Head-to-Head · 2026 Edition

Pulsar N250 Apache RTR 200 4V

Bajaj's 250cc streetfighter vs TVS's 200cc performance icon — price, specs, mileage & which one to buy

✔ Updated April 2026 ✔ Data from Official Sources ✔ Expert Verdict Inside
Bajaj Pulsar N250 Bajaj Pulsar N250
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Bajaj Pulsar N250

₹1,34,758

Starting ex-showroom

Full Pulsar N250 Details →

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

₹1,38,407

Starting ex-showroom

Full Apache RTR 200 4V Details →

At a Glance

Key differences that define each motorcycle

N250

Bajaj Pulsar N250

  • ⚙️ 249.07 cc Oil-Cooled, 2-valve
  • 24.5 PS @ 8750 rpm
  • 39 km/l (Owner Reported)
  • 🛢️ 14-litre tank
  • 🔴 1 variant available
  • 🛡️ Dual-Ch ABS + Traction Control
Best for: Value, power, range, USD forks & warranty
Apache

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

  • ⚙️ 197.75 cc Oil-Cooled, 4-valve
  • 20.82 PS @ 9000 rpm
  • 41.9 km/l (ARAI)
  • 🛢️ 12-litre tank
  • 🔴 3 variants available
  • 🏁 Ride modes: Sport, Urban, Rain
Best for: ARAI mileage, ground clearance & sporty agility

Full Specification Comparison

Every number that matters — side by side

Specification Bajaj Pulsar N250 TVS Apache RTR 200 4V
Engine & Performance
Displacement 249.07 cc 197.75 cc
Cooling System Oil-Cooled Oil-Cooled
Max Power 24.5 PS @ 8750 rpm 20.82 PS @ 9000 rpm
Max Torque 21.5 Nm @ 6500 rpm 17.25 Nm @ 7250 rpm
Valves per Cylinder 2 4
Compression Ratio 10.5 : 1 9.7 : 1
Bore × Stroke 72 × 61 mm 66 × 57.8 mm
Emission Standard BS6 Phase 2 BS6 OBD-2B
Transmission 5-Speed Manual 5-Speed Manual
Clutch Slipper Clutch Assist & Slipper Clutch
Top Speed ~132 km/h ~127 km/h
Riding Modes Road, Rain, Off-Road Sport, Urban, Rain
Traction Control Yes (standard) Yes (top variant only)
Spark Plugs per Cylinder 2 1
Fuel & Range
Mileage (Claimed) 39 km/l (Owner Reported) 41.9 km/l (ARAI)
Fuel Tank 14 litres 12 litres
Reserve Capacity 2.8 litres 2.5 litres
Riding Range ~546 km ~502 km
Brakes & Wheels
Braking System Dual Channel ABS Dual Channel ABS
Front Brake Disc – 300 mm Disc – 270 mm
Rear Brake Disc – 230 mm Disc – 240 mm
Tyre Type Tubeless Tubeless
Tyre Size (F / R) 110/70-17 / 140/70-17 90/90-17 / 130/70-17
Wheel Type Alloy Alloy
Suspension & Chassis
Front Suspension 37 mm USD Fork Telescopic Fork (USD on top 2 variants)
Rear Suspension Nitrox Monoshock Mono Shock with Preload Adjust
Chassis Tubular Frame Double Cradle Split Synchro Stiff Frame
Rear Preload Adjuster Yes Yes
Dimensions & Weight
Kerb Weight 164 kg 152 kg
Seat Height 795 mm 800 mm
Ground Clearance 165 mm 180 mm
Wheelbase 1351 mm 1353 mm
Overall L × W × H 1989 × 743 × 1050 mm 2050 × 790 × 1050 mm
Features & Electronics
Instrument Console Fully Digital LCD Digital LCD / TFT (top variant)
Headlight LED Projector LED Projector
DRLs Yes Yes
Turn Signals LED LED
Hazard Warning Lights Yes Yes
Riding Modes Road / Rain / Off-Road Sport / Urban / Rain
Traction Control Yes (standard) Yes (top variant only)
Bluetooth Connectivity Yes Yes (SmartXonnect)
Navigation Yes (Turn-by-Turn) Yes
Call & SMS Alerts Yes Yes
Voice Assist No Yes
USB Charging Port Yes Yes
Distance to Empty Yes Yes
Gear Indicator Yes Yes
Service Reminder Yes Yes
Keyless Ignition No No
Price & Warranty
Starting Price (ex-showroom) ₹1,34,758 ₹1,38,407
Top Variant Price ₹1,34,758 ₹1,47,582
Number of Variants 1 3
Standard Warranty 5 Years / 75,000 km 5 Years / 60,000 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

