At a Glance
Key differences that define each motorcycle
Bajaj Pulsar 220F
- 220.4 cc Oil-Cooled, 2-valve
- 20.4 PS @ 8500 rpm
- ~40 km/l (Claimed)
- 15-litre tank
- 1 variant available
- Single-channel ABS
Bajaj Dominar 250
- 248.77 cc Liquid-Cooled, 4-valve
- 27 PS @ 8500 rpm
- 35 km/l (ARAI)
- 13-litre tank
- 1 variant available
- 4 Riding Modes + Dual-Ch ABS
Full Specification Comparison
Every number that matters — side by side
| Specification | Bajaj Pulsar 220F | Bajaj Dominar 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine & Performance | ||
| Displacement | 220.4 cc | 248.77 cc |
| Cooling System | Oil-Cooled | Liquid-Cooled |
| Max Power | 20.4 PS @ 8500 rpm | 27 PS @ 8500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 18.55 Nm @ 7000 rpm | 23.5 Nm @ 6500 rpm |
| Valves per Cylinder | 2 | 4 |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 | 11.9:1 |
| Bore × Stroke | 67 × 62.4 mm | 72 × 61.1 mm |
| Emission Standard | BS6 | BS6 Phase 2B |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual | 6-Speed Manual |
| Clutch | Wet Multi-Plate | Assist & Slipper Clutch |
| Top Speed | ~135 km/h | ~132 km/h |
| Riding Modes | No | Road, Rain, Sport, Off-Road |
| Traction Control | No | Yes |
| Fuel & Range | ||
| Mileage (Claimed / ARAI) | ~40 km/l (Claimed) | 35 km/l (ARAI) |
| Real-world Mileage | ~35–38 km/l | ~30–32 km/l |
| Fuel Tank | 15 litres | 13 litres |
| Reserve Capacity | 3.2 litres | 2.6 litres |
| Riding Range | ~600 km | ~416 km |
| Brakes & Wheels | ||
| Braking System | Single Channel ABS | Dual Channel ABS |
| Front Brake | Disc – 280 mm | Disc – 300 mm |
| Rear Brake | Disc – 230 mm | Disc – 230 mm |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Tyre Size (F / R) | 90/90-17 / 120/80-17 | 100/80-17 / 130/70-17 |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
| Suspension & Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Fork | 37 mm USD Fork (135 mm travel) |
| Rear Suspension | Nitrox Twin Shock Absorber | Multi-step Adj. Monoshock with Nitrox |
| Chassis | Double Cradle Frame | Beam Type Perimeter Frame |
| Rear Preload Adjuster | Yes | Yes (Multi-step) |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Kerb Weight | 160 kg | 180 kg |
| Seat Height | 795 mm | 800 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 165 mm | 157 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1350 mm | 1453 mm |
| Overall L × W × H | 2035 × 750 × 1165 mm | 2156 × 836 × 1112 mm |
| Features & Electronics | ||
| Instrument Console | Semi-Digital | LCD Display (Digital) |
| Headlight | Halogen Projector | LED |
| DRLs | No | Yes |
| Turn Signals | Halogen Bulb | LED |
| Hazard Warning Lights | No | No |
| Riding Modes | No | Road / Rain / Sport / Off-Road |
| Traction Control | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | No | Yes |
| Call & SMS Alerts | No | Yes |
| USB Charging Port | No | Yes (Front) |
| Gear Indicator | No | Yes |
| Tachometer | Analogue | Digital |
| Service Reminder | No | Yes |
| Keyless Ignition | No | No |
| Assist & Slipper Clutch | No | Yes |
| Price & Warranty | ||
| Starting Price (ex-showroom) | ₹1,29,924 | ₹1,78,273 |
| Number of Variants | 1 | 1 |
| Standard Warranty | 5 Years / 75,000 km | 5 Years / 75,000 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 220F Variants
Dominar 250 Variants
Pros & Cons
Honest strengths and weaknesses of each bike
Pros
- Significantly lower price — ₹48,349 cheaper than Dominar 250
- Larger 15-litre fuel tank for longer range (~600 km)
- Better fuel efficiency (~40 km/l claimed)
- Lighter at 160 kg — more nimble in city traffic
