Spec-sheet shootout: Bajaj Pulsar NS160 vs rivals

There’s hardly one premium commuter segment where Bajaj doesn’t offer a Pulsar. The latest addition to the Pulsar range comes in the form of the NS160, a street naked that will take on popular bikes like the Suzuki Gixxer, the Honda Hornet and the Yamaha FZ. It slots between the Pulsar 150 and the 180 siblings, and looks almost identical to the NS200. Here’s how its numbers stack up against the competition.

Design and style
Bikes in the 150-160cc premium commuter space are a lot about muscular styling and bold appeal. They offer that all-important stand-out factor while being everyday machines. With looks and styling akin to the costlier NS200, the Pulsar NS160 is quite a unique and handsome motorcycle. In terms of style and appeal, it could very well match brawny bikes like the Gixxer and the Hornet. However, only a test ride can verify if quality, fit and finish are on par with the competition.
 

Engines and performance
Powering the NS160 is a new oil-cooled, 160.3cc engine that uses a four-valve head; the competition uses a two-valve cylinder head. This motor makes 15.5hp and 14.6Nm of peak power and torque, and is the most powerful motor among the four bikes here. The Yamaha is the only bike here to get a fuel injected engine, but its motor makes the smallest numbers – 13.2hp and 12.8Nm. The Honda CB Hornet, meanwhile, has the strongest power-to-weight ratio.

Chassis and brakes
Where the Gixxer, the FZ and the Hornet use traditional, diamond-type frames, the NS160 is built around a beefier steel perimeter frame. The Pulsar’s 80/100 R17 front and a 110/80 R17 rear tyres are slimmer than what the rivals offer; the rest offer 100-section front and 140-section rear tyres. Front disc brakes are standard on all bikes, while only the Honda and the Suzuki get an optional rear disc brake. As of now, there’s no news of Bajaj offering a rear disc brake on the NS160.

Pricing
At ₹79,676, the base variant of the Suzuki Gixxer undercuts all its rivals, while its rear disc-brake-equipped variant is priced at  ₹82,779. It’s neck and neck between the Pulsar NS160 (Rs 82,400) and the Yamaha FZ-FI (Rs 82,300), while at ₹84,994 - ₹89,533, the Hornet is the costliest in the lot. These prices are likely to see a slight revision after GST rules come into effect after July 1.

All prices are ex-showroom, Pune.