At a Glance
Key differences that define each motorcycle
Bajaj Pulsar 150
- 149.50 cc Air-Cooled, 2-valve
- 14 PS @ 8500 rpm
- 47.5 km/l (Claimed)
- 15-litre tank
- 3 variants available
- Single Channel ABS (all variants)
Hero Xtreme 160R
- 163.2 cc Air-Cooled, 2-valve
- 14.79 bhp @ 8500 rpm
- 49.65 km/l (ARAI)
- 12-litre tank
- 1 variant available
- Lightest at 138.5 kg
Full Specification Comparison
Every number that matters — side by side
| Specification | Bajaj Pulsar 150 | Hero Xtreme 160R |
|---|---|---|
| Engine & Performance | ||
| Displacement | 149.50 cc | 163.2 cc |
| Cooling System | Air-Cooled | Air-Cooled |
| Max Power | 14 PS @ 8500 rpm | 14.79 bhp @ 8500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 13.4 Nm @ 6500 rpm | 14 Nm @ 6500 rpm |
| Valves per Cylinder | 2 | 2 |
| Bore × Stroke | 56 × 60.7 mm | 57.3 × 63.3 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 : 1 | 9.8 : 1 |
| Emission Standard | BS6 Phase 2 | BS6 / OBD2B |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual | 5-Speed Manual |
| Top Speed | ~115 km/h | 107 km/h |
| Riding Modes | No | No |
| Traction Control | No | No |
| Fuel & Range | ||
| Mileage (Claimed) | 47.5 km/l (Claimed) | 49.65 km/l (ARAI) |
| Fuel Tank | 15 litres | 12 litres |
| Reserve Capacity | 2.4 litres | 1.9 litres |
| Riding Range | ~700+ km | ~596 km |
| Brakes & Wheels | ||
| Braking System | Single Channel ABS | Single Channel ABS |
| Front Brake | Disc – 260/280 mm (variant) | Disc – 276 mm |
| Rear Brake | Drum / Disc (variant dependent) | Drum – 130 mm |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Tyre Size (F / R) | 80/100-17 / 100/90-17 | 100/80-17 / 130/70-17 |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
| Suspension & Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | Telescopic | Telescopic Fork |
| Rear Suspension | Twin Gas Shock | 7-Step Adjustable Monoshock |
| Chassis | Perimeter Frame | Tubular Diamond Frame |
| Rear Preload Adjuster | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Kerb Weight | 148–150 kg | 138.5 kg |
| Seat Height | 785 mm | 790 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 165 mm | 165 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1320–1345 mm | 1327 mm |
| Overall L × W × H | 2055 × 755 × 1060 mm | 2029 × 793 × 1052 mm |
| Features & Electronics | ||
| Instrument Console | Fully Digital LCD | Fully Digital LCD |
| Headlight | LED | LED |
| DRLs | No | Yes |
| Turn Signals | LED | LED |
| Hazard Warning Lights | No | Yes |
| Tachometer | No | Digital |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes (all variants) | No |
| Call & SMS Alerts | Yes | No |
| USB Charging Port | Yes | No |
| Distance to Empty | Yes | No |
| Gear Indicator | Yes | No |
| Spark Plugs | 2 Per Cylinder | 1 |
| Keyless Ignition | No | No |
| Side Stand Engine Cut-off | Yes | Yes |
| Price & Warranty | ||
| Starting Price (ex-showroom) | ₹1,10,120 | ₹1,05,667 |
| Top Variant Price | ₹1,16,916 | ₹1,05,667 (single variant) |
| Number of Variants | 3 | 1 |
| Standard Warranty | 5 Years / 75,000 km | 5 Years / 70,000 km |
★ Green highlights indicate the stronger value in each row. Prices are ex-showroom India averages and may vary by city.
