After years of awaiting, Bajaj is finally set to launch the Pulsar NS with the bigger 400cc engine
Indian motorcycle manufacturer Bajaj has announced the arrival of the Pulsar NS400, which is to be launched on May 3. This announcement has turned out to be the most exciting piece of news among the Indian motorcycling community because, for years, riders and bikers have prayed for the NS with a 400cc engine. This move from Bajaj is also likely to change the tide in the manufacturer’s favour in the 400cc segment. After all, the Dominar 400, Bajaj’s only existing 400cc motorcycle, never lived up to expectations and failed to gain a customer base.
When the Dominar 400 was launched, it was expected to rule the 400cc segment and dethrone the Royal Enfield models in the 300-400cc segment. Unfortunately, since its launch in 2016, the motorcycle has never been a significant product for Bajaj. In fact, in February 2024, Bajaj only sold 698 Dominars, as opposed to 1,281 sold in February 2023, which proves that the Dominar’s position is slipping in the market.
The Dominar 400 which has not been significantly updated for years
When it comes to the 300-500 segment, Royal Enfield’s dominance is unparalleled. For example, in January 2024, Royal Enfield sold 28,013 Classic 350s, 15,590 Bullets 350 and 13,536 Hunters. Over the years, in the 300-500cc segment, Royal Enfield has always led the charts. The only naked street fighter motorcycle that came close to Royal Enfield’s sales figures was the KTM Duke 390.
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 with spoked chrome wheels
The Pulsar NS400 can change the tides for Bajaj because, for over a decade, Bajaj Pulsars have ruled the 200cc segment out of which, a majority were Pulsar NS 200s. Despite having tough competition from the KTM Duke 200 and TVS Apache, the 200cc Pulsars because of their performance and value-for-money price-tag have helped Bajaj lead the 200cc segment.
Not to forget, the KTM Duke 390 is also one of the most popular motorcycles in India in the 300-400cc segment, but still, it fails to topple products from Royal Enfield because of its hefty price tag. This is where the Bajaj Pulsar NS400 can play a game-changing role. After all, if Triumph (in collaboration with Bajaj) can sell the Speed 400 at an affordable price tag of INR 2.33 lakh, ex-showroom (Delhi), Bajaj is expected to launch the NS400 at a lesser price tag.
When it comes to expectations, given that Bajaj has recently updated the N250, we expect the Bajaj Pulsar NS400 to have the same goodies: – USD fork, a fully digital instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity, call and SMS alert, navigation prompts, ABS modes such as Rain, Road and Off-Road and traction control.
Moving on to engine, it will be interesting to see if Bajaj employs the old KTM 373cc engine or the new KTM 398cc engine. For the record, KTM recently updated the Duke 390 by replacing the old 373cc engine with a brand-new 398cc engine that has a peak power of 46hp at 8,500rpm and a maximum torque of 39Nm at 6,500rpm. However, it must be noted that KTM is still running the Duke 390 ADV with the old engine.
The all-new KTM Duke 390 equipped with the brand-new
In our book of thoughts, Bajaj has been patiently waiting for the KTM’s new engine, and now that it is already available in India, Bajaj will employ the same on the upcoming NS400 – the much-awaited motorcycle will finally see the sun on May 3, 2024.
