Bajaj Pulsar 125 First Ride Review: Engine, Comfort, Handling & More

The Bajaj Pulsar 125 has been a familiar name in India's 125cc motorcycle segment. The 2026 model brings major changes to its engine and frame. I recently rode the new Pulsar 125 through Pune city and on the highway.

My ride started with regular city traffic and several speed breakers. Later, I took the motorcycle onto an open highway. This gave me a good chance to experience its low speed and high speed behaviour.

I rode the base version of this Bajaj Bike during this first ride. Here is what I experienced with its engine, comfort, handling, and features.

Bajaj Pulsar 125 Riding Review: First Impression

The motorcycle still carries the familiar Pulsar design. Its muscular fuel tank gives it a sporty appearance. The updated LED headlamp also makes the front look sharper.

During my Bajaj Pulsar 125 riding review, I noticed the bike was not heavy while moving around the city. This helped when changing direction through tighter spaces. However, shorter riders may not immediately prefer its lightweight feel.

My first impression changed further once I started riding through Pune traffic. The new engine and frame were noticeable from the beginning.

Pulsar 125 Engine Performance

The new Pulsar 125 uses a 124.58cc single cylinder engine. It produces 11.93 PS and 11.4 Nm of torque. A five speed gearbox sends power to the rear wheel. Low end torque is impressive during city riding. I did not need to rev the engine hard for normal acceleration.

Crawl Mode was another feature that surprised me during the ride. It allowed the motorcycle to move at very low speeds without using the accelerator.

In second gear, the bike moved at around 9 km/h without throttle input. Third gear allowed around 14 km/h in the same situation. Fourth gear continued at around 17 to 18 km/h. Fifth gear could maintain around 21 to 22 km/h without me opening the throttle.

This made slow traffic easier to manage. I could focus more on steering instead of constantly balancing the clutch and throttle.

The clutch itself is light and easy to operate. Gear changes also felt smooth throughout my ride. This is a major improvement from my experience with the older Pulsar 125. The earlier model sometimes had a slight gear change issue during riding. I did not experience that problem with the new motorcycle.

I also noticed that the improved power to weight ratio helps the motorcycle respond better. Acceleration feels more willing when traffic opens up. 

Bajaj Pulsar 125 Comfort and Suspension

Riding comfort was another strong part of my first ride. The upright riding position kept me comfortable through Pune's busy roads. Seat height remains unchanged at 795mm. I could comfortably manage the motorcycle without struggling at stops.

Speed breakers also did not create any major problem for me. The suspension handled them without making the motorcycle difficult to control.

The new frame works with telescopic front forks and a rear monoshock. This is a major mechanical change from the previous Pulsar 125.

Small road imperfections were handled without much disturbance. Larger bumps were noticeable, but the motorcycle remained easy to manage. I would need a longer ride to judge pillion comfort properly. My first ride mainly focused on the rider's experience.

Bajaj Pulsar 125 Highway Ride Experience

After riding through Pune city, I took the Pulsar 125 onto an open highway. This helped me understand how it behaves beyond city traffic. 

The motorcycle gets a clear digital instrument display. It showed important information clearly during my ride. I could check the speed and other riding information without spending much time looking away. This made the display easy to use during city riding. The motorcycle also has LED lighting for better visibility. A single horn is provided on the bike.

At 50 to 55 km/h, the motorcycle felt relaxed and easy to ride. It did not feel uncomfortable at this speed. I also rode at around 70 to 80 km/h on an open highway stretch. The engine remained composed during this part of my ride. Vibrations stayed under control at these speeds. I also did not notice unwanted mechanical sounds while cruising.

The lightweight nature can be felt more clearly on open roads. Shorter riders may need some time to get used to this feel. My first ride reached around 95 km/h on an open stretch. At this speed, the motorcycle still felt manageable.

I would need more highway kilometres to comment on its long distance refinement. Still, the initial highway experience was positive.

Bajaj Pulsar First Ride Review: Final Verdict

My Bajaj Pulsar first ride review showed that the new Pulsar 125 is not just a styling update. Bajaj has changed its engine and frame for this generation. 

The biggest differences became clear during slow city riding. Crawl Mode, light clutch action, and smooth gear changes made traffic easier to manage.

Low end torque also worked well during everyday riding. My observed fuel economy of around 55 kmpl adds another useful point to the experience.

Vibrations stayed controlled, while unwanted sounds were not noticeable during my ride. Braking performance also gave me confidence during city and highway riding.

A longer test would be needed to assess long distance comfort and final fuel economy. For now, my first ride shows a noticeable step forward over the older Pulsar 125.

Looking for a powerful Royal Enfield? Explore the Royal Enfield 650cc Bike Series in our detailed guide.