Bajaj Pulsar NS 160: The Indian motorcycle market has witnessed a remarkable evolution over the past two decades. From basic commuters that prioritized fuel efficiency above all else, we’ve transitioned to an era where performance, styling, and technological sophistication drive consumer choices.
Standing tall amid this transformation is a name that has become synonymous with accessible performance—Bajaj Pulsar. Among the expansive Pulsar lineup, the NS 160 occupies a sweet spot that merits closer examination.
Neither too mild to be dismissed as just another commuter nor too wild to intimidate novice riders, the NS 160 represents a thoughtful balance that deserves recognition.
Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 The Evolution of Pulsar DNA
To understand the NS 160’s significance, we must first appreciate the evolutionary journey of the Pulsar brand. When the original Pulsar burst onto the scene in 2001, it revolutionized the Indian motorcycle landscape.
With its muscular tank, distinctive twin-strip headlamp, and punchy performance, it created an entirely new segment—the affordable performance motorcycle.
Indian riders, long accustomed to choosing between sedate commuters and prohibitively expensive imports, suddenly had access to exhilarating performance without breaking the bank.
The NS (Naked Sport) sub-brand emerged in 2012 with the NS 200, drawing inspiration from KTM’s naked offerings—unsurprising given Bajaj’s strategic partnership with the Austrian marque.
The NS models represented a design and engineering philosophy distinct from the traditional Pulsar lineup: perimeter frames replaced the conventional cradle frames, liquid cooling supplanted air cooling, and the overall aesthetic embraced a more European-inspired naked streetfighter look.
The NS 160, introduced in 2017, was designed to bring this NS philosophy to a more accessible displacement category. It wasn’t merely a downsized NS 200; Bajaj engineers reworked the entire package to suit the character expected from a 160cc motorcycle while retaining the NS family’s performance-oriented DNA.
Design Language: Function with Flair
The NS 160’s design strikes a delicate balance between aggression and accessibility. The motorcycle features sharp, angular bodywork that creates a sense of forward motion even at standstill.
The muscular fuel tank (capacity 12 liters) with its pronounced knee recesses allows for better ergonomic integration between rider and machine. The belly pan adds to the sporty aesthetic while also providing some protection to the engine from road debris.
Up front, the wolf-eye headlamp assembly provides adequate illumination while maintaining familial resemblance to the larger NS 200. The rear section is minimalist yet purposeful, with a sleek tail lamp unit and a compact tail tidy that houses the license plate and turn indicators.
What’s particularly commendable about the NS 160’s design is how it avoids the excessive plastic cladding and unnecessary graphics that often plague motorcycles in this segment.
The exposed perimeter frame, painted in contrasting colors, becomes an integral part of the visual appeal, highlighting the motorcycle’s structural engineering rather than hiding it behind panels.
The fit and finish quality deserves special mention—panel gaps are consistent, paint quality is excellent, and the switchgear, while not premium, operates with satisfying tactile feedback. It’s evident that the design team prioritized creating a cohesive package rather than a collection of eye-catching but disjointed elements.
Powerplant: Heart of the Matter
At the core of any motorcycle’s character lies its engine, and the NS 160 houses a noteworthy powerplant. The 160.3cc, oil-cooled, single-cylinder engine with DTS-i (Digital Twin Spark ignition) technology produces 17.2 PS at 9,000 RPM and 14.6 Nm of torque at 7,250 RPM. These numbers, while not class-leading on paper, don’t tell the complete story of how this engine performs in real-world conditions.
The engine architecture itself merits discussion. Unlike many competitors that employ 2-valve designs, the NS 160 features a 4-valve head that allows better breathing at higher RPMs while also improving combustion efficiency.
The oil cooling system represents a thoughtful middle ground between simpler air cooling and more complex liquid cooling, providing adequate thermal management without adding excessive weight or complexity.
The DTS-i technology—Bajaj’s proprietary twin-spark system—ensures more complete combustion, resulting in better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions without compromising performance. The engine is paired with a 5-speed transmission that offers precise shifts with a short throw between gears.
What truly sets this powertrain apart, however, is its character. Unlike some engines that require wringing out to access their performance, the NS 160’s motor delivers usable power throughout the rev range.
There’s meaningful torque available from as low as 3,000 RPM, making city riding effortless, yet the engine remains willing to rev, with a noticeable surge past 6,000 RPM that rewards more aggressive riding.
The exhaust note deserves mention too—a deep, throaty growl that manages to sound purposeful without becoming intrusive or tiresome on longer rides. It’s a sonic signature that adds to the riding experience without drawing unwanted attention.
Chassis and Dynamics: The Foundation of Confidence
The NS 160’s handling prowess stems from its foundation—a perimeter frame that provides exceptional torsional rigidity while keeping weight centralized.
This chassis design, more commonly found on higher-displacement motorcycles, gives the NS 160 a level of stability and precision that stands out in its segment.
The suspension components complement this excellent frame. Up front, a 33mm telescopic fork with 130mm travel handles road imperfections with composed competence.
The rear features a monoshock with Nitrox technology, offering 110mm of wheel travel and preload adjustability. This setup strikes a commendable balance between comfort and handling—firm enough to provide feedback during spirited cornering yet compliant enough to absorb the worst of Indian road conditions.
Braking duties are handled by a 240mm disc up front with a single-piston caliper and a 230mm rear disc. The inclusion of single-channel ABS enhances safety without driving up costs excessively.