- Greater ground clearance (165 mm vs 157 mm)
- Iconic semi-faired design with projector headlamp
- Identical 5-year / 75,000 km warranty
- Proven and widely serviced engine platform
Cons
- Lower peak power (20.4 PS vs 27 PS)
- Single-channel ABS only — no dual-channel
- 2-valve engine, less refined at high rpm
- 5-speed gearbox vs 6-speed on Dominar 250
- No riding modes of any kind
- No Bluetooth, USB charging, or traction control
- Semi-digital, outdated instrument console
- No assist & slipper clutch
- Twin-shock rear suspension, less composed handling
Pros
- More power — 27 PS, 32% more than Pulsar 220F
- Liquid-cooled 4-valve engine — refined & modern
- Dual-channel ABS standard for superior braking safety
- 4 riding modes: Road, Rain, Sport & Off-Road
- Traction control for added safety
- USD forks and perimeter frame — superior handling
- Assist & slipper clutch for smoother shifts
- 6-speed gearbox for better highway cruising
- Bluetooth, USB charging, call & SMS alerts
- Full LED lighting including DRLs & turn signals
- Touring-focused ergonomics and longer wheelbase
- Identical 5-year / 75,000 km warranty
Cons
- Considerably more expensive at ₹1,78,273
- Heavier at 180 kg — less agile in city traffic
- Smaller 13-litre tank — shorter range (~416 km)
- Lower fuel efficiency — 35 km/l ARAI vs ~40 km/l
- Lower ground clearance (157 mm vs 165 mm)
- No cruise control despite touring focus
Key Differences Explained
What really sets these two bikes apart
Engine Character
The Pulsar 220F uses a 220.4 cc oil-cooled, 2-valve DTS-i engine producing 20.4 PS — a proven but older architecture tuned for reliable mid-range performance. The Dominar 250 uses a more modern 248.77 cc liquid-cooled, 4-valve engine making 27 PS and 23.5 Nm — 32% more power — with a 6-speed gearbox and assist & slipper clutch. The Dominar's engine is considerably more refined, especially at highway cruising speeds.
Fuel Efficiency & Range
The Pulsar 220F leads clearly on range: claimed efficiency of ~40 km/l with a 15-litre tank gives it approximately 600 km per fill. The Dominar 250's ARAI-certified 35 km/l combined with a 13-litre tank limits it to around 416 km. The 184 km range advantage is highly significant for long-distance riders. However, the Dominar's lower real-world mileage (~30–32 km/l) also means higher running costs.
Braking & Safety
The Dominar 250 is decisively safer: it comes standard with dual-channel ABS and a larger 300 mm front disc. The Pulsar 220F offers only single-channel ABS with a 280 mm front disc. The Dominar also adds traction control and 4 riding modes that tune ABS behaviour for different road conditions — safety technology the Pulsar 220F doesn't offer at all.
Riding Modes & Technology
The Dominar 250 completely outclasses the 220F in technology. It offers 4 riding modes (Road, Rain, Sport, Off-Road), traction control, Bluetooth connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation, call & SMS alerts, USB charging, gear indicator, service reminder, full LED lighting with DRLs, and a digital LCD console. The Pulsar 220F, as an older platform, offers none of these — its instrument cluster is semi-digital with an analogue tachometer and no connectivity.
Warranty & Ownership
This is a genuine dead heat. Both the Pulsar 220F and Dominar 250 offer an identical 5-year / 75,000 km warranty — a class-leading package from Bajaj. Ownership costs differ though: the 220F is cheaper to run daily thanks to better fuel efficiency, while the Dominar's more complex liquid-cooled engine may involve slightly higher service costs. Both benefit from Bajaj's extensive India-wide service network.
