Bajaj Pulsar N160 Gains New Single-Seat Variant

Bajaj Auto has silently rolled out a new variant of the Pulsar N160. It is the new base trim that costs  ₹1.23 lakh (ex-showroom price, UP) making it almost ₹9,000 more affordable than the earlier base-spec Pulsar N160 variant. The major difference that will be there on the sporty commuter is the single piece seat and the absence of a more advanced digital console.

Yes, the N160 now gets a single piece seat variant, Bajaj’s habit of ditching the split seats for a base model continuing here as well. Furthermore, the full digital console is the same as the one on the Pulsar N150. Hence, you will not get turn-by-turn navigation or ABS modes here but it will show call and SMS alerts.

Beyond these additions, the rest of the bike is essentially the same. It looks the same and carries forward the same colour options. Even the graphic design looks the same as before. The only minute difference is with the grab handlebar which is now a simpler, single-piece unit, instead of a split design. Eitherway, the body panels have remained the same too, right from the LED headlight to the tail light, and even the halogen unit LED DRLs. 

The bike continues to be powered by the 164.82 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that is good for 15.78 bhp and 14.65 Nm. The engine comes paired with a 5-speed gearbox. We have experienced this engine and its performance feels at best when ridden in cities. But on the highway, it lacks that punch that you would ideally require to overtake other vehicles. 

We don’t quite think that Bajaj will be making this trim available in all parts of the country. The Pune-based bikemaker has developed a knack of making region-specific models that will yield better results and this too is in the same zone. Hence, the single piece Pulsar N160 might not make it to states where sportiness is appreciated highly.