel economy remains healthy at 45 Kmpl. The kerb weight of just 145 Kg plays a part in its improved performance as well.

The Pulsar 180 comes equipped with a potent suspension assembly comprising of telescopic forks with anti-friction bush at the front and 5-way adjustable Nitrox shock absorbers at the rear. With such a setup at work, handling becomes easy and fun. While the road barriers are bypassed with ease, manoeuvrability becomes plain sailing through the course of the ride. The braking on the model is taken care of by the discs at both the ends, a 260mm disc at the front and a 230mm disc at the rear. The 17-inch alloys are wrapped with the rubber of sizes 90/90-17 and 120/80-17 at the front and rear respectively. 

There is not much to talk about in this section as the bike misses out on the most essential feature of today’s modern era, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). However, providing the sense of satisfaction are the two reliable disc brakes (at the front and rear) and grippier tyres that grant confidence to the rider while the bike is being pushed around the corners. The Auto Headlamp On (AHO) feature ensures that the visibility does not get hampered, which certainly adds to the safety.