The braking setup provides good stopping power with progressive feel, allowing riders to modulate brake pressure intuitively. That said, a more premium dual-channel ABS system would have been welcome for those who ride in varied conditions.
The NS 160 rides on 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 80/100 front and 110/80 rear tires. While these aren’t the widest rubber available in the segment, the tire compound offers a good compromise between grip and longevity. More importantly, the slim profile contributes to the motorcycle’s agility, allowing for quick direction changes with minimal effort.
Ergonomics: The Human-Machine Interface
Where many motorcycles in this segment either commit fully to a committed sport riding position or a completely upright commuter stance, the NS 160 strikes a thoughtful middle ground.
The relatively flat handlebar is positioned to place the rider in a slightly forward-leaning posture without putting undue weight on the wrists.
The seat height of 805mm makes it accessible to riders of varying statures, while the narrow midsection allows for easy foot placement when stopped.
The seat itself deserves praise—firm enough to provide support during spirited riding yet padded adequately for hour-long commutes without discomfort. The pillion seat, though not expansive, offers sufficient space and comfort for a second rider on shorter journeys.
The footpeg position completes this ergonomic triangle, placed neither too forward nor too rear-set, allowing for both comfortable cruising and enthusiastic cornering when the mood strikes.
This thoughtful ergonomic package makes the NS 160 as suitable for the daily urban commute as it is for the occasional weekend blast along winding roads.
The Riding Experience: More Than the Sum of Its Parts
Technical specifications can only tell us so much; it’s the holistic riding experience that truly defines a motorcycle’s character. Thumb the starter, and the NS 160 comes to life with a purposeful growl that settles into a smooth idle. Release the light clutch, and the motorcycle pulls away with surprising eagerness, even from low RPMs.
In urban environments, the NS 160 reveals its practical nature. The engine’s flexible power delivery means less frequent gear changes in stop-and-go traffic.
The nimble handling makes lane-filtering (where legal) a breeze, while the upright riding position provides good visibility of surrounding traffic. The brakes inspire confidence with their progressive nature, allowing for precise modulation in unpredictable urban scenarios.
Take the NS 160 to open roads, and its sporting pretensions come to the fore. The engine spins up eagerly, delivering a satisfying surge of acceleration as the tachometer needle sweeps past the midrange.
The chassis remains composed even when pushed hard into corners, exhibiting excellent stability under braking and predictable handling when leaned over.
Perhaps most impressive is how the NS 160 makes its performance accessible. It’s a motorcycle that flatters its rider, providing enough excitement to satisfy experienced hands while remaining forgiving of novice mistakes.
This approachability, combined with genuine performance credentials, creates a motorcycle that riders can grow with rather than grow out of.
Market Positioning and Competition
The NS 160 occupies an interesting position in the highly competitive 150-160cc segment. It goes head-to-head with established competitors like the Honda X-Blade, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, and Suzuki Gixxer.
Each of these motorcycles brings its own strengths to the table: the Apache offers slightly more power, the Gixxer boasts refined engineering, and the Honda provides the reassurance of the wing’s reliability reputation.
What distinguishes the NS 160 in this crowded field is its combination of a perimeter frame and oil-cooled 4-valve engine—a technical package that outclasses most of its direct rivals.
The streetfighter styling also gives it a visual distinctiveness that stands apart from the increasingly homogenized aesthetic of the segment.
Pricing positions the NS 160 as a premium offering without being prohibitively expensive—a sweet spot that has historically worked well for the Pulsar brand. This pricing strategy attracts buyers who prioritize performance and technical sophistication over absolute value for money.
Ownership Perspective: The Long-Term Relationship
Beyond the immediate riding experience, the NS 160 offers several advantages for the long-term owner. Bajaj’s extensive service network ensures that maintenance and repairs are convenient and affordable.
Parts availability is excellent, and the uncomplicated nature of the oil-cooled engine means that routine maintenance doesn’t require specialized tools or expertise.
Fuel efficiency, a crucial consideration in the Indian context, is impressive for a performance-oriented 160cc motorcycle. Owners report real-world figures of 40-45 kmpl in mixed riding conditions—respectable numbers that make the NS 160 practical for daily use despite its sporting capabilities.
Reliability has proven solid, with few owners reporting significant issues. The engine’s undersquare design (bore smaller than stroke) contributes to longevity, as it typically results in less wear on cylinder walls over time compared to oversquare configurations.
Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 Conclusion: A Thoughtfully Balanced Package
The Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 represents a thoughtful synthesis of performance, practicality, and value—three attributes that often exist in opposition to each other. It succeeds not by excelling dramatically in any single area but by offering a well-rounded package with no significant weaknesses.
For the young professional seeking a motorcycle that can handle the weekday commute while providing weekend thrills, the NS 160 makes a compelling case.
For the enthusiast on a budget who appreciates engineering substance over marketing flash, it offers technical sophistication typically found only in more expensive machinery.
The NS 160 embodies what has made the Pulsar brand enduringly successful—the democratization of performance. It continues the tradition of making motorcycling excitement accessible to the masses without compromising on the fundamental attributes that define a quality motorcycle.
In a market increasingly segmented between bare-bones commuters and aspirational premium offerings, the NS 160 occupies an important middle ground.
It reminds us that thoughtful engineering and balanced design can create a motorcycle greater than the sum of its parts—a machine that satisfies both the practical requirements of daily transportation and the emotional desire for two-wheeled excitement.
That, perhaps, is the NS 160’s greatest achievement: it doesn’t force riders to choose between the motorcycle they need and the motorcycle they want. It offers both in a single, cohesive package.