Even with such an old design being carried over in 2023, the Pulsar NS160 looks quite sporty and can be mistaken for the NS200. Given its almost triangular face and chunky fuel tank, the bike feels front-heavy, but more on that later. The refreshing bits for 2023 are the N250/F250 borrowed wheels alongside the USD forks. Both parts add to the NS160’s aesthetics and make it look attractive. Moreover, the overall sporty demeanour of the NS160 stays intact in 2023 as well.

While everything about the NS160 screams aggressiveness, its rider triangle is the complete opposite, and in a good way. The wide handlebar, slightly rear-set footpegs, and the scooped seating position offer a very commanding and comfortable setting. The vast and flat handle offers immense leverage when changing directions in a jiffy, while the rider pegs are low enough to offer enough room and one does not feel cramped.

Bajaj has powered the 2023 Pulsar NS160 with a 160.3cc single-cylinder engine and it’s linked to a five-speed gearbox. The revs climb with urgency and you’ll find a majority of the NS160’s power around and post the mid-range. This complements its sporty nature but at the cost of its tractability. The NS160’s gearbox is slick and responsive but needs to be worked on often. Since all the power is in the later revs, it’s a struggle to ride the bike in higher gear at low speeds. So, downshifts are inevitable. Further, we observed a speedometer-indicated top speed of around 117kmph, which is good when you consider how old the motor is. But you’ll be met with buzz and uneasy clatter from the engine when gunning for the top speed, which is a notable flaw for the NS.

The features list is where Bajaj can improve by a substantial margin. The NS160’s setup is quite archaic with the halogen lights and semi-digital instrument console, especially when its rivals get LED illumination and a fully digital console. Having said that, it gets dual-channel ABS now, which makes the overall riding experience slightly better since this feature has enhanced the safety net.

During the BikeWale fuel efficiency test, the NS160 returned 52.2kmpl of mileage. That’s quite a commendable figure, especially when you pair it with the bike’s 12-litre fuel tank. On average, the bike should return a range of around 620km in one go. However, the figure could vary by a slight margin because we tested the bike in mild traffic conditions in the city as well as on the highway. And considering your riding style and conditions, the final figure would be different.

The 2023 Bajaj Pulsar NS160 is affordable, sporty, and has the youthfulness and other factors to lure in younger customers as well. Not to mention, it’s also easy on the pocket in terms of fuel efficiency and Bajaj’s spare parts, too, are fairly affordable. So, for anyone who’s just entering college or has passed out and is looking for a sporty-looking, naked motorcycle, then the NS160 could be their choice.

However, it’s not the only bike in the 160cc segment. There’s the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, Apache RTR 160, and even the NS160’s cousin, the Pulsar N160 in the same category. So, for the NS160 to stand out in the crowd, it needs to do more in terms of performance and offer better features as well. Until then, only customers specifically looking for the NS would buy one.