Bajaj
Bajaj Pulsar N160
The most sensible way into the Pulsar family.
In short
The Bajaj Pulsar N160 is a 164cc street bike with dual-channel ABS, USD forks and a torquey oil-cooled engine, priced well under the Yamaha and KTM alternatives.
- Engine
- 165 cc
- Power
- 15.7 bhp
- Claimed mileage
- 45 kmpl
- Kerb weight
- 152 kg
What works
- Strong mid-range, relaxed at 80–90 km/h
- Dual-channel ABS and USD forks at this price is rare
- Big 14-litre tank, comfortable seat
- Bajaj service network is everywhere
What doesn't
- Heavier than the Apache and MT-15
- 5-speed gearbox feels one gear short on highways
- Plastic quality is average
Best for: Upgrading from a 125, Highway commutes, Value-focused buyers
Price and variants
Ex-showroom Delhi. On-road estimate for Delhi; other cities on the price page.
The Pulsar N160 is sold in 2 variants, from ₹1,22,000 for the Single Channel ABS to ₹1,32,000 for the Dual Channel ABS, ex-showroom Delhi. The extra ₹10,000 buys dual-channel abs, usd forks and bluetooth console.
That makes it priced 16th lowest among the 75 sports bikes we have reviewed. Its closest price rivals are the Pulsar 180 (₹925 more) and the FZS V4 (₹1,598 less).
On the road in Delhi, budget about ₹1.42 Lakh for the base variant once 8% Delhi road tax, registration and five-year third-party insurance are added. Dealers often quote higher by bundling accessories, extended warranty and handling charges; all three are negotiable.
| Variant | Ex-showroom | Rough EMI |
|---|---|---|
Single Channel ABS Single-channel ABS · LED headlamp | ₹1,22,000 | |
Dual Channel ABS Dual-channel ABS · USD forks · Bluetooth console | ₹1,32,000 |
Mileage
Pulsar N160's claimed mileage is 45 kmpl. Owners and our own riding put the real figure between 38 and 45 kmpl, roughly 8% under the brochure number, which is typical once traffic, a pillion and short trips are factored in.
Among the 67 sports bikes we have reviewed it ranks 24th for mileage, 3 kmpl above the group average of 42 kmpl.
Engine and ride
The 165cc oil-cooled engine makes 15.7 bhp and 14.65 Nm through a 5-speed. With a kerb weight of 152 kg that is 103 bhp per tonne, 56th best power-to-weight of the 73 bikes in this class we have reviewed.
The torque and power figures are well balanced, so it neither needs to be revved hard nor feels lazy when you do.
Chassis hardware includes USD front forks, a rear monoshock and dual-channel ABS, with a 300 mm disc up front and 230 mm disc at the rear.
At 795 mm the seat is average for the class; most riders from 5'5" up will be comfortable at stops.
Our review
Riding impressions and the buying advice a spec sheet cannot give.
Verdict
The Pulsar N160 is the bike for someone who wants a 160 that behaves like a grown-up. It is not the fastest or the lightest in its class, but it is the most complete package for the money.
Riding it every day
The 165cc oil-cooled single makes 15.7 bhp and, more importantly, 14.65 Nm of torque that arrives early. In the city you can leave it in third and ride the torque. On the highway it sits at 85–90 km/h without strain, though a sixth gear would help at three-digit speeds. Expect 42–47 kmpl in mixed use.
The Dual Channel ABS variant gets 37 mm USD forks, and they transform the front end over rough roads compared with the base bike's conventional forks. Braking from the 300 mm front disc is strong and the dual-channel ABS is calibrated for Indian roads: it lets you brake hard without cutting in too early.
What to know before buying
At 152 kg it is noticeably heavier than a Yamaha MT-15 or TVS Apache 160, and you feel it when pushing it around a parking lot. The upside is stability with a pillion and luggage. Pay the ₹10,000 for the dual-channel variant; the ABS and forks are worth far more than that.
Who should buy it
Riders stepping up from a 125 who do a mix of city and highway, carry a pillion often, and want a bike that will be cheap to service for a decade.
