BAJAJ PULSAR NS400Z

Bajaj's flagship Pulsar gets some serious 'under-the-skin' updates to offer even better value

- ABHAY VERMA

BAJAJ PULSAR NS400Z

Engine: 373cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder Power: 43PS @ 9,000rpm Torque: 35Nm @ 7,500rpm Weight: 174kg Gearbox: 6-speed Price: ` 1.92 lakh ex-showroom

The Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z has been given an update, just a year after its launch. Too early? May be not. The enhancements it receives in this update should have been part of the package from day one. That said, I'm not holding it against Bajaj. If anything, the bike maker has taken our feedback (and customers'!) and given its flagship Pulsar more bells and whistles.

Heck, for someone who's first motorcycle was a 2005 Bajaj Pulsar 180 (DTS-i, 'Fear the Black' edition), I couldn't have imagined the Pulsar being equipped with a bidirectional quickshifter, four riding modes and traction control when buying it, exactly two decades ago!

I was sure happy to see the Pulsar get these features last year, especially since it has been pegged more as an affordable performance motorcycle over the past few years, it was a big deal indeed. Let's also not forget, the NS400Z offered tremendous value for money right from day one, more than any other 400cc motorcycle.