Variant-wise Price Comparison
All variants laid out — find the right one for your budget
Pulsar 150 Variants
Xtreme 160R Variants
Pros & Cons
Honest strengths and weaknesses of each bike
Pros
- Larger 15-litre fuel tank for longer ~700 km range
- Twin Disc variant offers rear disc brake option
- Bluetooth, USB charging and call alerts on all variants
- 3 variants give more choice at different price points
- Superior 5-year / 75,000 km warranty coverage
- Higher top speed (~115 km/h vs 107 km/h)
- Gear indicator and distance-to-empty display
- Proven long-term reliability with established platform
- 2 spark plugs per cylinder for better combustion
Cons
- Heavier at 148–150 kg vs 138.5 kg
- Lower ARAI mileage (47.5 km/l vs 49.65 km/l)
- No DRLs or hazard warning lights
- No tachometer
- Narrower tyres reduce cornering confidence
- Smaller displacement engine (149.50 cc vs 163.2 cc)
- Higher starting price (₹1,10,120 vs ₹1,05,667)
Pros
- Significantly lighter at 138.5 kg — best-in-class agility
- Higher ARAI certified mileage at 49.65 km/l
- Larger 163.2 cc engine with more power (14.79 bhp)
- LED DRLs and hazard warning lights standard
- Digital tachometer on instrument cluster
- Wider tyres (130/70-17 rear) for better grip
- 7-step adjustable rear monoshock
- Lower starting price (₹1,05,667)
Cons
- Only a single variant — no choice of spec level
- No Bluetooth connectivity or smartphone integration
- No USB charging port
- Rear drum brake — no disc rear option available
- Smaller 12-litre tank limits riding range to ~596 km
- No gear indicator or distance-to-empty display
- Lower top speed (107 km/h)
- Slightly lower warranty km coverage (70,000 km)
Key Differences Explained
What really sets these two bikes apart
Engine & Performance
Both bikes use air-cooled, 2-valve, single-cylinder engines, but the Hero Xtreme 160R has a displacement advantage with 163.2 cc against the Pulsar 150's 149.50 cc. This translates to slightly more power — 14.79 bhp vs 14 PS — and more torque at 14 Nm vs 13.4 Nm. However, the Pulsar 150 uses twin spark plugs per cylinder which aids combustion efficiency and compensates somewhat for its smaller displacement.
Fuel Efficiency & Range
The Xtreme 160R edges ahead on efficiency with an ARAI figure of 49.65 km/l against the Pulsar 150's 47.5 km/l claimed figure. However, the Pulsar 150's significantly larger 15-litre tank versus the Xtreme 160R's 12-litre unit reverses the range advantage decisively — ~700 km vs ~596 km. For riders who rarely refuel, the Pulsar 150 is the clear winner in total riding range.
Weight & Handling
The Hero Xtreme 160R's 138.5 kg kerb weight is approximately 10 kg lighter than the Pulsar 150's 148–150 kg. This is a meaningful difference in daily city riding — lane filtering, U-turns, and low-speed manoeuvring are noticeably easier on the Xtreme 160R. The Pulsar 150's added weight, however, improves high-speed stability on highways with its perimeter frame lending extra rigidity.
Connectivity & Features
The Bajaj Pulsar 150 holds a clear advantage in everyday connected features. Bluetooth connectivity, call and SMS alerts, a USB charging port, gear indicator, and distance-to-empty display are all standard across all variants. The Hero Xtreme 160R offers none of these, lacking even Bluetooth. In return, the Xtreme 160R compensates with a tachometer, LED DRLs, and hazard warning lights that the Pulsar 150 omits.
Braking & Safety
Both bikes come with single-channel ABS as standard. The Pulsar 150's top Twin Disc UG variant offers a rear disc brake option at ₹1,16,916, giving it a safety edge for buyers willing to spend more. The Xtreme 160R offers a wider 276 mm front disc but no rear disc option at any price point. The Pulsar 150's rear disc variant is also the better choice for pillion-heavy riding.
