Once a performance benchmark in the compact displacement sportsbike segment, the Bajaj Pulsar 180 has been relegated to the sidelines by the arrival of several reasonably priced 200-300 cc motorcycles in the country. Bajaj, however, is not done with the Pulsar 180 and has given it what looks like one last shot in the arm.
The Bajaj Pulsar 180F with 220 like semi-fairing is priced at INR 86,500 (ex-showroom) which is just INR 1,500 dearer than the regular bikini-faired variant. The 180F looks identical to the more powerful 220F but the new dark grey matte paint job with orange accents serve as differentiators.
Interestingly, Bajaj doesn’t seem to have introduced ABS at this point, or at least the image that has surfaced online shows ordinary front and rear disc brakes. With the April deadline just around the corner, we are sure the company will introduce the mandatory safety system if it wishes to continue selling the Pulsar 180F.
Considering that the Bajaj Pulsar 220F is priced at INR 98,700 (ex-showroom), the 180F sits comfortably below the old flagship. The introduction of the semi-faired variant this late into the 180’s life cycle (in fact, the model is inching towards its end) suggests that it could be an attempt to deplete the inventory of 180 kits before restructuring the entire Pulsar range.
Mechanically, the new Bajaj Pulsar 180F is identical to its semi-faired sibling. The motorcycle is powered by a 178.6 cc air-cooled engine which is employs a 5-speed gearbox. Power and torque figures stand at 17.02 PS and 14.22 Nm respectively. Other hardware highlights include 260 mm front and 230 mm rear disc brakes, 90/90-17 front and 120/80-17 rear tubeless tyres, and twin projector headlamps.
The Bajaj Pulsar 180F will be competing with the likes of Suzuki Gixxer and the newly updated Yamaha FZ V3. The higher engine displacement gives the motorcycle a good value for money quotient.
