Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 with ABS: Coming soon

Bajaj Auto is working on adding a single-channel ABS to the Pulsar 160 NS. The Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 with ABS will be launched in October 2018, according to MotorOctane. Apart from the addition of the single-channel ABS system, there won’t be any major mechanical changes on the motorcycle. Bajaj could add daytime running LEDs, revise graphics and the paint scheme. The motorcycle takes on the Suzuki Gixxer 160, the Yamaha FZ-S, the TVS Apache RTR 160 and the Honda Hornet CB160R in the Indian market. It’s currently priced at around Rs. 82,000, ex-showroom Delhi. The addition of a single-channel ABS is expected to push up cost by at least Rs. 10,000.

The Pulsar NS 160 ABS will continue to use the 160cc, four stroke oil cooled engine with Bajaj’s triple spark plug ignition technology. This engine puts out 15.5 PS of peak power at 8,500 rpm and 14.6 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. A five speed manual gearbox is standard on the motorcycle, which weighs 142 kilograms.

The addition of the single channel ABS system could push up weight of the Pulsar NS 160 by 2-3 kilograms. That’s a small weight increase which is unlikely to affect mileage significantly. Even if it does, it’s a small price to pay for the massive safety boost that ABS brings with it.

Notably motorcycle makers in the 150-160cc segment have begun adding single channel ABS to comply with the Indian goverment’s order mandating single channel ABS as standard on all two wheelers with engines measuring over 125cc from April 2019. All 125cc+ new two wheelers launching after April 2018 will have to offer ABS as standard, and the existing line up of two wheelers (already on sale) have time until April 2019 to comply.

ABS stands for anti-lock braking system, a feature that makes sure that the wheels don’t lock even under emergency braking. This prevents skidding and allows the rider to steer around obstacles even when the brakes are fully depressed as the wheels don’t lock up. Single channel ABS works only on the front brake while dual channel ABS works on both brakes. However, a single channel ABS is also quite effective, and it’s better to have at least single channel ABS rather than nothing.

Via MotorOctane