2024 Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z

It had been a long wait but the NS lineup finally got its flagship motorcycle in 2024. With aggressive pricing, the Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z becomes the most affordable motorcycle in the 400cc segment. The bike shares its engine and chassis with the Dominar 400 and is wrapped in sharp ‘NS’ streetfighter styling. It is a bike that will appeal to many young enthusiasts as it offers a lot of performance and features for a very tempting price tag of Rs 1.85 lakh (ex-showroom).

The bike has been around for almost a year now and has even received some major updates in 2025. I spent a good amount of time with the bike last year and even got to ride it at Bajaj’s test track in Chakan to bring you a detailed review. 

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Design  

From afar, the styling of the NS400Z is similar to the NS200 but there are a couple of distinguishing elements; it gets a LED projector headlight with Z-shaped DRLs, panel extensions, larger radiator shrouds, an updated belly pan, and mirrors from the Dominar 400 that give it a slightly chunkier look and feel. Compared to the clip-on handlebars on the NS200, the NS400Z gets a taller and wider handlebar, which I feel suits the character of a naked bike much better. 

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Colours

The bike is being offered in four colour schemes with new NS graphics. They include Glossy Racing Red, Brooklyn Black, Pewter Grey, and Pearl Metallic White. The Pewter Grey colour option is my personal favourite as it stands apart with the yellow graphics and wheel rim stickers. While this design language is sleek, sharp, and appreciated by many, I would have liked to see something that properly set this NS400Z apart from all of the other bikes in the NS range.

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Build Quality

Keeping the cost of the bike in mind, I have to say that the build quality is commendable. Bajaj has done a good job and the bike feels solid with good fitting of the panels and the overall quality of parts. The switchgear is not the most premium in the segment, but again, can not complain, considering the price point. 

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Convenience Features

The Pulsar NS400Z gets a fully digital LCD display with a dot matrix inset, and gets Bluetooth connectivity via the Bajaj Ride Connect app. The screen displays call/SMS alerts, turn-by-turn navigation, trip meters, a gear position indicator, fuel consumption data, and more.

You also get a ride-by-wire with four riding modes including Rain, Road, Sport, and Off-road, each altering the throttle map and ABS intrusion level. The switchgear includes four-way buttons on the left side to navigate through various functions but these buttons are not very tactile and are a little difficult to press with gloves on. Additionally, it also gets a USB charging port, 5-step adjustable brake and clutch levers, hazard lights, and auto-cancelling indicators. The 2025 model is said to have received a quickshifter as standard which will make the riding experience even more engaging.

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Safety Features

The Pulsar NS400Z comes equipped with dual-channel ABS and switchable traction control. The traction control is tuned well and provides a good safety net for inexperienced riders. Traction Control can be switched off in Sport and Off-road mode so experienced riders can switch it off if they prefer. Depending on the ride-mode being used, the ABS is also calibrated differently, making it friendly across different surfaces. For the price, Bajaj has delivered quite a comprehensive safety feature list.

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Rider Comfort

The seat height of the NS400Z stands at 805mm, making it 2mm lower than the seat on the NS200. The footpegs are rear set just like the NS200 for a sporty riding position. With my height of 5 '7, I was just about able to flat foot to the ground. What I really like about the bike is the wide and upright handlebar unit compared to the clip-on handlebars that we used to have on the NS200. This has made it a more upright riding position which is much better in the city and in the twisties. Additionally, the seat is well-padded so you can also enjoy slightly longer rides out on the highway.

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Pillion Comfort

The rear seat is high-set and narrow, making it slightly difficult to mount and it becomes uncomfortable for long stints. The grab rails are functional but small and the footpegs are also set higher up. If a rider is planning regular pillion rides, a cushier aftermarket seat or backrest might help. The bike is mainly meant for solo riding but can accommodate a pillion for short rides.

