The 160cc motorcycle segment in India has been garnering big numbers even with just a handful of models on sale. Bajaj too wants a piece of the pie and launched the Pulsar N160 for the matter. It’ll co-exist with its siblings – the Pulsar 150 and the Pulsar NS160. We recently rode it for a brief period of time and here’s what it’s like, through these detailed images.
First things first, Bajaj has got the aesthetic department fairly sorted. The Pulsar N160 borrows the Pulsar N250’s design, which means equal road presence as the quarter-litre bike and also the Yamaha MT-15-like fascia.
The N160 also looks fairly sporty and youthful, which is a good thing. It gets slightly rear-set footpegs, a flat handlebar and the overall rider-triangle is comfortable.
While the features list on the Pulsar N160 isn’t extensive, it does LED illumination and dual-channel ABS. That said, the digital-analogue instrument console leaves you wanting more. It gets the basic trip meter readout and distance to empty. Meanwhile, the foes offer Bluetooth connectivity as well.
Bajaj has plonked an oil-cooled 164.82cc single-cylinder motor. It dishes out 15.7bhp and 14.65Nm and is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. In typical commuter fashion, the N160 has ample drive in the low and mid rev range. The torque is available instantly and you don’t have to work the gearbox too much around the 4,000rpm mark.
The Pulsar N160 handles quite well. All the inputs to the handlebar are reflected well during the ride. Switching sides and tipping into the corners doesn’t require much effort either.
It rides on conventional telescopic forks and a monoshock setup. The 17-inch alloys are wrapped in MRF rubber and the braking hardware comprises a single disc at both ends with dual-channel ABS.
So, how’s the grip? Is the suspension comfortable for daily commute? And is the 1.27 lakh asking price worth it? Read our first ride review of the Bajaj Pulsar N160 for your answers.
