Breaking: 2021 Bajaj Pulsar NS160 Spotted Testing, Receives A Cosmetic Overhaul

The heavily camouflaged unit reveals some interesting details about the upcoming new Pulsar

(UPDATE: Bajaj is working on an all-new Pulsar 250. You can read all about it in our report here.)

Two decades into existence, the Pulsar moniker still has a cult following. After all, Bajaj was the first brand to introduce Indians to affordable performance motorcycles. Over the years, the Pulsar lineup expanded to a dozen motorcycles, starting off with the Pulsar 125, all the way to the evergreen Pulsar 220F. Earlier this week, Bajaj even resurrected the Pulsar 180. Now, a new Pulsar has been spotted testing, which in our opinion could be the 2021 Pulsar NS160.

Though the test mule spotted was heavily camouflaged, a glance at its alloy wheels and the disc brake gives away its identity.  Even the rear end and the swingarm resembles the Bajaj Pulsar NS. The engine block looks like the one on the current-gen Pulsar 150 and Pulsar 180 but a closer look reveals that the engine gets an oil-cooler, similar to what we have seen on the Pulsar NS160. The engine is likely to be the same 160cc, 4-valve engine producing 17.2PS and 14.2Nm, which makes it the most powerful bike in the segment.

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The updates come in the form of a new seat, which appears to be a single piece unit rather than the split seat seen on the current generation model. Another noticeable difference is the side-slung exhaust, replacing the underbelly unit of the existing bike. Interestingly, the frame doesn’t seem to be the perimeter unit that the current-gen bike has and appears to sport a downtube. The test mule featured a monoshock suspension and the braking hardware looked updated with a larger front disc and single-channel ABS. Even the tyres look similar to the current Pulsar NS160.

An interesting bit on the test mule is the headlight. While the overall shape resembles the headlight unit of the Dominar 250, the mule was running with what looks like a halogen projector, like the Bajaj Pulsar RS200. But considering that the bike is in early stages of testing, it is best to reserve our judgement for later.

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That said, it wouldn’t be long before we see the new Pulsar’s debut. Given how manufacturers cash in during the festive season, it could very well be the brand’s trump card this year. So, expect the new Pulsar to launch in September 2021. As for pricing, the current Pulsar NS160 retails for Rs 1,12,518 (ex-showroom Delhi) and we expect the 2021 Pulsar NS160 to either match it or carry a marginal premium. Till then, we will hopefully have more spy shots of the bike that will offer more clarity.  

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