At a Glance
Key differences that define each motorcycle
Bajaj Pulsar NS125
- 124.45 cc Air-Cooled, 4-Valve
- 12 PS @ 8500 rpm
- 46.9 km/l (ARAI)
- 12-litre tank
- 3 variants available
- ABS available (top variant)
TVS Raider 125
- 124.8 cc Air & Oil-Cooled, 3-Valve
- 11.38 PS @ 7500 rpm
- 71.94 km/l (ARAI)
- 10-litre tank
- 7 variants available
- TFT display (top variant)
Full Specification Comparison
Every number that matters — side by side
| Specification | Bajaj Pulsar NS125 | TVS Raider 125 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine & Performance | ||
| Displacement | 124.45 cc | 124.8 cc |
| Cooling System | Air-Cooled | Air & Oil-Cooled |
| Max Power | 12 PS @ 8500 rpm | 11.38 PS @ 7500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 11 Nm @ 7000 rpm | 11.75 Nm @ 6000 rpm |
| Valves per Cylinder | 4 | 3 |
| Compression Ratio | 10 ± 0.5 : 1 | 10.3 : 1 |
| Bore × Stroke | 52 × 58.6 mm | 53.5 × 55.5 mm |
| Emission Standard | BS6 / OBD2 | BS6 Phase 2 |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual | 5-Speed Manual |
| Top Speed | 103 km/h | 99 km/h |
| Riding Modes | No | Eco & Power (select variants) |
| Fuel & Range | ||
| Mileage (ARAI) | 46.9 km/l | 71.94 km/l |
| Mileage (Real-world) | 45–50 km/l | ~60–65 km/l |
| Fuel Tank | 12 litres | 10 litres |
| Reserve Capacity | 2.6 litres | 1.6 litres |
| Riding Range (est.) | ~560 km | 650–700 km |
| Brakes & Wheels | ||
| Braking System | CBS / Single-Channel ABS (top variant) | CBS (Synchronized Braking Technology) |
| Front Brake | Disc – 240 mm (all variants) | Disc 240 mm / Drum (base variant) |
| Rear Brake | Drum – 130 mm | Drum 130 mm / Disc 200 mm (top variants) |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Tyre Size (F / R) | 90/90-17 / 120/80-17 | 80/100-17 / 100/90-17 |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 17-inch (F & R) | 17-inch (F & R) |
| Suspension & Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Fork | Telescopic Fork |
| Rear Suspension | Nitrox Mono Shock | Mono-shock, 5-step Adjustable |
| Chassis | Perimeter Frame | Single Cradle Tubular Frame |
| Rear Preload Adjuster | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Kerb Weight | 144 kg | 123–125 kg |
| Seat Height | 805 mm | 780 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 178 mm | 180 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1352 mm | 1326 mm |
| Overall L × W × H | 2012 × 810 × 1078 mm | 2070 × 785 × 1028 mm |
| Features & Electronics | ||
| Instrument Console | Semi-Digital / Digital (LED BT variants) | Reverse LCD / 5-inch TFT (top variant) |
| Headlight | Halogen / LED (LED BT variants) | LED (all variants) |
| DRLs | Yes | Yes |
| Brake / Tail Light | LED | LED |
| Turn Signals | Halogen | Bulb |
| Hazard Warning Lights | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes (LED BT variants) | Yes (SXC & TFT variants) |
| Navigation (Turn-by-Turn) | No | Yes (TFT variant) |
| USB Charging Port | Yes (variant dependent) | Yes (select variants) |
| Gear Indicator | No | Yes |
| Tachometer | Yes | Yes |
| Service Reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Idle Stop-Start | No | Yes (iGO variant) |
| Silent Start | No | Yes |
| Side Stand Engine Cut-off | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | No | No |
| Keyless Ignition | No | No |
| Price & Warranty | ||
| Starting Price (ex-showroom) | ₹92,671 | ₹84,490 |
| Top Variant Price | ₹1,01,934 | ₹97,719 |
| Number of Variants | 3 | 7 |
| 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
Bajaj Pulsar NS125 Variants
TVS Raider 125 Variants
Pros & Cons
Honest strengths and weaknesses of each bike
Pros
- Sporty NS-series perimeter frame chassis for better rigidity
