Bajaj Pulsar N160 S & N160 SS: What's New

Bajaj Auto recently launched two new variants of the Pulsar N160, called the N160 S and N160 SS. While the basic design and streetfighter character remain familiar, Bajaj has made some major changes underneath the skin. Here is everything that's new on the N160 S and SS:

An All-New 4-Valve Engine

The biggest update is the engine. The N160 4V gets an all-new 164.5cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled, four-valve engine. It produces 18.5 PS at 9,500rpm and 14.4 Nm at 8,000rpm, making it more powerful than the 2-valve N160, but is a little down on torque (16 PS and 14.65 Nm).

For the new variants, Bajaj claims a 0-60kmph time of 4.7 seconds, while the engine continues to use a 5-speed gearbox. The new engine is also paired with electronic throttle control, or ride-by-wire, which has allowed Bajaj to introduce multiple riding modes and more electronic aids. There are a total of four riding modes on offer: Road, Rain, Sport and Off-road.

These modes alter the way the engine responds to throttle inputs, allowing the rider to choose between different riding characteristics depending on the situation. This is a significant upgrade for a motorcycle in this segment and gives the N160 4V a more sophisticated electronic package than before.

Dual-Channel ABS And Traction Control

The N160 4V also gets a more advanced safety package. The N160 S gets single-channel ABS, while the more premium N160 SS gets dual-channel ABS. The SS also gets traction control, which helps reduce wheelspin when grip is limited. Bajaj has also introduced its Crawl Tech, designed to make low-speed riding easier by controlling the motorcycle’s forward movement more smoothly. 

New 5-Inch Colour TFT Console

The top-spec N160 SS gets another major upgrade in the form of a 5-inch TFT instrument console. The display supports smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth and Wifi, along with SMS/call alerts, music controls, and document storage. This new console also supports Google Maps mirroring, giving riders proper navigation information directly on the motorcycle’s screen. The console also displays information related to the riding modes and other motorcycle parameters. The N160 S, meanwhile, gets a simpler LCD instrument console.

Check out our detailed features explainer of the N160 4V.

New Colour Options And Premium Equipment

Bajaj has also given three new striking colour options to these variants: Brooklyn Black, Iceberg White and Atlantic Blue. Bajaj has also added equipment such as adjustable brake and clutch levers, along with hazard lights. The overall package is now noticeably more premium than the previous N160. The bike continues with LED lighting and the familiar muscular Pulsar N-series styling, although there are updates to the graphics and some detailing to distinguish the new versions.

BikeDekho Says

The new N160 4V is much more than a cosmetic update. Bajaj has fundamentally upgraded the motorcycle’s engine and electronics while keeping its familiar streetfighter character intact.

The jump to an 18.5PS four-valve engine, electronic throttle, riding modes and traction control makes the N160 considerably more interesting than before, at least on-paper. The SS, in particular, gets an impressive equipment list for its price, with a TFT display, Google Maps mirroring and dual-channel ABS. In short, the N160 has gone from being a fairly straightforward 160cc motorcycle to one of the most technologically loaded bikes in its segment.