Bajaj Auto has the updated Pulsar N160 4V in the country to take on two key rivals. We’re talking about the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and then the Hero Xtreme 160R 4V, both of which come with a 4V head. We compared the new Bajaj Pulsar N160 4V against these sporty 160cc 4V motorcycles across multiple aspects to see how it fares on paper.
New Bajaj Pulsar N160 4V vs Rivals
The new powertrain is the main highlight of Bajaj’s new Pulsar N160 4V and we need to start here. It is a new 164.5cc oil-cooled engine with new bore and stroke specs. It gets a 4V head for the first time and generates 18.24 bhp and 14.4 Nm. These are best power figures in the segment a Apache’s engine generates 17.3 bhp and Xtreme’s engine has the least power at 16.6 bhp.
However, Pulsar is the heaviest in this comparison at 151 kg, but has comparable power : weight ration with Apache as the latter is the lightest in this segment. Hero Xtreme on the other hand, has lower power : weight ratio. Pulsar’s fuel tank is the biggest at 14L and it has an electronic throttle body with ride by wire system while Apache misses out on it. Xtreme goes a step further with cruise control as it also gets electronic throttle.
Wheelbase and ground clearance is the highest with Apache, while Pulsar N160 has the lowest seat height at 795 mm. All three bikes get 17-inch alloy wheels along with 100-section front tyre and 130-section rear tyre. Only Pulsar has 300 mm front disc brake, while others have smaller. Dual Channel ABS is common between all three, which is standard across variants only with the Hero.
Both Pulsar and Apache offer Traction Control, while Hero does not. All three bikes offer 37mm USD telescopic front forks where only Apache has RSU forks with base variants, whereas others offer them as standard and rear suspension with all three bikes is a mono-shock setup. It has to be noted that only Hero Xtreme lacks adjustable clutch and brake levers, something which both Pulsar and Apache offer.
Bajaj Brings Google Maps To 160cc Segment
LED lighting all around has become a common feature in the 160cc segment and all three bikes have them. Coming to the juicy bit of Pulsar N160 4V update, Bajaj has given this bike a TFT instrument cluster along with Google Maps mirroring. This is the first time Google Maps mirroring has been offered with a 160cc offering. Apache comes with a TFT cluster too, but only has turn-by-turn navigation and Hero has a colour LCD cluster with turn-by-turn navigation.
In terms of pricing, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V still has the edge as it starts from Rs 1.19 lakh, while base Pulsar N160 4V starts from Rs 1.34 lakh and base Xtreme 160R 4V from Rs 1.33 lakh. Despite offering cruise control, Xtreme’s top variant pricing is the lowest, followed by Apache, while Pulsar N160 4V is the most expensive.