- Higher top speed — 103 km/h vs 99 km/h
- 4-valve engine technology for high-rpm breathing
- ABS available on top variant (NS125 LED BT ABS)
- Larger 12-litre fuel tank and 2.6-litre reserve
- Wider tyres (90/90-17 front, 120/80-17 rear)
- Longer wheelbase (1352 mm) for highway stability
- Higher seat height (805 mm) for taller riders
- Stronger warranty coverage — 5 years / 75,000 km
- Aggressive Pulsar NS streetfighter design
Cons
- Much lower ARAI mileage (46.9 km/l vs 71.94 km/l)
- Significantly heavier at 144 kg vs 123–125 kg
- Higher starting price (₹92,671 vs ₹84,490)
- Only 3 variants — limited choice
- No TFT display or navigation option
- No riding modes on any variant
- No idle stop-start or silent start
- No hazard warning lights
- No gear indicator
- Halogen headlight on base variant
Pros
- Exceptional ARAI mileage — 71.94 km/l
- 7 variants covering every budget and feature preference
- Lower starting price at ₹84,490
- Lighter weight (123–125 kg) for better city agility
- 5-inch TFT display with navigation on top variant
- Riding modes (Eco & Power) on select variants
- Oil-cooled engine stays cooler in stop-go traffic
- Hazard warning lights on all variants
- Gear indicator on all variants
- LED headlight standard across all variants
- Idle stop-start (iGO variant) and silent start
- Dual rear disc option on SXC and TFT variants
Cons
- No ABS available on any variant
- Lower peak power (11.38 PS vs 12 PS)
- Shorter warranty km limit (60,000 km vs 75,000 km)
- Smaller 10-litre tank and smaller reserve (1.6 litres)
- Narrower tyres (80/100-17 front)
- Single cradle frame — less sporty chassis than perimeter
- Lower top speed (99 km/h vs 103 km/h)
- Drum brake on base variant
Key Differences Explained
What really sets these two bikes apart
Fuel Efficiency & Range
This is the most striking difference between the two. The Raider 125 delivers an ARAI-certified 71.94 km/l — nearly 25 km/l more than the NS125's 46.9 km/l. Despite its smaller 10-litre tank, the Raider's estimated range of 650–700 km comfortably exceeds the NS125's ~560 km from its larger 12-litre tank.
Chassis & Weight
The Pulsar NS125 uses a perimeter frame — the same architecture as larger performance motorcycles — giving it superior rigidity, sharper cornering and confident high-speed stability. The Raider 125 uses a single cradle tubular frame but compensates with a significantly lighter kerb weight of 123–125 kg versus the NS125's heavier 144 kg.
Technology & Features
The Raider 125 offers the richer technology stack — a 5-inch TFT display with navigation, riding modes, idle stop-start, silent start, hazard lights and a gear indicator across its range. The NS125 gains ground only with ABS on its top variant; across electronics and connectivity, the Raider 125 leads comprehensively.
Braking & Safety
The NS125 offers ABS on its top variant (₹1,01,934) — a feature the Raider 125 does not offer on any of its 7 variants. The NS125 also has front disc standard across all variants. The Raider 125 counters with dual rear disc on its SXC and TFT variants, which the NS125 cannot match.
Price & Variant Choice
The Raider 125 starts at ₹84,490 — approximately ₹8,181 less than the NS125's base price of ₹92,671. With 7 variants ranging from ₹84,490 to ₹97,719, the Raider gives buyers considerably more flexibility. The NS125's 3 variants (₹92,671 to ₹1,01,934) are more limited in scope but include ABS at the top.
Warranty & Ownership
The NS125 offers a marginally better warranty with 5 years / 75,000 km versus the Raider's 5 years / 60,000 km. For high-usage commuters clocking significant kilometres annually, this 15,000 km additional coverage provides meaningful long-term peace of mind.