N250

Pulsar N250 Variants

Dual Channel ABS
₹1,34,758
USD ForkDual-Ch ABSTraction Control3 Riding Modes
Apache

Apache RTR 200 4V Variants

Dual Channel ABS with Modes
₹1,38,407
Telescopic ForkDual-Ch ABSRide Modes
USD Forks
₹1,42,659
USD ForkDual-Ch ABSRide Modes
TFT Cluster
₹1,47,582
USD ForkDual-Ch ABSTFT + TC

Pros & Cons

Honest strengths and weaknesses of each bike

Bajaj Pulsar N250

Pros

  • Lower starting price (₹1,34,758 vs ₹1,38,407)
  • Larger 249.07 cc engine — significantly more power (24.5 PS vs 20.82 PS)
  • Higher torque — 21.5 Nm vs 17.25 Nm
  • Larger 14-litre fuel tank for longer range (~546 km)
  • USD front forks standard from base variant
  • Traction control standard on all variants
  • Wider front tyre (110/70 vs 90/90) for better grip
  • Larger 300 mm front disc brake
  • Dual spark plugs per cylinder for better combustion
  • Hazard warning lights standard
  • Turn-by-turn navigation standard
  • Superior 5-year / 75,000 km warranty

Cons

  • Owner-reported mileage (39 km/l) vs ARAI-certified (41.9 km/l) on Apache
  • 2-valve engine — less high-rpm refinement than 4-valve
  • Only 3 riding modes vs Sport/Urban/Rain on Apache
  • Single variant — no choice of trim levels
  • Heavier at 164 kg vs 152 kg
  • Lower ground clearance (165 mm vs 180 mm)
  • No voice assist feature
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Pros

  • ARAI-certified mileage of 41.9 km/l — officially tested
  • Oil-cooled 4-valve engine — sporty, revvy character
  • Ride modes: Sport, Urban & Rain across all variants
  • 3 variants — flexibility to choose your budget & hardware
  • Lighter at 152 kg — more agile and nimble
  • Superior ground clearance (180 mm)
  • Larger rear disc — 240 mm vs 230 mm
  • Voice assist via SmartXonnect
  • USD forks and TFT cluster available on higher variants
  • Race-derived chassis with Double Cradle Split Synchro frame

Cons

  • Smaller 197.75 cc engine — 3.68 PS less power than N250
  • Lower torque (17.25 Nm vs 21.5 Nm)
  • Higher starting price (₹1,38,407 vs ₹1,34,758)
  • Top variant expensive at ₹1,47,582
  • Smaller 12-litre tank — less riding range (~502 km)
  • Traction control only on top TFT variant
  • Smaller 270 mm front disc
  • Narrower front tyre (90/90 vs 110/70)
  • Shorter 5-year / 60,000 km warranty

Key Differences Explained

What really sets these two bikes apart

🔥

Engine Character

This is the most fundamental divide. The Pulsar N250 uses a 249.07 cc oil-cooled 2-valve engine producing a substantial 24.5 PS and 21.5 Nm — a mid-range powerhouse tuned for accessible pull. The Apache RTR 200 4V runs a 197.75 cc oil-cooled 4-valve unit making 20.82 PS and 17.25 Nm — a higher-revving, more responsive motor inspired by TVS Racing. The N250's 51.3 cc displacement advantage translates to 3.68 PS and 4.25 Nm more output, giving it a clear edge in overtaking punch and highway-speed confidence.

Winner (outright power):Pulsar N250

Fuel Efficiency & Range

The Apache RTR 200 4V holds a notable advantage in official mileage figures — its ARAI-certified 41.9 km/l is a verified standard, while the N250's ~39 km/l is owner-reported and varies by riding style. However, the N250's 14-litre tank versus the Apache's 12-litre unit gives it a longer practical range of ~546 km versus ~502 km — a gap of 44 km per fill. For daily commuters, the ARAI figure advantage matters; for tourers, the tank size tips it toward the N250.