Price & Value
The Pulsar 220F at ₹1,29,924 is ₹48,349 cheaper than the Dominar 250 at ₹1,78,273 — a 37% price gap. The Dominar justifies this premium with 32% more power, dual-channel ABS, 4 riding modes, USD forks, traction control, Bluetooth, and a much more modern engine. For budget-focused buyers, the 220F remains exceptional value. For those willing to invest more in a feature-complete touring machine, the Dominar 250 delivers significantly more for the price jump.
Expert Verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
Buy the Pulsar 220F if…
- Budget is your primary constraint — saves ₹48,349
- You need maximum fuel range for long daily commutes (~600 km)
- City agility matters — lighter at 160 kg
- You prefer the iconic semi-faired Pulsar look
- You want the best running cost per kilometre
- Higher ground clearance (165 mm) suits your roads
- A proven, easy-to-service engine platform reassures you
Buy the Dominar 250 if…
- Performance matters — 27 PS and 23.5 Nm torque
- Dual-channel ABS and traction control are must-haves
- You want 4 riding modes for varied road conditions
- USD forks, perimeter frame, and slipper clutch appeal
- Modern tech: Bluetooth, USB charging, full LED lighting
- Touring ergonomics for comfortable long-distance rides
- You can justify the ₹48,349 premium for a future-ready bike
Overall Winner for Most Riders: Bajaj Dominar 250. Despite costing ₹48,349 more, the Dominar 250 delivers a fundamentally superior motorcycle — 32% more power, a modern liquid-cooled engine, dual-channel ABS, 4 riding modes, traction control, USD forks, assist & slipper clutch, Bluetooth, USB charging, and full LED lighting, all backed by the same exceptional 5-year / 75,000 km warranty. For riders who can stretch their budget, the Dominar 250 is outstanding value in the 250cc touring segment. Choose the Pulsar 220F only if budget is your hard constraint, or if maximum fuel range and city agility are your absolute priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered by our experts
For most buyers, the Bajaj Dominar 250 is the better motorcycle — it offers 32% more power (27 PS vs 20.4 PS), dual-channel ABS, 4 riding modes, traction control, USD forks, Bluetooth, USB charging, and full LED lighting, all with the same 5-year / 75,000 km warranty. The Bajaj Pulsar 220F is better if budget is a constraint (₹48,349 cheaper), or if you prioritise a larger fuel tank (~600 km range), better fuel efficiency, and lighter weight (160 kg) for city use.
The Bajaj Pulsar 220F is priced at ₹1,29,924 ex-showroom while the Bajaj Dominar 250 costs ₹1,78,273 ex-showroom — a difference of ₹48,349 (approximately 37% more expensive). Both bikes are available in a single standard variant each. Prices are India averages and may vary by city.
The Bajaj Pulsar 220F has better claimed mileage at approximately 40 km/l compared to the Dominar 250's ARAI-certified 35 km/l. The 220F also has a larger 15-litre tank versus the Dominar's 13 litres, giving it a riding range of ~600 km compared to ~416 km for the Dominar 250 — a 184 km range advantage that is very meaningful for highway commuters and tourers.
The Bajaj Dominar 250 makes significantly more power at 27 PS @ 8500 rpm versus the Bajaj Pulsar 220F's 20.4 PS @ 8500 rpm — a 32% power advantage. The Dominar 250 also produces more torque at 23.5 Nm versus 18.55 Nm for the 220F. The Dominar's 4-valve liquid-cooled engine with a 6-speed gearbox delivers a more refined and energetic character compared to the 220F's 2-valve oil-cooled motor.
Yes, the Bajaj Dominar 250 comes standard with 4 riding modes — Road, Rain, Sport, and Off-Road. Each mode adjusts power delivery, ABS sensitivity, and throttle response for different riding conditions. The Bajaj Pulsar 220F does not offer any riding modes, making the Dominar 250 more versatile across varied road conditions.
Both the Bajaj Pulsar 220F and the Bajaj Dominar 250 offer an identical 5-year / 75,000 km warranty — one of the best in the Indian motorcycle segment. This is a genuine tie and is a significant strength of both bikes. For daily commuters clocking 15,000–20,000 km per year, this warranty provides up to 5 years of coverage regardless of which bike you choose.