Expert Verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
Buy the Bajaj Pulsar NS125 if…
- ABS braking safety is non-negotiable for you
- Sporty perimeter frame handling dynamics matter most
- You want the higher top speed (103 km/h)
- A larger 12-litre fuel tank is important for your rides
- Wider tyres and sporty NS aesthetics appeal to you
- Higher seat height (805 mm) suits your build
- The 75,000 km warranty coverage gives you confidence
Buy the TVS Raider 125 if…
- Fuel efficiency is your highest priority (71.94 km/l)
- You want the lowest entry price in the sporty 125cc class
- A TFT display with navigation is an exciting feature
- Riding modes and idle stop-start are useful to you
- You want more variants to match your exact budget
- A lighter motorcycle is easier to manage in city traffic
- Oil-cooled engine cooling in heavy traffic matters
Overall Winner for Most Riders: TVS Raider 125. An exceptionally lower starting price, class-leading ARAI mileage of 71.94 km/l, 7 well-structured variants, a segment-first TFT display with navigation, riding modes, lighter weight and oil-cooled engine make the Raider 125 the more practical and better-value choice for the majority of buyers. Choose the Bajaj Pulsar NS125 if outright sportiness from its perimeter frame chassis, ABS braking safety, a larger fuel tank, higher top speed and wider tyres are your primary purchase drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered by our experts
The TVS Raider 125 is better for most buyers due to its significantly lower starting price (₹84,490 vs ₹92,671), class-leading ARAI mileage (71.94 km/l vs 46.9 km/l), 7 variant choices, TFT display with navigation, riding modes, lighter weight and oil-cooled engine. The Bajaj Pulsar NS125 is the better choice if you want ABS braking safety, a sportier perimeter frame chassis, higher top speed, wider tyres and a 75,000 km warranty.
The TVS Raider 125 starts at ₹84,490 while the Bajaj Pulsar NS125 starts at ₹92,671 ex-showroom. The NS125 is approximately ₹8,181 more expensive at the base variant level. The NS125's top variant (₹1,01,934 with ABS) is ₹4,215 more expensive than the Raider's top variant (₹97,719 with TFT). All prices may vary by city.
The TVS Raider 125 has significantly better ARAI-certified mileage at 71.94 km/l compared to the Bajaj Pulsar NS125's 46.9 km/l. This near 25 km/l advantage is one of the largest mileage gaps between any two sporty 125cc motorcycles. For daily commuters, the Raider's mileage advantage translates to very substantial fuel savings over a year of ownership.
The Bajaj Pulsar NS125 makes slightly more peak power at 12 PS @ 8500 rpm compared to the TVS Raider 125's 11.38 PS @ 7500 rpm. The NS125 also has a marginally higher top speed of 103 km/h vs 99 km/h. However, the Raider 125 produces more torque (11.75 Nm vs 11 Nm) and its oil-cooled 3-valve engine delivers more usable real-world performance in city stop-go conditions where cooling matters.
Yes. The Bajaj Pulsar NS125 LED BT ABS variant (₹1,01,934) comes with single-channel ABS for improved braking safety. The base NS125 and NS125 LED BT variants use a CBS braking system. The TVS Raider 125 does not offer ABS on any of its 7 variants — all Raider variants use CBS braking. If ABS is a priority, the NS125 is the clear choice between the two.
Both motorcycles offer a 5-year warranty, but the Bajaj Pulsar NS125 covers 75,000 km compared to the TVS Raider 125's 60,000 km. The NS125's higher km warranty limit is an advantage for high-mileage daily commuters who clock 15,000+ km per year and want extended factory coverage.
Yes. The TVS Raider 125 TFT Dual Disc variant (₹97,719) comes with a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation and smartphone alerts. This feature is not available on any variant of the Bajaj Pulsar NS125, which uses semi-digital or digital LCD consoles depending on the variant.