Bajaj Pulsar NS160 mileage and running cost

Pulsar NS160's claimed mileage is 52.2 kmpl. Owners and our own riding put the real figure between 41 and 46 kmpl, roughly 17% 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 11th for mileage, 10 kmpl above the group average of 42 kmpl.

At Delhi's petrol price of ₹94.80 a litre and a real-world 43.5 kmpl, the Pulsar NS160 costs about ₹2.18 per km in fuel. Ride 30 km a day and that is roughly ₹1,700 a month, or ₹20,398 a year, before servicing.

The 12-litre tank gives a realistic range of about 522 km, so a 30 km commute means a fill-up every 2 weeks.

Spread over five years and 46,800 km, the Pulsar NS160 works out to about ₹6.1 per km all-in, of which 36% is fuel and 52% is the purchase price itself. Resale value is not counted; a nameplate this established holds value well.

The quickest wins for the Pulsar NS160: keep tyres at the recommended pressure (under-inflation by 5 psi can cost 2–3 kmpl), shift up early and avoid idling at long signals.

Short trips hurt most. A cold engine on a 2 km run can return half its normal mileage; if that is your use, expect the low end of the real-world band.

Service on time. A clogged air filter or old spark plug shows up in mileage before it shows up anywhere else.