Features and colours
- Dual-channel ABS
- Single-channel ABS
- USD front forks
- Rear monoshock
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Digital console
- LED headlamp
- Alloy wheels
- Tubeless tyres
- Side-stand engine cut-off
- +1 more
On safety kit the Pulsar N160 has dual-channel abs, single-channel abs, tubeless tyres and side-stand engine cut-off. Dual-channel ABS is the one item on this list worth paying for if it is variant-dependent.
Against Raider 125 or MT-15 V2, it gets single-channel abs that most rivals skip.
What it lacks: front disc brake, colour tft console, turn-by-turn navigation and ride modes, which rivals at this price offer. The safety items in that list matter more than the console.
It is offered in 4 colours: Caribbean Blue, Pewter Grey, Cocktail Wine Red and Fusion White. Colour availability varies by variant and dealer stock.
Warranty, service and ownership
Standard warranty is 5 years or 75,000 km. After the free services, the recommended interval is every 5,000 km.
Bajaj runs one of the largest sales and service network in India, at roughly 5,000 touchpoints. Spares and a mechanic who knows the model are rarely far away.
On sale since 2022, the Pulsar N160 is established enough that early production issues have been worked through and used examples give a fair read on resale.
Pulsar N160: questions people ask
- What is the price of the Bajaj Pulsar N160?
- The Pulsar N160 costs between ₹1,22,000 and ₹1,32,000 ex-showroom Delhi across 2 variants, as of September 2026. On-road price adds road tax, registration and insurance and varies by state.
- What is the on-road price of the Pulsar N160 in Delhi?
- Roughly ₹1.42 Lakh for the base variant in Delhi: ₹1,22,000 ex-showroom plus ₹9,760 road tax, ₹1,100 registration and about ₹9,565 insurance. This is an estimate; dealer quotes include handling and accessories.
- What is the mileage of the Pulsar N160?
- Claimed mileage is 45 kmpl. Owners typically see 38–45 kmpl in mixed city and highway riding.
- How much does the Pulsar N160 cost to run per month?
- Fuel works out to about ₹2.28 per km in Delhi, so a 30 km daily commute costs roughly ₹1,782 a month before servicing.
- What is the EMI for the Pulsar N160?
- With 10% down, a 36-month loan at 9.5% on the base variant comes to about ₹3,870 a month. A shorter tenure raises the EMI but cuts total interest; see the EMI calculator on the price page.
- What is the engine capacity and power of the Pulsar N160?
- It uses a 165cc engine producing 15.7 bhp and 14.65 Nm, with a 5-speed.
- Is the Pulsar N160 suitable for short riders?
- Mostly. Seat height is 795 mm, which suits riders from about 5'5". Shorter riders should sit on one at the showroom.
- Pulsar N160 or Raider 125: which is better?
- The Raider 125 is ₹35,000 less expensive to start and more efficient at 56 kmpl against 45 kmpl. Pick the Pulsar N160 for upgrading from a 125, the Raider 125 for young riders. Our side-by-side comparison covers every spec.
- Which bikes are cheaper than the Pulsar N160?
- Among the 75 sports bikes we have reviewed, the Pulsar 125 (₹93,507), the Apache RTR 160 (₹1.11 Lakh), the Apache RTR 160 4V (₹1.16 Lakh) start lower.
- Is the single-channel ABS variant unsafe compared to the dual-channel one?
- No, single-channel ABS on the front wheel still prevents the most dangerous kind of crash — a locked front wheel in a panic stop. The dual-channel version adds rear-wheel ABS and USD forks, which help most on wet roads or hard braking from higher speed, but the base variant is not unsafe.
- Can the Pulsar N160 comfortably do 300+ km highway rides?
- Yes, the 14-litre tank and torquey engine make it one of the better highway commuters in its class, and most riders find the seat comfortable for 100–150 km stretches. The 5-speed gearbox does feel like it wants a taller sixth gear at sustained 90+ km/h, so expect slightly higher revs than a 6-speed rival.
Pulsar N160 vs its rivals
Around ₹1.22 Lakh
Other bikes and scooters within 20% of the Pulsar N160's starting price.
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Before you buy
Pulsar N160 from
₹1.22 Lakh