Kamal Ghorui
Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z has received a significant update as Bajaj Auto has launched the new 349cc engine model and revised its pricing. The motorcycle is now listed at Rs 1,80,092, ex-showroom, making it more accessible than before. According to the company, buyers can benefit by up to Rs 24,500 on-road, thanks to reduced insurance and registration costs and GST benefits.The biggest change lies under the tank. The Pulsar NS400Z now gets a 349cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that produces 40.6 hp and 33.2 Nm of torque. Compared to the earlier 373cc unit, this represents a slight drop of 2.4 hp and 1.8 Nm. The reduction in displacement comes from a shorter stroke, which has been brought down from 60 mm to 56.1 mm, while the bore remains unchanged at 89 mm. This new engine is expected to be closely related to the latest motor seen on the Bajaj Dominar 400.While performance figures see a minor dip, the move to a sub-350cc engine has a bigger advantage in terms of taxation. Motorcycles under 350cc attract an 18 percent GST, which has helped Bajaj bring down the overall cost. With this change, the NS400Z now positions itself as one of the most affordable motorcycles in India to offer around 40 hp.
Apart from the engine update, the rest of the motorcycle remains unchanged. It continues to be built on the same platform, featuring USD front forks, a rear monoshock and 17-inch alloy wheels. Braking duties are handled by a 320 mm front disc and a 230 mm rear disc, supported by dual-channel ABS.The feature list also stays intact. The NS400Z continues to offer ride-by-wire with four ride modes, a quickshifter, traction control, radial tyres and a Bluetooth-enabled digital instrument cluster. This ensures that despite the engine revision, the motorcycle retains its appeal as a feature-rich performance offering.
