Pulsar N160 vs Pulsar NS160: Engine and Gearbox
New Bajaj Pulsar N160 Powered by a 164.8cc engine with a two-valve head, while the NS160 is powered by a 160.3cc engine with a four-valve head. There is also a slight difference in the power figures. The NS is slightly more powerful, with 17.2 hp, compared to the N’s 16 hp. However, the torque remains the same at 14.65 Nm for the N and 14.6 Nm for the NS.
The N160 produces peak power and torque at 8,750 rpm in the first rev range and 6,750 for torque. The NS160 delivers peak power at 9,000 rpm and peak torque at 7,250 rpm. Both engines have a single overhead cam and are air- and oil-cooled, and are mated to a five-speed gearbox.
Pulsar N160 vs Pulsar NS160: Features and Devices
The N160 gets a single-downtube frame, while the NS160 sports a perimeter frame. The N160 comes with chunkier tyres, but that means it is 152 kg heavier than the NS160 for the single-channel ABS variant and 154 kg for the dual-channel ABS variant.
Bajaj Pulsar N160 First Ride Review
The NS160, on the other hand, weighs 151 kg but only offers a single-channel ABS option. In fact, the N160 is the only bike in this segment to get dual-channel ABS. The N’s brakes are also larger with 300 mm or 280 mm discs up front (based on the ABS variant) and 230 mm at the rear. The NS gets 260mm at the top and 230mm at the rear.
The N160 is more in line with the times with an LED projector headlamp, a USB charging port and a new semi-digital instrument cluster from the Pulsar 250 lineup. The N also has a gear position indicator which the NS misses out.
Pulsar N160 vs Pulsar NS160: Price
1,22,854 for both the NS160 and N160 single-channel ABS variants. The dual-channel ABS N160 demands a premium of Rs 5,000 over the lower variant at Rs 1,27,853. Now the question arises which one to choose and why.
While the NS160 is more powerful and lighter, the N160 compensates for the disadvantages by way of delivering a flatter torque curve. On our recent outing on the N160, the bike provided a very smooth ride in the city. Also, the N160 looks sportier and sharper, and a dual-channel ABS is an added advantage that the N offers if the budget can be increased to just Rs 5,000. If it is only a traveling horse, the NS160 will be a good choice, but on the other hand, the N160 will make up for the lack of performance.