Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 Dual-ABS First Ride: New and Improved!

Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 was first introduced as an affordable alternative to the NS 200 in 2017.

To keep costs low, there was considerable part-sharing between the Pulsar NS 160 and NS 200. However, the original Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 came with an 80/100-17 front and 110/80-17 rear tyre.

The thinner tyres didn’t just affect the brawny look of the Pulsar NS body, but it also bottle-necked its performance.

Perhaps that should explain its lack of popularity in the Nepali market.

Subsequently, Bajaj Auto revised the tyre profile for its second revision in the Single-Channel ABS iteration. The tyre profile increased to 90/90-17 at the front and 120/80-17 at the rear.

This was good, but not better.

Bajaj Auto isn’t holding back in the Bajaj Pulsar NS 160.

It gets the same treatment as the updated Pulsar NS 200, down right to its suspension and braking configuration.

This is the update Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 had been waiting for.

Both NS 160 BS6 Dual-ABS and NS 160 BS4 ABS are currently available for Rs. 3.84 Lakhs to Rs. 3.30 Lakhs respectively.

By adding Rs. 54,000 more than the ABS variant, the new Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 offers Dual-Channel ABS, USD Fork, Updated Instrument Meter, Better Color Schemes, and Revamped Performance.

I am super excited about riding the new Pulsar NS 160!

This is the Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 First Ride.

Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 First Ride

Design

Bajaj hasn’t changed the design at all.

It still comes with the familiar muscular styling expected from a naked street fighter.

It gets an aggressive headlamp design, stylized alloy wheels, an engine cowl, and attractive graphic offerings.

Moreover, the well-cushioned seat with a split-type grab bar and an iconic Bajaj LED tail lamp remains the same.

Like before, there is an update in overall graphics and decals.

Interestingly, Bajaj has finally removed the white color from its alloys and perimeter frame. It gets a silver-satin finish instead which drastically improves its appeal.

This feels like the OG Pulsar NS.

Furthermore, there are other elements that help ensure its sleeker profile.

The “Pulsar” emblem and “Fueltank Cap” gets a blacked-out treatment. Compared to the older NS160, the BS6 iteration now gets wider tires, a chunkier front fork, a larger disc size, and a boosted engine performance.

The build and finish continue to be premium for the 160cc segment.

The overall design element is pretty much the same, but the newer color scheme helps it become the most aggressive and muscular street fighter around.

Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 is available in two colors: Black and White.

Performance

Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 is powered by a 160.3cc 4-valve, Oil-Cooled, and Twin-Spark DTS-I FI engine. It generates a max power of 17.2 PS at 9000 rpm and a max torque of 14.6Nm at 7250 rpm.

Moreover, it is mated to a 5-speed gearbox with a 12-liter fuel tank capacity.

It is BS6-compliant, getting the side-stand engine cut off as standard.

Moreover, it generates 1.8 PS more power than the BS4 iteration. However, there is no change in the torque output.

So far, the new NS 160 does feel like an improvement over its Carburetor variant.

The top-end performance has improved.

Furthermore, the vibrations have been toned down a bit. Similarly, the exhaust also gets a minor rework.

It is a mixed bag in terms of configuration and handling… but in a good way.

There is a sense of familiarity, perhaps because the Pulsar NS hasn’t changed much in recent years. Yet, the new NS 160 is better, newer, and much improved.

Is it because of its complete part-sharing with the NS 200?

Especially since, the new improvements come from its new Fatter Tyres, Upside Down Fork, and Dual-Channel ABS.

Add it all up with the trademark Perimeter frame, it loves cornering even more.

The engine does come alive at higher RPMs. The lower rev range can work for commuters, but the torque and the power still exist at the top revs.

Interestingly enough, the suspension setup gets a more plush feel.

This is especially surprising since USD forks tend to lean more on the stiffer side. However, the Bajaj Pulsar NS setup does quite the opposite.

So much so that the rear suspension feels comparatively stiffer than the front one.

That is all I could gather in my short experience with the new NS 160. Nevertheless, we will be riding the new NS 160 extensively for the Full Review.

Hopefully, we can dig a bit deeper there.

Additional Details

33mm USD Telescopic Fork and Nitrox Mono Shock handle suspension duties.

It gets a Steel Perimeter Frame with a Box Section Swingarm.

The dimensions are 2017 mm in length, 804 mm in width, and 1060 mm in height. Moreover, the wheelbase is 1372mm.

There is no change in overall dimensions.

Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 still gets a 170mm ground clearance. However, the kerb weight has been increased to 152kg in the BS6 iteration.

Like before, it comes with Dual Disc braking. However, Bajaj has updated the overall braking configuration.

NS 160 sports a segment-leading Dual-Channel ABS. Moreover, the front disc size has increased to 300mm.

Features

We will talk about these features in detail in the Full Review. Until then, here is a complete list of features in the new Bajaj Pulsar NS 160.

Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 Feature Highlights

• Perimeter Frame
• USD Telescopic Front Forks with Nitrox Rear Monoshock
• Twin-Spark 160cc DTS-I Engine
• Dual Disc Brakes
• Single-Channel ABS / Dual-Channel ABS
• Sporty Naked Sports Design
• Twin-Projector Headlamp
• Twin-LED Tail Lamp
• Wider Tubeless Alloy Wheels
• Under Belly Exhaust
• Engine Cowl
• Clip-On Handlebars
• Blue Back-lit Lights
• Updated Analog Digital Instrument Cluster

Conclusion

Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 had an identity crisis after the introduction of the Pulsar N160.

If Bajaj Auto had left the Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 without any updates, it would have been the nail in the coffin.

Fortunately, that is not the case.

The newer updates significantly improve the value of the NS 160. It comes across as an NS 200 package but with a 160cc engine.

It is important to note that the update looks good on paper.

That is what we will tackle in our Full Review. Our brief introduction to the newest Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 looks promising.

Hopefully, it will continue to provide that experience throughout the review.