The new Pulsar NS160 marks Bajaj’s onslaught in the premium commuter category. Locking horns against the likes of the Yamaha FZ-S FI, Honda CB Hornet 160R, Suzuki Gixxer and the TVS Apache RTR 160, the Pulsar NS160 aims to attract buyers looking for an efficient yet stylish commuter motorcycle. Here is a quick overview of the five things about the Pulsar NS160 that caught our attention -
Muscular styling
The Pulsar NS160 essentially sports a five year old design. But the way the designers at Bajaj have played with the matte grey makes the Pulsar NS160 look modern even today. The dual-tone paint schemes, edgy headlamp, tank extension and the new belly pan highlight the bike’s muscular character, making it stand out in the crowd.
Comfortable riding position
Bajaj has struck a nice balance of comfort and sportiness with the riding position of the Pulsar NS160. The raised clip-on handlebar keeps your torso upright and the sculpted tank allows a good grip on the bike. These coupled with the rear set footpegs give the Pulsar NS160 a big bike feel, similar to its elder sibling.
Sweet handling
The Pulsar NS160 is 10 kilograms lighter than the Pulsar NS200 thanks to lighter wheels, skinnier forks and regular tubeless tyres. And the results are impressive. The lighter front end and narrow profile front tyre makes the Pulsar NS160 a very nimble motorcycle, ready to change direction at the drop of a hat.
Flat torque spread
The Pulsar NS160 engine gets a flat torque spread, more in line with a commuter motorcycle than a sporty offering. This makes is very easy to ride in traffic. You can whack open the throttle at any given moment for a quick overtake. However, this also makes the performance a little unexciting. With a suspension and brake setup this good, we would have liked the engine to pack a punch.
Vibey engine
The Pulsar NS160 feels fairly smooth when you are puttering around the city. However, go past 5,000rpm and it has its fair share of vibrations. You can feel a buzz on the handlebars, foot pegs and the fuel tank which gets annoying after a while. Even the exhaust note past 5,000rpm sounds unpleasant after a while.
