The all-new 160 Duke has finally been launched by KTM in our market, making it the most powerful product in its segment
In this post, we compare the new KTM 160 Duke and Bajaj Pulsar NS160 on the basis of specs, prices and features. Both of these are extremely capable motorcycles. In essence, these are designed for all those buyers who wish to experience something sporty without breaking the bank. Hence, it is a relatively niche market space. Nevertheless, companies like Bajaj and KTM ensure that the potential riders are able to own something which offers decent performance without the price tag of a sports bike. That is where products like the NS160 and 160 Duke come into the picture. Let us now witness a detailed comparison between these two.
New KTM 160 Duke vs Bajaj Pulsar NS160 – Price Comparison
Let us commence this comparison on the basis of price. We know that this plays the most crucial role in a price-sensitive market like India. Hence, a lot of people decide which motorcycle to purchase purely based on their price tags. The newly launched KTM 160 Duke bears a retail sticker of Rs 1,84,998, ex-showroom Delhi. The bike is available in Electronic Orange, Atlantic Blue and Silver Metallic Matte colours. On the other hand, the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 carries a price tag of Rs 1,30,355, ex-showroom. It is on sale with 4 colours – Ebony Black, Cocktail Wine Red, Pewter Grey and Pearl Metallic White. Hence, it has a distinct advantage over the KTM.
| Price | KTM 160 Duke | Bajaj Pulsar NS160 |
| Ex-Showroom | Rs 1,84,998 | Rs 1,30,355 |
New KTM 160 Duke vs Bajaj Pulsar NS160 – Specs Comparison
The new KTM 160 Duke boasts a lightweight 164.2 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine, which generates a cool 19 PS of power @9,500 RPM and 15.5 Nm of torque @7,500 RPM. These are class-leading figures. At the front, it has the 320 mm disc brake, while at the rear, there is a 230 mm disc. Also, you will get 17-inch alloy wheels at the front and rear. The fuel tank capacity is 10.1 litres and the ground clearance is a healthy 174 mm and the wheelbase is 1,357 mm. Finally, it weighs around 147 kg.
Taking care of the comfort of the riders, there is a WP Apex fork with a hollow axle and a split trellis frame. Apart from that, the light wheels and lighter hugger tube reduce the unsprung mass, while the casted pillion step holder and functional grab rail accentuate the aesthetics and ergonomics. All these factors contribute nicely towards making the KTM 160 Duke a potent performance motorcycle. There is no reason to believe that this won’t be the most attractive element of this bike to attract new buyers.
On the other hand, the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 is also a powerful motorcycle. It comes with a 160.3-cc oil-cooled single-cylinder engine that produces a healthy 17.2 PS @9,000 RPM and 14.6 Nm @7,250 RPM of power and torque, respectively. There are disc brakes at the front and rear with 300 mm disc and 230 mm disc, respectively. The 6-speed transmission with wet multiplate clutch enables a spirited performance. The wheelbase of this motorcycle is 1,372 mm, which is slightly better than the Duke.
In addition to that, the ground clearance of 170 mm is marginally lower than the Duke. However, the 12-litre fuel tank will certainly attract more buyers because of less frequent stops between refuelling. The bike has a kerb weight of 152 kg. At the front, it gets upside down forks, while the rear gets Nitrox mono shock absorbers with a canister. Braking performance is impressive with a dual-channel ABS setup. Just like the Duke, there are 17-inch alloys.
| Specs | KTM 160 Duke | Bajaj Pulsar NS160 |
| Engine | 164.2 cc | 160.3-cc |
| Power | 19 PS | 17.2 PS |
| Torque | 15.5 Nm | 14.6 Nm |
| Front Disc | 320 mm | 300 mm |
| Rear Disc | 230 mm | 230 mm |
| Wheels (F/R) | 17-inch | 17-inch |
| Wheelbase | 1,357 mm | 1,372 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 174 mm | 170 mm |
Features Comparison
We know that modern bikes come with all the latest tech and connectivity amenities to pamper the users. In fact, new-age buyers want the bells and whistles in their motorcycle. Hence, it becomes a critical parameter while choosing a new motorbike. Some of the top highlights of the new KTM 160 Duke include things like a 5-inch LCD display, off-road ABS, LED headlamp, navigation, SuperMoto mode, ride-by-wire throttle, LED taillamps, crawling feature, Bluetooth, KTM connect, etc.
Similarly, the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 is loaded with the latest features. The main attractions are digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, USB charging port, call/SMS alert, digital speedometer, tachometer and odometer, passenger footrest, riding modes (Rain, Road, Off-road), engine kill switch, vehicle location tracking and more.
In essence, choosing between these two can be quite tricky. However, it really depends on your personal preference. If you want pure performance and have a flexible budget, going for the KTM 160 Duke makes a lot of sense. It is the most powerful product in this category. However, if you can compromise with the performance a little and wish to save a significant sum of money, the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 is as attractive as ever. In any case, you can’t go wrong with either of these compelling propositions.
Also Read: Bajaj Pulsar N150 vs NS160 Drag Race Has an Interesting Result!
