NS400Z: Bajaj’s beast just got a lot more meaner

Bajaj gave everyone a shocker last year with the outstanding price tag for the Pulsar NS400Z. A 400cc motorcycle under Rs. 2 lakh certainly sounded like a sweet deal. However, in terms of the riding experience, it felt lacking in certain areas to feel like a proper ‘Pulsar,’ especially when ridden spiritedly. As always, the Chakan-based brand took our feedback seriously and gave the 2025 model exactly what it needed to be an enthusiast’s delight, and that too with a price hike of just Rs. 7,000! Now, on the face of it, the Pulsar NS400Z is definitely a better value than before. But do these changes really make it a better motorcycle? We spent some time with the bike to find out.

Looks & styling

The aesthetics of the Pulsar NS400Z remain the same as before. Bajaj has not even introduced new colours or graphics for the bike, which is a downer, especially considering this design already feels old. However, if you look past the age, this NS200-like stance still looks sporty and handsome and the Z-shaped LED DRLs give the NS400 a different visual flair. The motorcycle could do with better quality levels. You don’t need to be an expert to spot the inconsistency in paint finish in some areas and the somewhat sub-standard quality levels for the switchgear plastic. Having said that, there’s nothing seriously alarming.

What’s changed

The most significant change is in the engine. Bajaj has tweaked the internals of the motorcycle, replacing the cast piston with a forged unit, and as a result, the power output is now almost 3bhp higher, with the redline occurring 1,000rpm later. The updated model produces 42.4bhp at 9,000rpm, and the top speed has gone up from 150kmph to 157kmph. Bajaj also says that the zero to 60kmph and zero to 100kmph sprint times have improved. The six-speed gearbox is now accompanied by a bi-directional quick shifter. Bajaj calls it ‘Sport Shift’ because it only works in Sport mode. The company believes the quick shifter isn’t needed in the other riding modes (Rain, Road, and Off-road), as they aren’t tuned for aggressive riding. Furthermore, the previous MRF Rev Z bias-ply tyres have been replaced with Apollo Alpha H1 radial rubbers, with the rear tyre now a wider 150-section unit. Lastly, organic pads in the front disc brake calliper have made way for sintered pads to deliver better stopping power. The rest of the aspects of the Pulsar NS400Z remain the same. It continues to be underpinned by a perimeter frame suspended by USD forks and a monoshock. With a 174kg kerb weight, the fuel tank capacity stands at 12 litres. It offers a seat height of 807mm and a ground clearance of 168mm. The instrumentation setup includes an LCD dash that’s Bluetooth-enabled and shows plenty of information. It also features switchable traction control and four riding modes, each offering different power delivery, throttle response, and ABS intervention. Completing the package are adjustable levers and a USB charging port.

Ride-Handling-Performance

The engine of the Pulsar NS400Z continues to be potent, offering a good mix of thrilling performance and tractability. In any given mode, the acceleration feels progressive and manageable up to around 6,000rpm, making it suitable for pottering around town at slow speeds. Once you get past that point, the engine comes alive with a good surge of torque and a throatier exhaust sound. The bike reaches 100kmph effortlessly and still has enough punch in reserve to pull off overtakes easily. It also feels more vigorous in the top-end, where it revs more freely than before. Every time I went from the most aggressive Sport mode to the most conservative Rain mode, the difference in character was noticeable. The former offers a more alert throttle response for spirited riding, while the latter is great for times when you want to take it easy. What turned out to be impressive were lesser vibrations as compared to the iteration I rode last year. You feel some buzz creeping in between 4,000-6,000rpm, but they settle to some extent beyond that. Still, being a single cylinder, this engine rarely feels completely devoid of vibrations. Moreover, the on-off throttle transition in the lower revs feels slightly jerky in every riding mode and this might take some time getting used to. While the gearbox is quite slick with seamless shifts, the quick shifter could do with more finesse. You need to put in some effort while upshifting, with the downshifts being much easier. That said, this is subjective, some of my fellow journos preferred the clunky feel of the quick shifter. The new Apollo Alpha H1 tyres have made a world of difference to the bike’s handling. Courtesy of incessant drizzling in Pune during our media ride, I also got to test the wet grip of these tyres and they didn’t fail to impress while spiritedly changing lanes on the highway or swiftly manoeuvring through gaps in traffic. Braking has also improved significantly. The transition to the sintered pads has not only improved the front brake bite significantly, but the stopping power also remains strong even after an hour of continuous riding in an aggressive manner. The suspension of the Pulsar NS400Z remains unchanged, and this is a firmly sprung setup. Not to the extent of being uncomfortable, but you do feel undulations as small as thickly painted white lines on the road, especially at slower speeds. The faster you go, the more absorbent the suspension feels. Anything beyond 80kmph on the highway and the ride feels almost flat and composed.

Verdict

The Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z was already a good motorcycle in terms of the value it offered for its asking price. The engine performance, handling, comfort, and features were already impressive. But the updates to the 2025 iteration have made it an even more desirable package. The biggest highlights for us were the slightly toned down vibrations, better punch in the higher revs, grippier Apollo tyres, and the significantly stronger front brake bite. The motorcycle can still do with smoother on-off throttle transitions in the lower revs, better engine refinement, higher quality levels, more advanced console, and switchability for the rear ABS. However, all these minor shortcomings get overshadowed when you factor in its price tag of Rs. 1.92 lakh, ex-showroom which makes the Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z a tremendous value-for-money. For a price-sensitive buyer upgrading from a smaller 125-150cc offering, or even for first-time motorcycle buyers, the NS400Z offers unmatched value.