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160.3 cc
42 kmpl
5 Speed Manual 
151 kgLocation
Select city
Avg. Ex-showroom price
EMI₹ / month
EMI Calculator| Variant | Price | Specifications | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Pulsar NS160 Twin Disc - ABS - BS VI | ₹ 1,14,954 Avg. Ex-showroom price | Disc Brakes, Alloy Wheels |
Pulsar NS160 key highlights | |
|---|---|
| Engine Capacity | 160.3 cc |
| Mileage | 42 kmpl |
| Transmission | 5 Speed Manual |
| Kerb Weight | 151 kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 12 litres |
| Max Power | 17.03 bhp |
Good Things
Could be Better
If you are in the market for a premium commuter with aggressive looks, decently powerful engine, impressive features and easy handling, the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 should be your pick. Moreover, the affordable spares and Bajaj's vast service reach makes it easy to live with it.
Is this bike still likeable enough that it can sustain in this cut-throat competition? And should you consider bringing it home? We try to answer these questions in this road test review of the Pulsar NS 160.
The Pulsar brand has been extremely fruitful for Bajaj ever since its inception and it continues to be so. And the best-selling member of this family has mostly been the Pulsar 150. But it was around 2017 that Bajaj realised it needed something more exciting and competitive in this segment. And that was when the Pulsar NS160 came into the picture.
We had ridden this bike in its BS4 avatar and we had liked it for more reasons than one. Now, even after the BS6 update, it has remained majorly the same. But, the competition has gotten tougher and there are many strong contenders out there that the Pulsar NS160 has to face.
So, is this bike still likeable enough that it can sustain in this cut-throat competition? And should you consider bringing it home? We try to answer these questions in this road test review of the Pulsar NS 160.
The Pulsar NS160 is just about average on the quality front and definitely not the best in its class. The quality of plastic bodywork is decent and there aren’t any inconsistent panel gaps either. But Bajaj could’ve done slightly better with the paint job. We could see the white paint on the frame of our test bike being smudged out untidily. And some of the panels were already making soft rattling sounds.
Although it’s not well-finished, the white colour on the wheels and frame makes the bike look much more attention-grabbing than before. But it’s a fairly old design that hasn’t seen major changes since its inception with the bigger Pulsar NS 200. Some styling revisions would have brought a breath of fresh air.
The ergonomics of the NS160 are comfortable but there’s a sense of commitment in its riding stance that makes it engaging. Firstly, the seat height of the bike is around 805mm and that’s the tallest in this segment. But getting on the bike should not be a problem at all, even for the shorter riders.
The riding triangle is a bit on the sportier side with footpegs being rear set and a clip-on handlebar that is placed a bit away from the rider but is placed high for easy accessibility. So, the overall setup feels sporty but comfortable at the same time. And the seat feels a bit firm but has optimum cushioning that didn’t tire me out even after two hours of non-stop riding.
The Pulsar NS160 runs on a 160.3cc, single-cylinder oil-cooled engine with a four-valve head. It churns out 17.03bhp of power and 14.6Nm of peak torque. Although this engine feels refined, there's a hint of gruffness at higher revs, which's typical of a Pulsar. And it also likes to be revved. These aspects make riding the NS160 pretty engaging.
It picks up from a standstill with fair urgency and keeps pulling linearly until redline. Although there aren't any surprises across the rev band, you can feel it speeding ahead with a bit more eagerness post 5,000rpm. The first and second gear ratios are short and the engine is relaxed at slow speeds which means riding in the city is a breeze.
Out on the highway, it can stay at around 100kmph all day long without much stress on the engine. But overtaking requires a bit of planning, downshifting, and wringing the throttle hard. And it's not free of vibrations either. As you approach 6,000rpm, a minor buzz starts emanating on the handlebar but not to the extent of being annoying.
The five-speed gearbox is effortless to operate as it shifts with a short throw and assurance. But it often gets stuck at neutral easily while transitioning from first to second. Fortunately, shifting gears never gets tiring because of the lightness of the clutch.
