Hero Xtreme 125R vs Bajaj Pulsar 125: Spec Comparison

Is the new Hero Xtreme 125R’s near one-lakh ex-showroom price worth it compared to the Bajaj Pulsar 125?

Making daily commutes more fun and engaging, sporty commuter motorcycles have become the latest rage. No wonder then more and more two-wheeler brands are focusing on 125 cc bikes. And for the right reason as 125 cc motorcycles offers riders a great balance of performance and fuel efficiency. Coupled with the fact, prices of 150 cc motorcycles have increased a lot, 125 cc motorcycles offer you great alternative value proposition.

The latest addition is the Hero Xtreme 125R. Is this new 125cc sporty commuuter a good VFM option? Or will the Bajaj Pulsar 125 suffice adequately?

Engine

Both motorcycles deliver  almost the same performance figures from their respective engines. However, the Xtreme 125R should be more refined with its power and torque delivery given it’s a brand-new mill. Whereas, the DTS-i engine in the Pulsar 125 has been in production for over a decade now. While both are tuned to have strong low and mid-range, our money will be on the Hero Xtreme 125R for its refinement. 

Suspension And Brakes

The Hero Xtreme 125R debuts several first-in-segment components. From Showa-sourced 37mm (diameter) telescopic fork to its large 276mm disc brake (available with the ABS variant). It’s also one of the few bikes in the 125 cc segment to feature a monoshock. The wider 120/80-section rear tyre should further help its case with more grip around corners. 

The Bajaj Pulsar 125, in comparison, feels dated with its conventional suspension and brake setup. It also misses out on ABS and makes do with CBS (Combi Brake System) only.

Dimension

The Bajaj Pulsar with its iconic big fuel tank design will benefit from slightly more range. But, the lower seat height coupled with heavier kerb weight eats into its ground clearance. The extra weight also make it lazier to ride in city.

The Hero Xtreme 125R is smaller in comparison and it also weighs lighter. Despite the similar seat height, the Xtreme 125R stands higher from the ground. These dimensional qualities should come in real handy when riding on our diverse pothole-ridden roads. Additionally, the fuel tank size might come across as compromised, but Hero claims that at 66 kmpl the Xtreme 125R is the most fuel-efficient bike in its segment.

Feature

The Hero Xtreme 125R is available with all the bells and whistles that define a modern motorcycle. Along with full LED lighting it is also available with a fully digital instrument cluster that gets Bluetooth connectivity (available with the top-spec variant only) for call and message alert. The Pulsar 125 still equips the semi-digital instrument cluster that the brand debuted over a decade ago (again), without any connectivity features on offer. 

Variants And Price

Both the Hero Xtreme 125R and Bajaj Pulsar 125 are available in two variants. The Xtreme 125R variants are distinguished based on the brake equipment they have on offer. The base-spec IBS variant (basically CBS braking system) is priced at ₹95,000, and the top-spec ABS variant is priced at ₹99,500. 

The Pulsar 125 variants are divided based on the seat type they have on offer. The base-spec Neo Single seat variant is priced at ₹80,416, and the top-spec Carbon Fibre variant is priced at ₹89,984. 

Between the two 125cc sporty commuter motorcycles, the Hero is the more relevant option. The Bajaj Pulsar simply feels obsolete in this regard, and aside from an affordable ex-showroom price, there’s no novel factor here. So, for that extra moolah, the Hero Xtreme 125R would be a sensible choice and worth it.