Bajaj Auto has unleashed its latest 400cc motorcycle, the Pulsar NS400Z, priced at Rs 1.85 lakh. With this aggressive pricing, the new Pulsar significantly undercuts its sibling, the Dominar 400. The new Pulsar NS400Z takes on two segments, the under 300cc class and the 400cc. We have shortlisted the NS400Z’s competition based on engine capacity and not on price.
Bajaj NS400Z competition check: Bajaj Dominar 400
Both the NS400Z and the Dominar 400 share the same 373cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled powertrain with an output of 39.5 bhp and 35 Nm of torque and a 6-speed gearbox. The new Pulsar NS400Z is equipped with four ride modes — Road, Rain, Sport and Off-Road, switchable traction control and ABS Ride Modes namely Road, Rain and Offroad. The LCD instrument console offers Bluetooth Connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation and ride-by-wire throttle. The Dominar 400 is pretty much bare basics and gets a slipper clutch along with an LCD console. Both the bikes get full-LED lights, USD front forks and dual-channel ABS.
Price: Rs 2.31 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.
Bajaj NS400Z competition check: Hero Maverick 440
The Hero Maverick 440 has the lowest power output in this comparison. The 27 bhp 440cc air-oil cooled single cylinder engine churns out 36 Nm of torque and is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Like the Bajaj siblings, the Hero motorcycle has an LED lighting set-up along with an all-digital rider’s console. With Bluetooth connectivity, a mobile phone can be paired to the instrument cluster which sends missed call alerts and a turn-by-turn navigation system. Unlike the other motorcycles featured in this comparison, the Maverick 440 is equipped with a 7-step adjustable twin shock. It is equipped with a 320mm front disc brake along with a 240mm disc at the rear. The Maverick 440 is available in three variants — Base, Mid and Top.
Price: Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.24 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.
Bajaj NS400Z competition check: Triumph Speed 400
Contrary to popular beliefs, the Triumph Speed 400 doesn’t use the same Dominar 400 engine. A 398cc 4-valve liquid-cooled engine has an output of 39.5 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 37.5 Nm at 6,500 rpm along with a 6-speed gearbox. It is the only motorcycle in this comparison that sports an old-school analogue instrument cluster with a multi-information LCD screen that reads out the trip meter, odometer, gear indicator and fuel gauge. It also comes with a switchable traction control and torque assist clutch. The Speed 400 gets a 300mm front disc, the smallest in this comparison, with a 230mm disc at the rear.Â
Price: Rs 2.34 lakh, ex-showroom
Bajaj NS400Z competition check: KTM 390 Duke
The KTM 390 Duke is the most powerful motorcycle in this comparison as it is powered by a 399cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled motor with an output of 45 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 39 Nm at 6,500 rpm. It is the most feature-laden motorcycle in its class as it offers Launch Control, a 5-inch TFT screen, three ride modes — Street, Rain and Track and assist and a slipper clutch. The KTM 390 Duke is also equipped with cornering ABS and Supermoto ABS as a standard feature. It has a 320mm front disc brake and a 240mm disc at the rear.
Price: Starting from 3.12 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi
