The Bajaj Pulsar has been an instant hit in the Indian market and has been the 
single major reason why the stereotyped image of a ‘scooter company’ that was associated with them has been changed completely to that of an automobile manufacturer.
The motorcycle scenario in India before the Pulsar series stormed the markets was mainly limited to the small capacity, fuel efficient motorbike category that belonged within the 80cc to 125cc class and except for the Royal Enfield’s 250cc ‘Bullet’ there were no higher capacity bikes.
In 1999 the Hero Honda launched the CBZ which was a runaway success and opened the floodgates for the performance bikes to grab a share of the market. Encouraged by this success, Bajaj Auto in association with Glynn Kerr, motorcycle designer launched the Pulsar series of motorcycles in November 2005 with the basic model at 135cc. It immediately followed that up with a 150cc bike.
The launch of the Bajaj Pulsar motorbikes and its success with the Indian youth led to a growing expectation among the younger generation of motorcycles with a higher capacity and power at an affordable cost. The project itself was fraught with resistance and reservations leading to doubts about the kind of effect it would have on its relations with its partner Kawasaki not to mention that it would cost Bajaj Auto around Rs. 1 billion and take roughly 36 months to be completed.
The DTS-i technology incorporated by Bajaj Auto is a first in the Indian motorcycle market and Bajaj has an Indian patent for it. It stands for Digital Twin Spark-ignition which is a technology that utilizes two spark plugs in place of the standard one plug however, not many of the motorbikes having smaller capacity engines did eventually use this technology in their machines.
Bajaj Pulsar (basic model) Specification
| Overview | |
| VariantModelStartingWheel TypeWheel BaseTyre Size | Pulsar 135LSElectric start with autochoke6 Spoke Alloys1325.00 mm2.75 x 17″, 100/90 x 17″ mm |
| Fuel Efficiency | |
| Fuel Tank CapacityFuel EconomyFuel ReserveFuel TypeCharging Duration | 8.00 ltrs68.1 km/l certified by ARAI2.50 ltrsPetrolN/A |
| Engine Specification | |
| Engine TypeIgnitionDisplacementStrokeCylinder BoreMaximum TorqueMaximum PowerCompression Ratio | 134.6cc.DTS-i (Digital Twin Spark-ignition)134.6cc0011.4 Nm @ 7500 rpm13.3 Bhp @ 9000 rpmN/A |
| Dimensions | |
| LengthHeightWidthClearanceSaddle HeightKerb WeightTotal WeightWeight Carrying CapacityChassis | 2035.00 mm1165.00 mm750.00 mm170.00 mm830.00 mm.135.00 kg.122.00 kg.N/ABox Type Diamong Type |
| Safety | |
| Suspension (front)Suspension (rear)Brakes (front)Brakes (Rear) | 130 mm Fork travel, TelescopicTrailing Arm240 mm Disc130 mm Drum |
| Drive Train | |
| Gear BoxClutch | 5 SpeedWet Multiplate Clutch |
Appearance
Overall, the Bajaj Pulsar 135LS DTS-i looks aggressive but has a light and sporty look and feel while at the same time providing a comfortable and convenient riding experience. The LS stands for Light Sport and the bike is an urban rider’s delight as far as maneuverability and agility in city riding conditions is concerned.
The headlight faring is of the bikini type and adds to its attractiveness whereas the positioning of the rear muffler and license plates gives it the appearance of a sport bike. The Bajaj Pulsar 135cc is available in three colors Plasma Blue, Midnight Black and Cocktail Wine Red
Launched in December, 2009 the Bajaj Pulsar 135 also happens to be the world’s first 4-valve digital twin spark plug bike and along with its neat sporty lines, coupled with an exceptional rev-up and acceleration from a still position, which makes it an appealing model for the young generation rider to own. According to the manufacturers, Bajaj Auto, the 4-valve petrol engine is expected to give off the best acceleration coupled with the highest speed among bikes in the 135cc motorcycle segment.
According to the industry, along with an expected fuel economy of around 68 kmpl and the other advanced technologies incorporated, the Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i is all set to replace the Bajaj 135cc XCD in the market and going by the initial feedback and reviews, it is touted to be an icon of great success and even create a whole new segment of lightweight yet powerful sports bikes.
Engine
The engine of the Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i is bursting at the seams with the 
newest and latest technologies and is one of the world’s first engines in vehicles of this segment to feature 4 valves that enable it to give an exceptional pickup and acceleration.
This 4-valve engine is designed to give a performance better than a regular 2-valve engine and is capable of generating a maximum power of 13.3 Bhp at 9000 rpm and a max torque of 11.4 Nm at 7500 rpm and coupled with the revolutionary Digital Twin Spark-ignition technology it can maximize the combustion of petrol to deliver super power and superior fuel economy and reduced emission of pollutants making it one of the most efficient of engines in this class of motorcycles.
The acknowledged superiority of the DTS-i 4-valved engine not only gives enhanced performance but also a good mileage even in city riding conditions and this is certified by the ARAI.
Acceleration
The Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i is capable of revving up to 60 Kmph from 0 Kmph in merely 5.8 sec. with a top speed of 106.8 Kmph and all this is due to the 134.66 cc power plant of an engine that is a 4-stroke, air cooled, 4-valved, single cylinder SOHC (Single Overhead Camshaft) petrol engine that is also loaded with twin spark plugs that come with the DTS-i technology that makes it so powerful.
With all the above features and the five speed gearbox with manual transmission, it produces 13.5 PS of maximum power at 9000 rpm rotation and 11.4 Nm of maximum torque at 7500 rpm giving it an excellent performance and acceleration.
The Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i also has an all-new 4-valve DTS-i engine which is what makes it possible for this machine to achieve more efficient fuel combustion which in turn results in enhanced acceleration power and engine performance.
Mileage
Bajaj Auto has fully leveraged its Digital Twin Spark-ignition (DTS-i) technology which it has patented in India, to provide optimum combustion of the charge which is the air-fuel mix that makes the Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i give the best results as far as engine performance and mileage are concerned.
The new 4-valve engine comes with 2 intake valves and 2 exhaust valves as against the single valve each in the regular 2-valve engines. This makes for a quicker and more efficient combustion technology that makes maximum use of the fuel charge and gives a greater fuel economy as well as engine performance.
With an eight litres capacity fuel tank and a 2.5 litres reserve tank of which 1.6 litres are usable, the Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i gives an excellent mileage of 68.1 Kmpl as certified by the ARAI. However, according to actual users, they are able to obtain around 48 Kmpl in city riding conditions and upto 59 Kmpl when riding on the highway.
Accordingly, this motorcycle has been certified to comfortably meet all the BSIII regulations for emission and pollutants, making it an altogether ‘Green’ motor vehicle which is the need for the day.
Colors
The first impressions often are the last in the minds of the customer and the looks of a vehicle are what holds the interest of the buyer to further investigate and evaluate the pros and cons of the vehicle before making a purchase.
If the looks and the visual impact are not appealing enough, even if the vehicle is a top class product, chances are, it will not even merit a second glance let alone a second chance from the prospective buyer.
In this respect, colors play a very important role and can make or break a customer’s mind towards a particular model. In the Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i great care has been taken to ensure that the vehicle is made available in the right colors and hence three shades that conform to give an impression of speed have been selected.
The Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i is thus available in three shades viz: Cocktail Wine Red, Plasma Blue and the all-time favorite and safe color Midnight Black. The rest of the graphics are also geared to go with the image of aggression, lightness and speed.
Brakes
Merely having power, acceleration and speed in your engine does not make a 
bike complete. The consumer will also look for safety and control of the machine while riding it and a good acceleration system must necessarily also have a good and efficient braking system to complement it.
Powerful brakes alone will not ensure the safety of the rider unless the motor bike also has great control while using the brakes.
The Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i is equipped with an advanced braking system that will make sure it works safely and efficiently but also with great control that it provides from its 5-speed gear box. This gear box and the 4-valve DTS-i technology enables the Bajaj Pulsar 135 to provide good pick-up even at low speeds so there is no need to constantly shift gears while riding.
The front wheel of the new Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i is fitted with the rather large Disc brakes having a diameter of 240 mm while the rear wheel comes fitted with the 130 mm diameter Drum brakes which makes braking safe enough in any weather conditions.
Suspension
The comfort of a motor bike when riding it comes from the smoothness of the journey and this in turn is constrained by the quality of the suspension system that the vehicle is fitted with. A good suspension system will have shock absorbers that take the rough out of the ride leaving you feeling fresh and energetic even after a long ride.
The Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i has a lot of advanced technology built-in to ensure you have a comfortable ride despite all the power, speed and aggression provided by the new 4-valve DTS-i engine.
The advanced suspension system of the Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i helps to reduce the jerks felt on bumpy roads and when riding over potholes and takes care of the stability and handling ease of the bike making for a very comfortable riding experience.
The front 130 mm Stroke, Telescopic Fork with Anti Friction bush suspension system on the front wheel and the Trailing Arm co-axial hydraulic cum gas filled shock absorbers on the rear wheel ensures greater riding comfort and stability.
Wheels and Tyres
The Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i has the finest of wheels and tyres to go with the 
sleek and sporty look of the bike. While the task of the wheels is to help in the locomotion of the vehicle, it must also ensure that the ride is safe and comfortable.
The wheels fitted on this bike are made of alloy and are mag wheels having a black matt finish with five spokes for stability and solidity. The tyre sizes for both the wheels are good enough to provide maximum support and balance to the bike. The front wheel tyre is 2.75 x 17 inch in size while the rear one is 100/90 x 17 inch in size.
The wheel base is what makes for stability and safety for the rider and the Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i has a wheel base of 1325 mm which is impressive in itself because while it is an established fact that a fine wheel base is more stable, a wider wheel base gives the rider more control.
Comfort
All in all, the Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i has evolved as a very comfortable bike to ride on even for the longer distances. The aggression, power and speed notwithstanding, riding the Bajaj Pulsar 135 cc is a comfortable experience.
You start the bike without unduly exerting yourself using the electric self starter with autochoke that makes for a failproof start even in cold weather conditions. The telescopic front suspension with its anti-friction bushes and the 5 step adjustable Nitrox rear suspensions make for a smooth ride even at higher speeds.
The broad tyres and wheel base of the Pulsar 135 cc give the bike a firmer road grip improving its stability and comfort for the rider. Besides this, there are many other little embellishments that add to the comfort experience such as DC Ignition, brighter lights for improved visibility in dim light situations and a battery charge indicator for easy monitoring of the battery’s status.
Variants
Until very recently, the Bajaj Pulsar series of motorcycles were available in only four variants having engine capacities of 135 cc, 150 cc, 180 cc and 220 cc along with a 200cc DTS-i variant that had an oil cooled engine but which has since been removed from the market.
However, today there are about nine different variants available in different engine capacities tabulated below for a ready reference:
- Pulsar 135 LS 134.6cc, DTS-i
- Pulsar 150 149cc, DTS-i
- Pulsar 180 178.6cc, DTS-i
- Pulsar 220 S 220cc, DTS-i
- Pulsar 220 F 220cc, DTS-i
- New Pulsar 200NS Triple Spark, SOHC, 4-valve
- Pulsar 250 Triple Spark, SOHC, 4-valve
- Pulsar 300 Triple Spark, SOHC, 4-valve
- Pulsar 350NS Triple Spark, SOHC, 4-valve
Prices
The on the road price of the Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i works out to around Rs.60,000/- in Mumbai and will vary from State to State depending on the Tax structure and any other levies or duties that may be imposed.
As far as the variants go, the prices for each are as shown below:
- Pulsar 135 LS Rs. 60,000
- Pulsar 150 Rs. 70,000
- Pulsar 180 Rs. 75,000
- Pulsar 220 S Rs. 81,000
- Pulsar 220 F Rs. 85,000
- New Pulsar 200NS Rs. 90,000
- Pulsar 250 Rs. 1,10,000
- Pulsar 300 Rs. 1,50,000
- Pulsar 350NS Rs. 1,80,000
Accessories
There is a limited set of accessories that come with the Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i and these include a separate Seat Cover and a Tank Cover made of synthetic rexine material. A Helmet Lock helps secure the riding helmet to the bike so there is no need to lug it around wherever you go.
A sturdy Engine Guard will protect the engine from scratches or damage in the event of an impact or accident. Extra Handle Grips are available to provide a firmer grip to the handle and a Ladies Handle with a Hook is also available for ladies to get a grip of the bike when riding pillion while the hook allows you to hang an extra shopping bag from the side.
Also available is a Side Box for storing your bags and shopping without hindrance to the rider or the pillion rider and the Rain Cover, needless to say will protect against rust and excessive moisture during the monsoons.
Conclusion
To conclude, it is safe to say that while the Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS-DTS-i has an aggressive pick-up with powerful acceleration, it has some sleek lines and an attractive color selection that goes in keeping with its image of a sporty bike that is yet light, sturdy and safe to ride.
While conceiving and developing the motor bike, the Bajaj engineers kept comfort and safety of both, the rider as well as the pillion uppermost in their minds and the final product has fully lived up to their expectations.
While the rider has all the conveniences at his disposal, the pillion rider too is comfortable on the step-up seat and foot rests with better grip while riding.
The positives for the bike are its lean and mean muscular looks, powerful new engine and superior suspension and safety, while the negatives are the absence of rear disc brakes and more colors.
Bajaj Pulsar LS-DTSi Pictures
BLUE
BLACK
RED
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