Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z

Overview

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: My Personal Take

When I read about the Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z, I second guessed myself: Is Bajaj really running the Pulsar brand to the next level? Bajaj has always struck that sweet balance between performance and affordability which the Pulsar range has always had a special place for me. When I learned about the NS400Z, though, I was excited beyond excited. Bajaj is going the sporty, the aggressive way with this one. And you know what? I’m all for it.

Those of us who know the Pulsar series know that when Bajaj doesn’t half step. That’s who they are – they’ve built themselves on creating solid performance machines that won’t empty your wallet. So, the real question is: The NS400Z — is Bajaj bringing something fresh to the table or is the NS400Z just a beefed up version of what we’ve been seeing from the company before? Let’s break it down.

The NS400Z: Why the Buzz?

I can see why there’s a lot of chatter around the Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z. However, the easier Bajaj is making it for us to believe it’s going to be the perfect middleweight naked bike, one for newer riders to get on board, but one to thrill experienced riders with extra power too. Known for sharp, edgy designs and performance that punches well above its weight, the Pulsar NS series is represented by these miniature monsters. It is taking that legacy into uncharted territory it seems. 

Its likely target riders will have come out of a 200cc or 250cc bike and are not quite ready to jump wholeheadfirst into the deep end of the 500cc plus pool. The NS400Z is all that sweet middle ground where power meets practicality, and from what I can see, it isn’t afraid to show its attitude.

Design and Styling: Aggressive Yet Refined

There’s always something I’ve loved about the Pulsar NS series’ aggressive styling. They’re all sharp, purposeful, and ready to strike—like they’d been inspired by fighter jets. It remains faithful to that lineage, as the NS400Z doesn’t stray far. You can count on very bold lines, a muscular fuel tank and that DNA of streetfighter style that really says ‘let’s go!’

Something where the front end is pretty bad ass with a very mean looking LED headlamp setup not only to light up the road to the front, but make it look ugly ugly ugly. Bajaj knows form and function, and this NS400Z looks like it’ll live up to his reputation. On the road or at the cafe this bike has the style to distract bystanders, whether with a blast on a stretch of open road or a slow roll up to a friendly café.

Engine and Performance: The Heart of the Beast

Now, let’s talk power. According to the official specs, the NS400Z should have a 373cc, liquid cooled, single cylinder engine, an offshoot of the Dominar 400, or so we assume. However, if that is the case then we’re talking about some 40 horsepower more than enough to send your heart racing.

The thing that I love about this engine setup is that it delivers the perfect choirs of power and usability. While it won’t crush you, it should provide enough grunt for high speed rides and twisty back roads to be a real hoot. The Pulsar series has always been about being performance accessible, and I’m sure NS400Z will deliver. It’s the type of bike that’s fun but not intimidating.

Handling and Ride Quality: Ready for the Twists

If the NS400Z is anything like its siblings I’m picturing some seriously nimble handling. I’d say Bajaj’s track record on building light footed bikes is pretty proven and this one will be no different. If it has a lightweight frame and decent suspension, this bike should be a real bee line through corners.

I’m thinking we’ll have inverted forks up front along with a mono shock at the rear and as such should do pretty well across less than perfect surfaces. And for someone like me who loves a good weekend ride but didn’t want to sacrifice comfort as part of the trade-off for performance, that’s a big win.

That type of seating position, upright, is probably going to be another win too. When you’re gearing up for long rides or daily commutes, it’s the kind of setup that lets you stay in control without putting too much strain on your back or wrists. Knowing I won’t need a chiropractor at the end of the day, I can already see myself hitting the road.

Features and Technology: Modern Meets Practical

Hopefully when Bajaj releases this one, they put a few modern, practical features on the NS400Z. So a fully digital instrument cluster, maybe some Bluetooth capability for navigation and dual channel ABS make sense. I’ve always found Bajaj to be good at cramming features in without blowing the price, and I’m sure they won’t break trend here.

So let’s talk about ABS: it doesn’t get better than ABS. It’s that extra layer of safety especially on a bike with this much power. I’d also hope they'd bring the NS400Z with full LED lighting, after all, it's 2024, and if the equipment isn't full LED, well, it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense anymore.

The Expected Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Who’s It For?

Then, who is the NS400Z actually for? Personally, I think it’s for the rider who is willing to compromise a little performance in favor of the reply on a 600+cc bike. For those that have come up from a 200cc 250cc machine and want an extra hit of perceived power but not a huge jump up in much bigger displacement.

It’s also for the person who loves a good mix of style and substance. If you’re like me and like how a bike looks as much as how it performs, the NS400Z is a winner. This bike will see you through city traffic, or crushed on a weekend road trip.

What to Keep in Mind

While the NS400Z appears to be a capable middleweight, there’s a couple of things to keep in mind. But first, with a little increased that weighs with a little, the power. However, if Bajaj plays right, this bike should still be tremendous value for the amount you are getting.

If this is your first ride, though, this is not a beginner bike. If you’re hip deep into writing, you probably don’t want to run $12,000 for your write machine the second you pick up your first book. Always grow into a bike rather than bringing home one you can’t handle out of the gate.

Final Thoughts: Should You Be Getting Excited About the Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z?

Really, what’s my final take on the Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z? In one word: excitement. This is a bike with tremendous potential to shake up the middleweight market, having the right balance of performance, style and price.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. The NS400Z is one bike I think you could get a lot of mileage out of if you were just looking for a bike to do a little bit of everything — commuting, weekend rides and maybe even some longer trips. Raw power isn’t all; it also is the whole package. And we’ve seen so far that Bajaj is on track to do so.

But what about you? How big is my wallet, is the NS400Z the bike for you, or are you after something a little more substantial? Feel free to leave your comments as I’d love to hear them!