Price & Value
The Hero Xtreme 160R starts ₹4,453 cheaper (₹1,05,667 vs ₹1,10,120) and is available only in that single configuration. The Pulsar 150's range extends to ₹1,16,916 for the Twin Disc UG. For a buyer who wants a simple, no-frills entry into the 150–160cc segment, the Xtreme 160R offers competitive value. For buyers who want variant choice, Bluetooth, and a rear disc option, the Pulsar 150 range justifies the premium.
Expert Verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
Buy the Pulsar 150 if…
- You want a larger 15-litre tank and longer riding range (~700 km)
- Bluetooth, USB charging and call alerts matter to you daily
- You want a rear disc brake option (Twin Disc UG variant)
- Variant choice at different budgets is important
- The superior 75,000 km warranty coverage is a priority
- You frequently ride on highways and value stability
- You want a gear indicator and distance-to-empty display
Buy the Xtreme 160R if…
- City agility is your top priority — ~10 kg lighter
- You want the better ARAI mileage figure (49.65 km/l)
- A lower entry price (₹1,05,667) fits your budget
- LED DRLs and a modern sporty look appeal to you
- A digital tachometer matters for your riding style
- You want wider rear tyres for better road grip
- Short city commutes are your primary use case
Overall Winner for Most Riders: Bajaj Pulsar 150. Despite costing more at entry level, the Pulsar 150 delivers significantly more practical value for the majority of Indian buyers — a much larger 15-litre fuel tank with ~700 km range, Bluetooth and USB charging standard across all variants, a rear disc brake option, gear indicator, and a superior 5-year / 75,000 km warranty. Choose the Hero Xtreme 160R if you're on a tight budget, primarily ride in the city, and prioritise a lighter motorcycle with better ARAI mileage over connected features and long-range capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered by our experts
The Bajaj Pulsar 150 is better for most buyers who want a larger 15-litre fuel tank, Bluetooth and USB charging on all variants, a rear disc brake option, and a superior 5-year / 75,000 km warranty. The Hero Xtreme 160R is better if you want a lighter motorcycle (138.5 kg), better ARAI mileage (49.65 km/l), a lower starting price (₹1,05,667), and a more agile city riding experience.
The Hero Xtreme 160R starts at ₹1,05,667 while the Bajaj Pulsar 150 starts at ₹1,10,120 ex-showroom — a base difference of ₹4,453 in favour of the Xtreme 160R. However, the Xtreme 160R is only available in one variant, while the Pulsar 150 range extends up to ₹1,16,916 for the Twin Disc UG variant. Both prices may vary by city.
The Hero Xtreme 160R has better ARAI certified mileage at 49.65 km/l compared to the Bajaj Pulsar 150's claimed 47.5 km/l. However, the Pulsar 150's larger 15-litre fuel tank (vs 12 litres) gives it a considerably longer riding range of ~700 km compared to the Xtreme 160R's ~596 km. If you want fewer fuel stops, choose the Pulsar 150.
The Hero Xtreme 160R produces more power at 14.79 bhp @ 8500 rpm compared to the Bajaj Pulsar 150's 14 PS @ 8500 rpm. The Xtreme 160R also produces more torque at 14 Nm vs 13.4 Nm. Its larger 163.2 cc engine contributes to the performance advantage, making it the better performer in this comparison.
The Hero Xtreme 160R is significantly lighter at 138.5 kg kerb weight compared to the Bajaj Pulsar 150 which weighs between 148–150 kg depending on the variant. The roughly 10 kg difference makes the Xtreme 160R noticeably more agile, easier to manoeuvre in city traffic, and more accessible for shorter or lighter riders.
Both bikes offer a 5-year warranty, but they differ in kilometre coverage: the Bajaj Pulsar 150 covers 75,000 km while the Hero Xtreme 160R covers 70,000 km. For riders clocking 15,000–20,000 km per year, the Pulsar 150's extra 5,000 km of warranty coverage provides additional peace of mind against out-of-warranty repair costs.