Bajaj Pulsar N160

The sporty 160cc segment has been growing in numbers over the past several years and the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V has been the most popular bike in the segment. Bajaj has launched the Pulsar N160 to provide tough competition in the segment. So, let’s take a look at how it fares below:

Design

The N160 smoothly adopts the look and feel of the N250, sharing identical features, colours, and bodywork. The only noticeable distinctions lie in the 'N160' stickers, the use of bulb indicators instead of LEDs, and of course, the presence of a smaller engine.

Engine, Performance and Mileage

The figures of 16PS and 14.7Nm hardly capture how good the 164.8cc Bajaj engine is. 

The engine is torquey and offers a street-friendly riding experience. The motor's impressive tractability allows for smooth acceleration from speeds as low as 25kmph when slotted into fifth gear. The Pulsar's flat torque curve ensures that the 14.7Nm of torque is almost consistently available in a wide rev-range.

While it may not go off like a rocket when the throttle is opened, it excels in maintaining a relaxed riding nature. This effortless riding experience is paired with an highly refined engine, nearly matching the levels offered by the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V.

The Pulsar N160’s well-spaced gearing ensures excellent mileage. The N160 showed mileage figures of 59.11kmpl in our tests. That’s better than both the Bajaj Pulsar 150 and the Apache RTR 160 4V.

Despite its good mileage, this motor is far from dull. It feels lively, reaching 100kmph reasonably quickly. It maintains a cruising speed of 85-90kmph and can sustain slightly higher speeds too. However, at these higher speeds, the motor tends to become louder.

Ride and Handling

The new engine sits inside the same tubular steel frame as the Pulsar N250. It uses identical components, including the 37mm telescopic fork, gas-charged preload-adjustable monoshock, brakes, and tires. As a result, the sensation from the rider's seat is quite familiar.

Pulsars have always been able to provide the joy of effortless and sporty handling, and the N160 maintains that. When approaching a bend, it effortlessly allows the rider to choose the ideal line. The chassis allows the rider to be confident while handling high speeds and achieving good lean angles with ease. The mid-corner stability is particularly impressive, even in challenging riding conditions.

Credit is also due to the MRF Nylogrip Zapper tyres, which perform well by maintaining traction and stability without any noticeable jitteriness.

The braking performance is impressive as well. While the initial bite could be more aggressive, the N160 still comes to a halt effectively. The lever feedback is precise, allowing the rider to modulate the braking force with ease.

A standout feature of the Pulsar N160 is the dual-channel ABS that works quite well in the real world, stopping the bike safely and effectively. It’s impressive that Bajaj offered a dual-channel unit in a segment of bikes that mostly have only single-channel ABS.

Comfort

By using identical components as the N250 in the same configuration, the N160 falls short of our expectations in terms of absorbing the bumps and potholes on our roads. This is because of the monoshock setting, finely tuned for the N250's weight. It is very sensitive, especially over the sharpest bumps, potentially unsettling the rider.

When riding with a pillion, this tendency to bounce is balanced out considerably. While the ride remains comfortable, we hope that Bajaj considers a slightly different spring rate or suspension tune for solo riders. 

Features

The Bajaj Pulsar N160 gets a semi-digital instrument console that displays the gear indicator, clock, fuel economy and range indicator among other regular readouts. It also gets all-LED lighting and a USB charging point. And that’s pretty much the features list of the 160cc naked bike, which is a bit disappointing considering the range of features available in its rivals. The biggest miss here is the inclusion of turn-by-turn navigation, which would have made city commutes easier.

Should You Buy The Bajaj Pulsar N160?

This compact Pulsar brings freshness into the 160cc segment. It offers a refined riding experience, and the engine offers a good balance of performance and mileage. If you’re looking for a sporty everyday 160cc commuter that can also handle a bit of weekend rides, the Bajaj Pulsar N160 is a great choice.