The NS 160 is also feisty in the way it handles. Despite being the heaviest in its class at 151kg, it feels very quick, well-mannered, and composed while changing directions. The steering response is also sharp and quick. So, the NS160 inspires a lot of confidence while switching lanes or going fast around twisties, all thanks to the well-engineered perimeter frame and suspension setup.
That brings us to its ride quality. Damping duties are handled by telescopic forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear. This setup makes sure that minor road undulations are ironed out cleanly and don’t send a nasty jerk to the rider. There’s a bit of stiffness to the ride while going over taller bumps, stones or sharp-edged elements, but it never bounces harshly or loses composure.
The NS160 also stops quickly and confidently. It gets a 260mm disc up front and a 230mm disc at the rear, and both of them do a good job of shedding speed. The front brake has a strong bite and a decent amount of feel at the lever. Although the rear feels too soft, ample progression means the wheel doesn’t lock up easily.
One area where the Pulsar NS160 is lagging behind is modern features. Firstly, a fully-digital instrument cluster has become a norm in this segment and almost all the bikes get it, except for the NS160. It incorporates a semi-digital console that shows only the basic date and it has remained unchanged since 2012 when it had started its life with the NS200. Similarly, all of its rivals come equipped with LED headlamp but the NS160 is still making do with a halogen setup. Nevertheless, the headlamp illuminates the road really well with a good range and spread.
In mixed riding conditions, the Pulsar NS 160 returned a mileage of 39.26kmpl. That translates into a range of around 470km with its 12-litre fuel tank. While that doesn’t really make the motorcycle frugal, it won’t dig a hole in your pocket either.
The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 is for those who want an everyday commuter but with a good dose of sporty styling and performance. It feels relaxed but adequately quick for the city while it can also be a fun and engaging option for your weekend jaunts around some twisties. Once in a while, you can also mount your luggage on it and hit the highway for long trips.
With a price tag of Rs 1.10 lakh (ex-showroom), the Pulsar NS160 is priced slightly higher than the Hero Xtreme 160R and the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V. Whereas, other rivals like the Suzuki Gixxer and the Honda X-Blade are slightly more expensive. Now, these bikes deliver a bit more in terms of modern features, an area in which the NS 160 needs to up its ante. But if you aren’t bothered about an LCD display and an LED headlamp, and want something exciting and raw in terms of performance, nimble to handle and comfortable, mainly for your daily rides, the Pulsar NS160 is worth considering. And although it is not really fuel-efficient, it should be affordable to maintain just like most other Bajaj offerings.
Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi
Full Review
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As reported by Pulsar NS160 owners, the real mileage of Bajaj Pulsar NS160 is 42 kmpl.
Power & PerformanceFuel Type Petrol
Max Power 17.03 bhp @ 9,000 rpm
Max Torque 14.6 Nm @ 7,250 rpm
Cooling System Oil Cooled
Transmission 5 Speed Manual
Transmission Type Chain Drive
Emission Standard BS-VI
Displacement 160.3 cc
Cylinders 1
Bore 58 mm
Stroke 60.7 mm
Valves Per Cylinder 4
Compression Ratio 9.8+/-0.5:1
Ignition DTS-i
Spark Plugs 2 Per Cylinder
Gear Shifting Pattern 1 Down 4 Up
Clutch Wet Multiplate
Fuel Delivery System Fuel Injection
Fuel Tank Capacity 12 litres
Reserve Fuel Capacity 2.4 litres
Riding Range 504 Km
Mileage - ARAI --
Mileage - Owner Reported 42 kmpl
Top Speed --
Brakes, Wheels & SuspensionBraking System Single Channel ABS
Front Brake Type Disc
Front Brake Size 260 mm
Rear Tyre Size 120/80 -17 61 P Tubeless
Tyre Type Tubeless
Radial Tyres No
Rear Brake Type Disc
Rear Brake Size 230 mm
Calliper Type --
Wheel Type Alloy
Front Wheel Size 17 inch
Rear Wheel Size 17 inch
Front Tyre Size 90/90 -17 49 P Tubeless
Front Tyre Pressure (Rider) 25 psi
Rear Tyre Pressure (Rider) 28 psi
Front Tyre Pressure (Rider & Pillion) 25 psi
Rear Tyre Pressure (Rider & Pillion) 32 psi
Front Suspension Telescopic with Anti-friction Bush
Rear Suspension Nitrox mono shock absorber with Canister
Dimensions & ChassisKerb Weight 151 kg
Overall Length 2,017 mm
Overall Width 803.5 mm
Wheelbase 1,372 mm
Ground Clearance 177 mm
Seat Height --
Overall Height 1,060 mm
Chassis Type Perimeter Frame
Manufacturer WarrantyStandard Warranty (Year) 5 Year
Standard Warranty (Kilometers) 75000 Kilometers
Odometer Digital
DRLs (Daytime running lights) Yes
Mobile App Connectivity No
Pillion BackrestNo
Pillion GrabrailYes
Pillion SeatYes
GPS & Navigation No
USB charging port No
Front storage box No
Under seat storage No
AHO (Automatic Headlight On) Yes
Speedometer Digital
Fuel Guage Yes
Tachometer Analogue
Stand Alarm Yes
Stepped Seat Yes
No. of Tripmeters 2
Tripmeter Type Digital
Low Fuel Indicator Yes
Low Oil Indicator Yes
Low Battery Indicator Yes
Pillion FootrestYes
Digital Fuel GuageYes
Start TypeElectric Start
Shift LightYes
KillswitchYes
ClockYes
Electric System12 V DC
Battery12V Full DC MF
Headlight TypeHalogen
Headlight Bulb TypeH4 (12V 55/60W)
Brake/Tail LightLED Taillamp
Turn SignalYes
Pass LightYes
Additional featuresSplit Grab Rails
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Nice bike and speed also is class. It's a fantastic bike. I am bought it 2 years back but bike has no issues at all
Inappropriate review? Report Abuse
Used it for
Daily Commute
Owned for
> 1 yr
Ridden for
> 15000 kms
Got mileage of
45 kmpl
I never owned this bike but i desperately want this bike. One of my close friend is the owner of this bike. Bajaj is well known for its ns series bikes. The overall riding experience of this bike is really satisfying including daily commute; short rides; long rides as w
Inappropriate review? Report Abuse
Used it for
Everything
Owned for
Never owned
Got mileage of
41 kmpl
1.My bike got engine oil sensor problem after 1st service. Its been 5 years now but no one is able to solve it. 2. Clutch plate gone after one year. 3. Engine gives heavy smell if i ride for long distance like 60 km. Even engine oil seal get spoiled and it was leaking e
Inappropriate review? Report Abuse
Used it for
Everything
Owned for
> 1 yr
Ridden for
> 15000 kms
Got mileage of
28 kmpl
Let’s take a quick look at the five pros and two cons of the Pulsar NS160.
Read moreIs this bike still likeable enough that it can sustain in this cut-throat competition? And should you consider bringing it home? We try to answer these questions in this road test review of the Pulsar NS 160.
Read moreThe Bajaj Pulsar NS160 is yet another example of brand segmentation. It is Bajaj’s entry-level premium commuter motorcycle that looks like its elder sibling, the Pulsar NS200, but isn’t priced like one.
Read moreSitting bang in between the Pulsar 150 and the Pulsar 180, the Pulsar NS160 rubs shoulders with the Yamaha FZ-S FI, Honda CB Hornet 160R, Suzuki Gixxer and TVS Apache RTR 160.
Read moreQ: What is the on-road price of Bajaj Pulsar NS160 in 2021?
Q: What is the actual mileage of Bajaj Pulsar NS160?
Q: Which is better Bajaj Pulsar NS160 or TVS Apache RTR 160 4V?
Q: What are the colour options of Bajaj Pulsar NS160?
Q: What are the key specifications of Bajaj Pulsar NS160?
Bajaj Auto has revised the prices of its motorcycles in the Indian market. Here we bring you the new (vs. old) prices of the Bajaj Pulsar NS200, Pulsar NS160, and the RS200.
Read moreWe have ridden the Xtreme 160R and the Pulsar NS160 in all sorts of conditions and both of them have managed to impress in their own ways. But for now, let’s compare these motorcycles in terms of specifications and features for those who are stuck in the dilemma of choosing...
Read moreHere are some of the most eye-catchy images of the Pulsar NS160 from our review.
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