Bajaj Pulsar NS 400Z Review: Still a 100% Thrill Reminisce Value?
May 14, 2024Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Chapter 3 – First Ride review
Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Day of Reckoning – Day Zero
It is day zero with the sweltering heat giving us MMRT vibes. Between the shadows and lots of water I managed to stay ride ready. After much fanfare, debate and waiting scribes and moto-vloggers from most media houses were ready to take their assigned units to the proving grounds – the Chakan test track.
Kicking off the proceedings with a formal introduction to help us get acquainted with the all-new NS 400Z our host of the day also took us through a safety briefing session. At the end of the session the batches were announced and we took to the track with our assigned batchmates. After keeping a blank slate for the week past, it is time to get to the review and see if the Bajaj Pulsar NS 400Z still held a 100% Thrill Reminisce Value? Well let’s find out.
2024 Bajaj Pulsar NS 400Z review: – Ride and Handling:
The Bajaj Pulsar NS 400Z has three major sections to its structure:
- The front USD adds a beefy look as compared to its telescopic fork fitted ancestor – the First generation 2012 Bajaj Pulsar NS 200. In keeping with the “Flagship” quotient this one gets Projector Headlamps with Signature Lightning Bolt DRLs, a hydroformed handle bar flanked by signature Dominar RVMs and a fully loaded “split” infinity display.
- The mid section with a 12 litres of fuel tank and its 373.3cc Dominar sourced engine. both, clasped together by the perimeter frame with vibration dampening elements to keep NVH levels low.
- The classic signature NS tailgate with the under belly exhaust system. Also, the 1343mm swingarm is the one of the shortest in class thereby making it more agile. This is a major plus for the motorcycle, specially when it comes to sharp handling maneuvers and while carving corners.
2024 Bajaj Pulsar NS 400Z review: – Ride Quality:
The overall ride quality of the motorcycle is improved due to the wider and comparatively softer seat calibrated to the monoshock suspension. While some will talk down the 11/140 MRF tyres, they are indeed something to reckon with. Yes, the overall confidence in the owned 2017 never got beaten down. Here also the tyres surprise you, read on…
2024 Bajaj Pulsar NS 400Z review: – Engine and Gearbox:
At first, you like this clunky hard hitting gearbox. You want to clutch in and throttle out, rapidly! Yes the hard clutch from the 2022 Bajaj Dominar 400 BS6 is set up differently. With some pit crew assistance I got soft clutch calibrated to that of my personal user NS 200. The hard clutch lets you short shift when needed and Send it! The downshifts are swift and almost effortless here too. No matter how much stress you give it while downshifting it takes it with a pinch of salt. The upshifts are nothing like the dominar, they are way quicker – almost orange?
2024 Bajaj Pulsar NS 400Z review: – Engine refinement:
Yes, this too is a high revving engine, however with a different character. The power didn’t seem overwhelming at any point of time. For a first time rider this can be rather quick. Like the 2022 Bajaj Dominar 400, the NS 400Z keeps you at ease throughout the rev band. Speaking of which, the motorcycle red lines at around 8,500 rpm or so. This expanded range gives the motorcycle comparatively linear and smoother power delivery.
2024 Bajaj Pulsar NS 400Z review: – Top end?
So, what is the secret of the sauce you would ask, according to me it is that extra tooth on rear sprocket and shorter wheelbase fused together thus offering quicker acceleration and resultant top speed. Speaking of which managed an on track 164, the Vmax rated speed is said to be at around 154 kmph.
2024 Bajaj Pulsar NS 400Z review: – Braking:
While some of our fellow media houses have spoken about the brand already, we too were curious to know more about the brand – Grimeca. About four years ago it was acquired by Endurance group which holds a 100% stake in the company. Endurance has been one of Bajaj Auto Ltd.’s oldest component supplier and this acquisition in fact adds a feather to their hat.
Grimeca as we understand has brands such as – Aprilia, Benelli. Betamotor, BMW, Derbi, Ducati, Fantic Motor, Moto Guzzi, Honda, Husqvarna, Kymco, KTM, Mbk, Mv Agusta, Peugeot, Piaggio, Rieju, Suzuki, and Yamaha among others as part of its customer base. Suffice to said that for the short 5 lap stint, the Grimecas had more bite as compared to the ones on the Dominars allow you to not only braked swiftly but also late when you want to…
2024 Bajaj Pulsar NS 400Z review: “Turn N Burn”
With a substantial comfort factor gained it was time to go all out and see where I could max out the NS 400 while also putting to test the much criticized MRF tyres. Yes, once again I’d like to thank Bajaj Auto for opting for a 110/140 profile. Incidentally, today the aftermarket/ stock replacement tyres in this section rather large. From high performance track use to adventure touring, there is one tyre for everyone!
So here I am on this lap maxing out at 164 kmph on the odo and decided to brake late (Because that is what the is best at ). While extending a comfortable space to my on track compadre as we turned in, the (186 km old) MRF held its own and politely let him pass without much of a fuss. In the racing dimension it would be a 93 “Turn & burn” executed with his signature finesse.
2024 Bajaj Pulsar NS 400Z review: The Conclusion?
Finally we conclude the 3rd chapter of our 4 part series, no this is not the end not just yet. Riding the Pulsar NS for 98,495 kilometers and 5 laps doesn’t justify the time spent on the Pulsar NS 400Z. It is a relationship that only grows stronger with time (read kilometres). In case you missed the earlier series, click on the links below to get up to speed, till then “Turn N Burn”
Want to know more about the NS 400Z? Click here
