Bajaj has introduced a number of new motorcycles under the Pulsar banner over the years, with the most recent ones being the NS, RS and AS models. However, the brand still enjoys considerable success from traditional Pulsars, like the 150, 180 and 220 DTSis. Though, there is one segment where Bajaj hasn't managed huge numbers – the premium 150-160cc category. In this segment, Yamaha regularly ships upwards of 20,000 units of the FZ-FI per month, while other rivals like Honda and Suzuki are also seeing success with their offerings, the CB Hornet 160R and the Gixxer, respectively. Bajaj needs a rival to these motorcycles that fits between the traditional Pulsar 150/180 and the more expensive NS200. This is where the new NS160 comes in; it doesn't replace the smaller Pulsar 150, but is positioned ahead of it.

Design and style

The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 shares the style of its bigger brother, the NS200, and that means handsome lines, an underslung exhaust and split grab rails. Colour options are not disclosed yet, but we do like the Grey-Black combination on the bike recently spied at a dealership. It's a similar theme to the BS-IV compliant 2017 NS200 that went on sale a few months earlier. Overall, the Pulsar NS160, aside from the new colour scheme, will cut a handsome, yet familiar shape. Looks play an important role in this segment and the NS160 will certainly be up to the challenge. We'll have to spend some time with the bike to see if it can meet the quality and finish of benchmark-setting rivals like the Yamaha FZ.

Engines and performance

While it looks familiar, the NS160 uses a new 160cc mill that has been specially built for it. The figures mentioned here are from Bajaj's global site, but we expect the India-spec model to have very similar numbers. Bajaj's new 160cc motor is oil-cooled and is the only one here to run a four-valve head. Power output stands at 15.5hp at 8,500rpm and 14.6Nm at 6,500rpm. These numbers make it the most powerful of these four and second only to the Honda in terms of torque, making just 0.16Nm less as the same rpm. Interestingly, the NS160 makes less power but more torque than the air-cooled engine from the now discontinued AS150. It is more powerful than the 14hp/13.4Nm Pulsar 150, and while it does fall short of the Pulsar 180's 17.02Nm, it offers slightly more torque. The FZ-FI makes the lowest numbers but is the only one to come with fuel injection. The global Bajaj site doesn't specify what gearbox the NS 160 will run but we suspect it will be a five-speed unit, like in the AS 150.