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Engine

The NS400Z shares its motor with the Dominar. This engine makes 40PS at 8500 rpm and a peak torque of 35Nm at 7000rpm; the only change made is that it gets a 46-tooth rear sprocket compared to a 45-tooth sprocket on the Dominar 400. Combine this with the 174kg kerb weight, and it translates to peppy acceleration. 

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: City Performance

In our tests, the NS400Z did a 0-100 kmph run in 7.73 seconds. As I crossed the 6500rpm mark, there were vibrations felt prominently on the handlebar and they only got harsher as the bike revved to the redline. This motor is tractable enough to do 40 km/h in third gear making it quite usable in the city. In Road and Rain riding modes, the power is gentler, making the bike friendly for new riders. The slipper clutch is light, and gear shifts are slick. Filtering through traffic isn’t hard either, thanks to the narrow profile of the bike and the manageable weight

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Highway Performance

Out on the highway, it can sit at 100kmph in sixth gear just under the 5,500 rpm mark. Cruising at 120 kmph is possible but I started to notice a very slight buzz at the handlebars and footpegs at that speed. On the test track, I was able to achieve an indicated top-speed of 166kmph in sixth gear; Bajaj has revealed a claimed top speed of 154 km/h. Windblast becomes noticeable after 110kmph but that is expected from a naked streetfighter. Overall, for spirited highway rides and weekends in the twisties, the NS400Z is able to deliver big-bike feels.

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Mileage

The claimed mileage for the NS400Z is 28.5kmpl. I was able to see a fuel efficiency reading of approximately 26kmpl, which should give the NS400Z a range of around 300 kilometres on a full tank.

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Handling

The bike handles city speeds easily but takes a little more effort to be tipped into corners when you compare it to something like the KTM 390 Duke. When I was pushing this motorcycle to extract all that it has to offer, the front end did tend to feel a little twitchy. This is because the front wheel does not get a radial tire. For 2025, the bike is said to have been updated with Apollo tyres, which includes a front Radial tyre and a thicker rear tyre. This should have enhanced the front end feel of the motorcycle and improved stability at higher speeds as well. 

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Brakes

With a 320mm disc brake at the front, it becomes the Pulsar with the largest disc brake ever and it is paired with a 230mm rear disc brake. This setup does a good job; all that is required from a rider is a little bit of effort on the front lever after which the bike comes to a halt at an instant. The 2025 update is said to have received better brake pads, which will have made the braking feel even sharper.

Ride Comfort (3.5/5)

The inverted front forks and rear monoshock are tuned slightly on the firm side to retain sportiness, but they don’t compromise on comfort. The bike handles broken roads, potholes, and speed bumps with ease. I did feel some firmness over sharp bumps, but nothing harsh. Overall, it is a bike you can use for the daily commute and still enjoy weekend runs to the twisties without needing any suspension tweaks. Considering that the bike is making use of the same Dominar frame, it still feels like it has some heaviness to it. Bajaj has sharpened the Rake by 1.2 degrees on the NS400Z and this has translated to a shorter wheelbase of 1343mm.

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Verdict

Priced at Rs 1.85 lakh (ex-showroom), this is the most affordable 400cc motorcycle you can buy in India. It s the same price that the KTM 390 Duke was launched for, over 11 years ago in our market. It is nice to see that Bajaj has aggressively priced the NS400Z, disrupting the entire segment and making it accessible to a wide range of riders. Ever since its launch, Bajaj seems to have also heard the requests of customers and given the bike a couple of updates. The 2025 model should be officially announced soon and priced at a slight premium. 

The NS400Z goes up against a couple of popular bikes but has the upper hand when it comes to pricing. The naked TVS Apache RTR 310 is loaded with more features but is less powerful and priced higher. The KTM 390 Duke is a sharper and faster motorcycle but it is significantly more expensive. And finally, the Dominar 400 that this bike shares components with, is a more touring-focused machine which is heavier and more laid-back in nature.

Price Analysis

Priced at Rs 1.85 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), this is the most affordable 400cc motorcycle available in India. At this price point, riders get sharp looks, a powerful engine, good handling abilities, and a rich set of features.