Key highlights
- Bajaj Auto plans to update the Pulsar NS400Z with a 349cc engine
- There will be no change in the ex-showroom price however, effective OTR price could reduce
- The motorcycle will continue to carry the NS400Z brand name
The GST norms introduces six months ago has forced brands like Bajaj, Triumph to downsize the capacity of their 400cc motorcycles to 349cc. The Triumph line-up has already seen the change followed by the Bajaj Dominar 400. The KTMs will follow soon. However, the latest bike to get the new motor will be the Pulsar NS400Z.
What’s changing
Do not expect any changes visually. The motorcycle will remain the same in terms of its design and cycle parts. The major change is the engine. It has been hunkered down to a capacity of 349cc. Bajaj has played around with the stroke, combustion chambers, valve timing, air intake, etc. to ensure that there is no major dip in performance.
The Pulsar NS400Z used to produce 42.4 PS and 35 Nm of peak torque from its 373cc engine. The 349cc motor will produce 40 PS and 33.2 Nm of torque. This is not a major difference and would hardly be perceivable.
Price drop
The Pulsar NS400Z is priced at Rs 1.94 lakh ex-showroom. While there is no change expected in this price, the on-road price can see a huge difference. Primarily, the motorcycle will attract only an 18% GST instead of 40%. Secondly, the insurance cost will go down by almost 50% as the insurance premiums are different for bikes below 350cc.
Other motorcycles from the Bajaj family
The Dominar 400 has already been updated with the new engine. Triumph motorcycles has also updated their entire 400 line-up with the new 349cc motor. The KTM 390 series will also get the update soon. There will be one difference with the KTMs though. While, Bajaj and Triumph have not changed the names of their bikes, the KTM 390 series will be renamed as 350 once launched. Recent price hike in the 390 series also suggests that the 390 series will continue to be on sale alongside the 350 series for some time.
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