NO PRESSURE

Being the flagship Pulsar is no easy feat, but some metaphorical revs from the 220F can certainly help the NS400Z

- Manaal Mahatme

In nearly 25 years, we have had 21 Pulsars. Start counting and you’ll realise that you have forgotten barely any. Heck, I, the Pulsar 220F, have been in the business for over 17 years. You, my friend, have just joined one of the most celebrated names in the history of Indian motorcycling. And I understand the responsibility and pressure that you have inherited with this legacy. Today, you are the biggest, most badass Pulsar, just as I was once.

Back then we had simpler names, though. Pulsar was the prefix to the engine capacity. Over the years, names grew more complex. First it was the technology (DTSi or FI) that followed the displacement, and then came the acronyms that Gen Z is so fond of. Is that why you have the ‘Z’ in your name, NS400Z? Just kidding, kiddo. Easing the tension.

I am sure you must have heard about my return from retirement, and the sudden departure of my ‘spiritual successor’, the 250. But I want you to understand that it was not what I intended for either of us. I would have loved to hang up my fairing, sit back and let you young boys take our story ahead. That’s not what Indians want, though.

Trust me, I am as surprised as you are. I even wonder sometimes what it is about this ‘oldie’ that people still find appealing. I mean you have everything that one could ask for, right? A big liquid-cooled engine, USD forks, monoshock, ABS, traction control and even connectivity, if it matters. But what grabbed everyone’s attention? Your ‘dated’ styling which was of course inspired by the other NS bikes.