Pulsar N 250 vs Karizma XMR 210
Karizma and the Bajaj Pulsar it’s a rivalry that is a classic tale in India’s two-wheeler history, a battle that has panned over two decades.
Both brands, through their respective models, have continually wired for dominance in the entry sports bike segment, each with a loyal fan base.
The Karizma, known for its refined performance and stylish design, became an icon for a generation of riders.
On the other hand, the Pulsar, with its aggressive styling and powerful performance, appealed to those seeking thrill and speed.
This rivalry has pushed both Hero and Bajaj to keep innovating and elevating their offerings, constantly reshaping the preferences and the expectations of the Indian bikers, the Indian buyers.
These here, like I said, are their latest iterations, the new ones that enter this fierce competition.
Hero Karizma XMR 210, and the Bajaj Pulsar N250 in its updated avatar.
Design
From the design perspective, the Hero Karizma XMR and the Bajaj Pulsar N250 continue to present distinct esthetics catering to different tastes, just the way the predecessors did.
Yet again, it’s the Karizma with the more number of plastics. In fact, this time around, they’ve gone with a full fairing, but the design leaves very little room for crash bobbins or frame sliders.
And then you have these which look good, look very sporty, but they don’t really fold unless you’re going to use Allen case.
So that can become a bit cumbersome while negotiating traffic, especially in the bumper to bumper city traffic.
And when you’re out on the highway, you can get a bit of that wind resistance with an accessible wiser.
The XMR isn’t your typical sport tourer like its predecessors were, and has a compact, sporty form, reminiscent of the Yamaha YZF R15, which also happens to be one of its primary competitors.
The twin hot LED headlight has better throw and spread than the Pulsar, but its sophisticated design has polarized onlookers.
The petal disks add to the boom, and the XMR, like its predecessors, manages to turn more heads, especially, especially in shade of yellow.
The Pulsar, on the other hand, sticks to tradition, it’s a sporty naked design. Yet at the same time, it’s a big departure from the design theme that you’ve seen on the preceding Pulsars.
The single projector beam lamp, edgy and angular styling, and the absence of a windscreen underscore its fresh approach.
And on the 2024 model, they’ve also thrown in new graphics.
If windscreens and beefier bodywork is your If you’re looking for something, then you might have to look at the aging Pulsar 220F, which still continues to be a crowd favorite, or maybe look at the F250 sibling for this motorcycle, which too is expected to get the same upgrades and updates that the N250 has received for 2024.
Seat Specifications
The upside down fox, despite their slim 37 millimeter diameter, add more meat to the pulser’s design, making it look more imposing.
The Karizma, on the other hand, looks lean and sporty.
The Karizma is slightly likely due to its additional bodywork, and surprisingly, has higher seats despite its compact appearance.
But long distance comfort for the rider is better in this shadow.
Both the Karizma and the N250 have split seat designs, but the Pulsar’s rear seat is notably more comfortable for larger or side-sanding pinions.
In terms of fit, finish, and paint quality, the Pulsar N250 appears to have a slight edge, and you’re likely to have lesser creaks and rattles from these panels compared to the Karizma. It reminds me of the early 2000s haul over again.
Features
Both vehicles have USB ports that are placed conveniently for charging devices that are in your tank bag, but the arrangement on the Pulsar seems safer, with the are a little bit less likely to tangle with the handlebar compared to that of the Karizma.
The metal tank on the Pulsar also opens up a wider range of tank bag options compared to the plastic tank on the Karizma.
Instrumentation & Tech
The Karizma comes with a smart-looking instrumentation, and you can also get one with an e-SIM and connected tech if you see value in it.
The Pulsar, on the other hand, is still playing catch-up in this department, and the new instrumentation follows the norm with Bluetooth connectivity, telephony alerts, and turn-by-turn navigation.
But as I always say, I would rather mount a phone with Google Maps for better navigation.
From that perspective, the standard handlebar on the Pulsar is more accommodating for a phone mount than the clip-ons on the Karizma.
But as the points go, the Karizma scores higher in the features department for its smarter instrumentation and adjustable wiser.
Exhaust
Both the Hero Karizma XMR and the Bajajaj Pulsar N250 emit robust gruff tones from their exhausts.
However, the Pulsar’s growl stands out for its distinct and engaging sound, resonating more profoundly with enthusiasts who favor a more aggressive on a till profile.
This preference in sound adds another layer to the bike’s individual character and appeal.
Engine, Power & Torque
On the power train front, both the engines are very closely matched in terms of their power and torque outputs.
That said, the clutch on the Karizma feels a little bit heavy and can feel cumbersome while riding in the city traffic.
And in terms of absolute throttle response, it does feel a bit restrained, a bit held back compared to the Zestia feel on the Pulsar.
The Karizma stands out with its mid-range and topping power, though it does experience vibrations beyond 5,000 RPM.
Its liquid-cooled engine and effective airflow through the fairing prevent overheating.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency is notable, with a Karizma offering around 8 km/l in the urban settings and 47 km/l on the highways.
