Bajaj Pulsar NS160

The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 is a premium 160cc commuter motorcycle designed and engineered with a touch of sportiness in visual appeal and performance. Much like its larger counterpart, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200, the new 2024 Pulsar NS160 received a few updates over its last iteration. 

The new Bajaj Pulsar NS160 now starts at Rs 1.46 lakh and competes with motorcycles like TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, Hero Xtreme 160R, Yamaha FZ-S FI V4, Honda Hornet 2.0 and the Suzuki Gixxer 150.

Similar in appearance to the Pulsar NS200, the Pulsar NS160 has upgraded the familiar streetfighter look. The latest version gets a revised LED headlight with thunderbolt-shaped daytime running lights, which they claim increases visibility while riding around at night. The turn indicators are now all LED units, adding more premium appeal to the motorcycle. The fuel tank of the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 retains its muscular design from the NS200 model, with its longer knee recesses giving it a sporty look.

There are no changes to the split seat arrangement, sleek-looking split LED tail lamps, aluminium rear fender and underbelly exhaust of the Bajaj Pulsar NS160. However, the updated version gets new, bolder graphics on the fuel tank and the side shrouds. Bajaj offers the 2024 Pulsar NS160 in four colour options: Ebony Black, Cocktail Wine Red, Pearl Metallic White, and Pewter Grey.

The 2024 Bajaj Pulsar NS160 continues to make use of the same single-cylinder, air/oil-cooled 160.8cc engine. Featuring Bajaj's twin-spark technology, this engine puts out 17.2PS at 9000rpm and a peak torque of 14.6Nm at 7250rpm. This engine is a high-revving powertrain that offers a linear power delivery and a healthy mid-range. However, vibrations creep in on the footpegs and around the tank as the speed goes up. 

The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 has a light clutch paired with a five-speed gearbox that offers smooth shifts. Performance is adequate for both city riding and long highway journeys. As for mileage, our real-world tests have shown that the Pulsar NS160 can achieve approximately 40.6kmpl fuel efficiency within city limits and around 48kmpl on the highway. With a 12-litre fuel tank, the Pulsar NS160 has a range of well over 450 km.

The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 received an upside-down telescopic fork suspension at the front in its last update and retained the gas-charged mono-shock at the rear. With a slightly firm suspension setup, the Pulsar NS160 offers agile handling with more stability around corners. However, the ride quality can be jerky over sharp potholes and breakers.

The 100/80-17 front and 130/70-17 rear tubeless tyres also help in enhancing its manoeuvrability. With a dual-channel ABS offered as standard, the new Bajaj Pulsar NS160 has a 300 mm disc at the front and a 230 mm disc at the rear.

The firm suspension of the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 means you'll need to be more cautious while riding over sharp bumps and unpaved roads. The split seats are decently padded, while the split grab rails provide extra comfort for the pillion rider. The seat height is suitable to most riders, though shorter riders may have to tip-toe. The Pulsar NS160's kerb weight of 152 kg makes it easier to move around in heavy traffic.

The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 has been updated with a new fully digital instrument cluster, with the LCD screen having a speedometer, tachometer, fuel level, clock, odometer, and trip meter readings. This LCD console also gets Bluetooth connectivity for smartphones that provides call and SMS alerts, phone battery and signal levels, and even turn-by-turn navigation. 

Other features of this LCD screen include gear position indication, real-time mileage display, distance-to-empty indicators, and a kick-starter. The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 also has clip-on handlebars and backlit switches, which are unique additions in this segment.

While the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 has a higher price than most of its rivals in the 150-160cc commuter category, it also offers some of the sportiest performance and handling. Overall, the updated features list and segment-leading performance figures make the new Pulsar NS160 desirable despite the high price tag.