The Pulsar has been one of the most popular bikes in the Indian market since its launch back in 2001, and it is now about to get its biggest capacity model in between April and June 2024, as revealed by Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj Auto. So, while we eagerly wait for its launch, here’s what we expect from the upcoming motorcycle.
Well, since the Pulsar lineup has mostly been associated with naked bikes, launching the biggest capacity Pulsar yet in naked form makes the most sense. And we think it’ll be called the Bajaj Pulsar NS400. Currently, the Bajaj Dominar 400 is the only bike in Bajaj’s lineup that uses the 373.3cc liquid-cooled engine producing 40PS and 35Nm. So, using that torquey engine in the NS400 will be a perfect fit with a few changes to make it suit a Pulsar’s character – more acceleration at lower rpm. It also makes sense to use this older engine from the point of view of cost, because using the new KTM 390 Duke’s 399cc engine might drive up the price of the upcoming Pulsar significantly.
Also, it is expected to be based on the Bajaj Pulsar NS200’s perimeter chassis which will help in the Pulsar NS400 getting very good handling characteristics – quick to change direction. Design-wise, it is expected to get the aggressive and sharp design language of the NS200, but with some changes to make it look more muscular. Suspension-wise, it should come with an inverted fork as the Pulsar NS200 and even the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 for that matter, gets an inverted fork. In terms of features, it’ll likely get all-LED lighting and an LCD instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation, similar to that of its smaller capacity siblings.
The upcoming Pulsar NS400 is expected to be priced between the Rs 1.9 – 2 lakh (ex-showroom) mark and will rival the likes of the KTM 390 Duke, Husqvarna Svartpilen 401, TVS Apache RTR 310 and the Triumph Speed 400.
