It is good not to read too much sometimes. Yes, too much reading can be injurious to healthy guys. I say that because I felt that on the Pulsar NS 400 Z First Ride Experience. As I read into the corners of the internet, most of the chatter was around how uninterested the people are about the new Pulsar. It mostly stemmed from the fact that there was nothing bespoke on the new motorcycle.
The engine had been robbed from the Dominar, which meant a 373cc engine that was not new at all. The looks, which were leaked thanks to a certain website, showcased to us that it didn’t look much different from the NS 200 that is currently out there. And, the fact that Bajaj had not put anything brilliant over the last decade meant that people were not that excited.
But this is where I learned not to judge a book by not riding it first. I mean, in short, this motorcycle has enough capabilities to shut off any critic through sheer speed and amazing handling capabilities. And when you price it right, like INR 1.85 Lakh right, boy oh boy…. This is just begging to be bought.
So in the end, the Pulsar NS 400 Z is an absolute game-changer. Yes, there are flaws in the vehicle, like a certain overheating problem in the engine that may send the vehicle into Limp Mode. But other than that, all of the flaws of the motorcycle are liveable. Yes, the instrument cluster has two faces, the vibrations are a little disturbing, and the looks are nothing special, but guys, this is a beautiful motorcycle from the perspective of the dynamics alone. I am just beyond thrilled to receive such a product from Bajaj after so many long years. Final verdict, better than a Hero Mavrick and definitely the best motorcycle under two lakh.
When you see it for the first time, you will be a little confused. It looks like Bajaj didn’t bother much to meddle with the design and headed straight to the printer where they photocopied the entire blueprint of the NS 200. Apart from a few extended parts, a new headlight unit, golden USDs, and a new instrument cluster, you will not be able to visually find much difference. However, these are the small things that you might be noticing. To be honest, when you go around the motorcycle, it will be a little underwhelming. However, I am not a guy who is very concerned with looks. So if the look is a deal-breaker for you, I’ll understand. But, look past the looks and you will discover something special. Oh, one thing, the ‘Z’ in the NS 400Z comes from the daytime running lights that are present on the headlight unit.
Price - INR 1.85 Lakh Introductory Price Launch in India
Engine
Type - Liquid Cooled, 4V, DOHC with DLC coated finger followers
Displacement (cc) - 373.27
Max. Power (PS @ rpm) - 40 @ 8800
Max. Torque (Nm @ rpm) - 35 @ 6500
Transmission - 6-Speed
Clutch type - Assist & Slipper clutch
Throttle control - Ride by Wire Electronic throttle control
ECU Ride Modes - Rider selectable modes Road, Rain, Sport and Offroad
Suspension
Front - 43 mm USD
Rear - Monoshock with Nitrox, 6 step adjustable
Brake System
Front - 320 mm Disc
Rear - 230 mm Disc
Twin Channel ABS - Yes
Tyres
Front - 110/70 - 17 Tubeless
Rear - 140/70 - 17 Tubeless
Dimensions
Ground clearance (mm) - 168
Wheel base (mm) - 1344
Seat Height Rider (mm) - 807
Fuel tank capacity (L) - 12
Kerb weight (kg) - 174
Now this is where things get interesting! Going in I thought, if there are so many parts from so many different places, the driving dynamics will be all over the place. There was a lot of chatter about the things Bajaj had changed on the motorcycle and why they changed it (most of them to keep costs low). But there was no talk or praise of the riding dynamics at the press meet.
Boy oh boy, what a piece of machine. But let me hit you with some of the changes that have been made on the motorcycle. Starting with the 43mm front USDs, the engine frame taken from Dominar, is just 10% heavier than the NS200, with one tooth increase in the rear sprocket (46 teeth), and a weight distribution of 59:41 percent (Front: Rear). The engine produces 40 Bhp and 35 Nm of torque and now has to push a weight of 174 kg rather than Dominar’s 192kg weight. The wheelbase has also been reduced by 12mm over the Pulsar 200NS and that makes it very very nimble. Finally, it comes with a few modes that seemed more or less useless to me, so let me not talk about them.
What this results in, is a track monster and a streetfighter that is ready to carve open the road at any given point. Whether it be straights, bends, traffic, or off the tarmac, this motorcycle can take care of everything. I am just mesmerized by how flickable the motorcycle is but at the same time, it is stable in corners and during hard braking as well. So you tell me, what should I be thinking?