This efficiency, despite its compact 11-litre tank, allows for a comfortable range of 370-400 km.
In terms of the fuel consumption, the Pulsar isn’t as efficient, with approximately 36 kilometers to a liter in the city and 45 on the highway.
The Pulsar definitely feels and is quicker off the mark. Even the mid-range is quite good, it pulls quite cleanly.
But when it comes to the top-end performance, it doesn’t quite match the Karizma. This one feels better in that department.
Acceleration
It manages the zero to 100 km/h dash slightly quicker than the Karizma. While both motor cycles seem to have a similar ceiling for the top speeds, the Karizma feels more comfortable whizzing past 125 km/h.
In the city, the Pulsar’s clutch is a bit lighter, though, but the gear shifts can feel a bit notchy. Its cooling system effectively manages engine heat.
Riding Dynamics
The Hero Karizma XMR and the Bajaja Pulsar N250 offer a vivid blend of agility and stability.
Both the bikes sport MRF Zapper tires, but the bikes feel different in the way they handle.
Both these vehicles employ almost similar rubber, MRF Zapper FY and Zapper Fx.
Tyre Specifications
The tire sizes are slightly different, you get 100 section front on the Charisma versus 110 on the Pulsar.
Of course, you can read that in the brochure as well.
But what I’m trying to say here is in terms of winding roads or fast flowing corners, the Karizma actually feels a lot more stable through the corner.
Even direction changes at highway speeds feel much better on the Karizma, again, highlighting the fact that this is the better highway operator.
But when it comes to fast switchbacks or changing directions quickly, the Pulsar does a much better job. It feels more flickable in that sense.
Wheelbase
Now, it mimics the effects of a shorter wheelbase compared to the Karizma.
But interesting fact is that in In the previous Avtar, it had the identical wheelbase to the Karizma, 1351 millimeters.
However, with its update, it’s somehow gone down to 1342.
Now, in terms of the front-end feel, it’s a little bit better when you’re attacking corners with the Pulsar.
That’s down to the wider tire and also the USD forks. However, sometimes on the braking, there is a bit of that skipping that you will feel on the front.
The front feels a bit bouncy, especially on the undulated surfaces. The Pulsar has a very light front end despite the beefy upside down forks.
And while some riders may not like it, the typical Pulsar maniacs will love it for the wheelies and other stunt sessions, no doubt is the better stunt machine than the Karizma continuing with the tradition yet Again.
Suspension
Speaking of suspension, the setups on both bikes are pretty similar, 37 millimeter folks up front and a motor shock at the rear.
But the Pulsar has a Cushion ride, feels slightly more forgiving and seems to handle potholes better with its relaxed riding pusher.
On the straight roads though we found a new pulsar to have a bit of chatter or low frequency vibrations coming from its shiny new forks.
Thankfully, it doesn’t translate into any unnerving frontend field or feedback when attacking the bends.
Braking
Breaking dynamics further distinguish these two motorcycles, despite similarities in the diameters of their disc brakes.
The Pulsar stops a little bit quicker than the Karizma and has a more progressive feel at the liver.
Ride Modes
The Karizma breaks are excellent too, but the 2024 Pulsar 250 now edges ahead with a customizable ABS, which allows you to choose between three modes.
A road for aggressive braking, rain for progressive braking, but higher ABS intrusion and an off-road mode Whether a rare ABS intervention is very negligible to allow sliding the rear wheel on gravel or dirt.
The difference in the three modes isn’t vastly noticeable, but it’s a good safety system to have is what I think.
Another addition to the safety department is a basic traction control system, which can also be turned off completely when you engage the off-road.
ABS mode Do remember the modes are for the braking system only and do not affect the traction control or the engine behavior in any way.
Verdict
When the original Karizma and the original Pulsar debuted, they were the hot throbs of the nation.
Today, these models, the latest generations, they don’t quite enjoy the same kind of aura.
It’s partly because there are a lot of options out there today, and partly because 200, 250 cc engines don’t really cut it, these motorcycles need at least 400 cc or up to recreate that kind of magic.
That said, both these model lines are soaked in history and emotion.
So from a first time bias perspective, there’s a fine blend of nostalgia and modernity, and that should definitely attract a lot of newcomers to these brands, these lineages.
Price
The Pulsar over the years has evolved tremendously.
The N 250 particular offers vivacious spirit and versatile performance. Meanwhile, the Karizma, despite its highs and lows, has retained a certain legendary allure, which makes it even more desirable in its new form.
As before It also comes with a higher price tag though.
And while it’s a significant gap over the pulsar, those looking for a sporty full fed machine are likely to spend that money because Baja simply doesn’t have a 250 CC machine to counter that particular form factor.
But worshipers of naked motorcycles will appreciate the fact that despite the enhancements made to the Pulsar N250 in the suspension braking electronics and styling department, it costs more or less the same as before, making it the more value for money offering.