Bajaj Auto has expanded its Pulsar portfolio with the launch of an all-new model – NS160 – in a bid to accelerate sales of its most popular and successful motorcycle brand.

Launching the Pulsar NS160 at a price-tag of Rs 80,648 (ex-showroom, Mumbai) today, the company appears to be attempting to consolidate its leadership in the 150cc commuter motorcycle segment as it sharpens its fight with rivals in the 150cc-200cc motorcycle segment in the domestic market.

TVS Motor Company, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) and Suzuki Motorcycle India launched a number of motorcycles with engine displacements in 151cc-200cc range to take on Bajaj Auto’s supremacy in the recent past. Interestingly, the launch of these models (TVS Apache series; Honda Unicorn 160 and CB Hornet 160R; Suzuki Gixxer series) resulted in a shift of a fraction of the 150cc-customer class, along with many first-time young buyers, to motorcycles with 160cc, 180cc and 200cc engines.

The premium commuter motorcycle segment comprises all 150cc to 200cc models available on sale in the market as the category is primarily contested between TVS Motor, Honda, Bajaj Auto and Suzuki.

In terms of domestic volumes, TVS Motor Company is the market leader in the 150cc-200cc motorcycle segment with its Apache RTR series offering 160cc, 180cc and 200cc variants. It had sold 296,354 units in this class in FY2016-2017. Honda followed suit with sales of 125,313 units in the last fiscal and was the second largest player in the 150cc-200cc league.

Bajaj Auto, with its Pulsar (180cc, 200cc) and KTM range (200 Duke, RC200), stood as the third largest player in the said segment with domestic sales of 107,450 units in FY2016-17.

With sales of 59,655 units of its Gixxer series, Suzuki Motorcycle India ranked fourth in the category.

Pulsar NS160 vs rivals
The 15.28bhp-160.3cc Pulsar NS160 goes head to head with TVS’ 15bhp-159.7cc Apache RTR 160, 15bhp-162.71cc Honda CB Hornet 160R and 14.59bhp-155cc Suzuki Gixxer series.

While Bajaj Auto, known for undercutting its rivals with features and retail prices, has priced its new Pulsar NS160 aggressively, making it the most affordable option in its class, Suzuki’s Gixxer and Honda’s CB Hornet 160R retail starting from Rs 86,933 and Rs 88,010 respectively (both prices ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Commenting on the launch of the Pulsar NS160, Eric Vas, president – motorcycles, Bajaj Auto said, “The new-generation Pulsar NS160 offers a combination of raw power, aggressive styling and superior performance that no other bike in its segment can match. The bike is designed to cater to the young and dynamic motorcycle enthusiast who is evolved, restless and demands performance and style in his everyday riding routine.”

He further added, “Today 70 percent of the sports biking segment is dominated by the 150-160cc motorcycles. The NS160 will target a fast-growing segment of customers who want to stay in this engine displacement band but need the best in technology and performance. The Pulsar brand has been the market leader of sports bikes in India for the last 16 years. With the launch of the NS160, we aim to strengthen our leadership in sports motorcycles.”

The new Pulsar model, a naked street motorcycle, will be available in blue, red and grey colour options.