Winner (ARAI mileage):Apache RTR 200 4V
🛡️

Braking & Safety

The Pulsar N250 leads on front braking with a larger 300 mm front disc versus the Apache's 270 mm. The N250 also runs a wider 110/70 front tyre (vs 90/90) for a bigger contact patch. Both bikes include dual-channel ABS as standard. The Apache edges ahead with a slightly larger 240 mm rear disc (vs 230 mm). Critically, the N250 includes traction control on all variants while the Apache reserves it for the top TFT variant only.

Winner (overall safety package):Pulsar N250
🏁

Ride Modes & Technology

Both bikes offer three riding modes, but they differ in character. The N250's Road, Rain, and Off-Road modes integrate with ABS thresholds for different surfaces. The Apache's Sport, Urban, and Rain modes adjust throttle response and power delivery for different riding scenarios — with Sport mode adding a more performance-oriented edge. The Apache also adds voice assist via SmartXonnect, while the N250 counters with turn-by-turn navigation and standard traction control.

Winner (ride modes depth):Apache RTR 200 4V
⚖️

Weight, Agility & Ground Clearance

The Apache RTR 200 4V is meaningfully lighter at 152 kg versus the N250's 164 kg — a 12 kg difference that makes it noticeably more nimble in city traffic and sharper through corners. The Apache also has significantly better ground clearance at 180 mm versus 165 mm — a 15 mm advantage that makes it more capable on broken urban roads and light off-road sections. For city-focused riding, the Apache's lighter, taller stance is a genuine advantage.

Winner (agility & clearance):Apache RTR 200 4V
💰

Price, Value & Warranty

The Pulsar N250 starts ₹3,649 cheaper (₹1,34,758 vs ₹1,38,407) and there is only one variant — no premium required for USD forks or traction control, which come standard. The Apache's top TFT Cluster variant reaches ₹1,47,582 — ₹12,824 more than the N250. On warranty, the N250 covers a superior 5 years / 75,000 km versus the Apache's 5 years / 60,000 km. For the entry price, the N250 delivers more power, a larger tank, wider tyres, USD forks, and better warranty — making its value proposition exceptionally strong.

Winner (value & warranty):Pulsar N250

Expert Verdict

Which one should you actually buy?

4.6 ★★★★½

Buy the Pulsar N250 if…

  • You want more power and torque — 24.5 PS and 21.5 Nm
  • A lower starting price with no compromise on hardware matters
  • USD forks, traction control and riding modes standard from base
  • A larger 14-litre tank for 546 km range suits your touring pattern
  • A wider 110/70 front tyre and larger 300 mm disc inspire confidence
  • The superior 5-year / 75,000 km warranty gives long-term peace of mind
  • You're upgrading from a 150–200cc bike and want a genuine step up in power
View Full Pulsar N250 Details →
4.5 ★★★★½

Buy the Apache RTR 200 4V if…

  • ARAI-certified mileage of 41.9 km/l is important to you
  • You want a lighter, more agile bike (152 kg) for city riding
  • Higher ground clearance (180 mm) matters on your roads
  • Sport mode and TVS Racing-inspired engine character excites you
  • You want variant flexibility — choose base, USD or TFT
  • A high-revving 4-valve engine feel appeals to you
  • You prefer the Apache's race-derived chassis and handling pedigree
View Full Apache RTR 200 4V Details →

Overall Winner for Most Riders: Bajaj Pulsar N250. At ₹3,649 less than the Apache RTR 200 4V's base variant, the Pulsar N250 delivers 24.5 PS (vs 20.82 PS), 21.5 Nm (vs 17.25 Nm), a larger 14-litre tank, USD forks, traction control, a wider front tyre and 300 mm front disc — all as standard — along with a superior 5-year / 75,000 km warranty. The TVS Apache RTR 200 4V fights back with an ARAI-certified 41.9 km/l mileage advantage, a lighter 152 kg frame, 15 mm more ground clearance, Sport/Urban/Rain modes, and the iconic TVS Racing pedigree. If raw performance, range, and value define your purchase, choose the N250. If city agility, verified fuel efficiency, and a sporty lightweight character are your priorities, the Apache RTR 200 4V is the right pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions answered by our experts