Does the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 live up to the hype?

Question

The sporty looks and peppy performance had made the Pulsar NS160 a game changer in 160cc segment. Online, however, there's been a lot of debate as to whether it lives up to the marketing claims. It’s been praised by some riders for its handling and power delivery, and castigated by others as overpriced compared to competitors. The bike's styling is polarizing, with some loving the aggressive nature and some others disliking the busyness. The build quality and long term reliability are also matters of mixed opinions. This makes it hard to tell whether the NS160 is actually a good buy or just all hype. Now let’s hear from some NS160 owners and enthusiasts with some real world perspectives.

Akshat · Accepted Answer

I’ve had both the NS160 and its bigger brother, the NS200. The 160 is good, but I feel like it is sort of stuck in a weird spot. It’s neither as fuel efficient as smaller commuters, nor as exciting as 200cc+ bikes. If you have the extra money to stretch your budget, you will get a lot more bang for your buck with the NS200.

Barun · Answer

Coming from a 100cc commuter the NS160 was a huge step up. It’s smooth power delivery and it has enough grunt for overtakes. And the dual channel ABS is reassuring in the wet. It’s not perfect, but for a young rider this is a great first sports bike.

Charu · Answer

The NS160 is honestly a bit too overhyped. Don't get me wrong, it's a good bike, but there are better bikes in the market now. As far as performance is concerned, Yamaha FZ-S and Honda X Blade perform on similar lines, but in terms of build quality the later is better. The NS160’s USP was its sporty character, but rivals have caught up since.

Monalisa · Answer

I believe the NS160 finds a nice middle ground between performance and practicality. The unit is not the fastest in its class, but is versatile enough for use on weekday commutes and weekend rides. It also gets great stability in corners thanks to its perimeter frame. Only wish Bajaj improves their after sales service.

Varun · Answer

Having been a mechanic I have worked on a lot of NS160s. Decent bikes, but I've seen some QC issues. Over time the plastics rattle, and some electrical niggles pop up. If you are getting one, you had better follow the service schedule that religiously.

Kuldeep · Answer

I test rode the NS160 and wasn’t impressed meh. At higher revs the engine felt vibey, and the saddle became uncomfortable for long rides. At this price I would prefer to buy TVS Apache RTR 160 4V since it has better refinement and features.

Sana · Answer

It’s been a blast and I’ve had my NS160 over a year now. In city traffic it's super nimble and it has enough punch for highway rides too. Yes, it’s a little bit more expensive than other 160cc bikes, but I think the whole package is worth it. It turns heads wherever I go with the sporty looks.

Does the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 live up to the hype?

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