At a Glance
Key differences that define each motorcycle
Hero Xtreme 160R
- 163.2 cc Air-Cooled
- 14.79 bhp @ 8500 rpm
- 49.65 km/l (ARAI)
- 12-litre tank
- 1 variant available
- Single-channel ABS
Bajaj Pulsar NS160
- 160.3 cc Oil-Cooled
- 17.2 PS @ 9000 rpm
- ~44 km/l (Owner reports)
- 12-litre tank
- 2 variants available
- Single / Dual-channel ABS
Full Specification Comparison
Every number that matters — side by side
| Specification | Hero Xtreme 160R | Bajaj Pulsar NS160 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine & Performance | ||
| Displacement | 163.2 cc | 160.3 cc |
| Cooling System | Air Cooled | Oil Cooled |
| Max Power | 14.79 bhp @ 8500 rpm | 17.2 PS @ 9000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 14 Nm @ 6500 rpm | 14.6 Nm @ 7250 rpm |
| Valves per Cylinder | 2 | 4 |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 : 1 | 9.8 ± 0.5 : 1 |
| Bore × Stroke | 57.3 × 63.3 mm | 58 × 60.7 mm |
| Emission Standard | BS6 / OBD2B | BS6 Phase 2 |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual | 5-Speed Manual |
| Top Speed | 107 km/h | ~120 km/h |
| Fuel & Range | ||
| Mileage (ARAI) | 49.65 km/l | Not Claimed |
| Mileage (Real-world) | ~45–48 km/l | ~44 km/l |
| Fuel Tank | 12 litres | 12 litres |
| Reserve Capacity | 1.9 litres | 2.4 litres |
| Riding Range (approx.) | ~596 km | ~528 km |
| Brakes & Wheels | ||
| Braking System | Single-Channel ABS | Single / Dual-Channel ABS |
| Front Brake | Disc – 276 mm | Disc – 300 mm |
| Rear Brake | Drum – 130 mm | Disc – 230 mm |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Tyre Size (F / R) | 100/80-17 / 130/70-17 | 100/80-17 / 130/70-17 |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
| Suspension & Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Fork | Telescopic / USD Fork (top variant) |
| Rear Suspension | 7-Step Adjustable Monoshock | Nitrox Monoshock |
| Chassis | Tubular Diamond Frame | Perimeter Frame |
| Rear Preload Adjuster | Yes (7-step) | Yes |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Kerb Weight | 138.5 kg | 152 kg |
| Seat Height | 790 mm | 805 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 165 mm | 170 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1327 mm | 1372 mm |
| Overall L × W × H | 2029 × 793 × 1052 mm | 2017 × 804 × 1060 mm |
| Features & Electronics | ||
| Instrument Console | Fully Digital LCD | Digital LCD |
| Headlight | LED | LED Projector |
| DRLs | Yes | Yes |
| Turn Signals | LED | Halogen |
| Tail Light | LED | LED |
| Hazard Warning Lights | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | No | Yes |
| USB Charging Port | No | Yes |
| Gear Indicator | No | Yes |
| Distance to Empty | No | Yes |
| Service Reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Riding Modes | No | No |
| Traction Control | No | No |
| Keyless Ignition | No | No |
| Price & Warranty | ||
| Starting Price (ex-showroom) | ₹1,05,667 | ₹1,21,109 |
| Top Variant Price | ₹1,05,667 | ₹1,29,487 |
| Number of Variants | 1 | 2 |
| Standard Warranty | 5 Years / 70,000 km | 2 Years / 30,000 km |
★ Green highlights indicate the stronger value in each row. Prices are ex-showroom India averages and may vary by city.
Variant-wise Price Comparison
All variants laid out — find the right one for your budget
Hero Xtreme 160R Variants
Bajaj Pulsar NS160 Variants
Pros & Cons
Honest strengths and weaknesses of each bike
Pros
- Significantly lighter at 138.5 kg — 13.5 kg less than NS160
- Better ARAI-certified mileage (49.65 km/l)
- Much lower starting price — ₹15,442 cheaper at base
- Full LED lighting — headlight, tail, DRLs and turn signals
- Hazard warning lights standard
- Lower accessible seat height (790 mm vs 805 mm)
- Outstanding 5-year / 70,000 km warranty
- 7-step adjustable rear monoshock for fine-tuned comfort
Cons
- Lower power — 14.79 bhp vs 17.2 PS
- Air-cooled engine heats up more in slow traffic
- Only 2 valves per cylinder
- Rear drum brake instead of disc
- Smaller front disc (276 mm vs 300 mm)
- No Bluetooth connectivity or USB charging
- No gear indicator
- Single variant — no upgrade path
Pros
- Higher peak power — 17.2 PS @ 9000 rpm
- Oil-cooled engine stays cooler in stop-go traffic
- 4-valve engine for better high-rpm performance
- Perimeter frame delivers superior handling precision
- Dual disc brakes (front 300 mm + rear 230 mm) on both variants
- Dual-channel ABS available on top variant
- USD front forks on top variant
- Bluetooth connectivity and USB charging port
- Gear indicator and distance-to-empty display
- Better ground clearance (170 mm vs 165 mm)
- Higher top speed (~120 km/h)
Cons
- Heavier at 152 kg
- Higher starting price (₹1,21,109)
- Lower real-world mileage (~44 km/l, no ARAI claim)
- Much shorter warranty (2 years vs 5 years)
- Taller seat height (805 mm) — may challenge shorter riders
- Halogen turn signals (not LED)
- No hazard warning lights
Key Differences Explained
What really sets these two bikes apart
Engine Character
The Xtreme 160R uses a 163.2 cc air-cooled, 2-valve engine tuned for accessible city performance and good fuel economy. The NS160 uses a 160.3 cc oil-cooled, 4-valve DTS-i engine that revs harder to 9000 rpm, producing 17.2 PS — making it noticeably more powerful and performance-oriented.
Fuel Efficiency & Range
The Xtreme 160R has a certified ARAI mileage of 49.65 km/l and an estimated range of 596 km from its 12-litre tank. The NS160 does not claim an official ARAI figure and returns ~44 km/l in real-world use, giving it around 528 km per fill from the same 12-litre tank.
Braking & Safety
The NS160 has a clear braking advantage — both variants come with dual-disc setup (300 mm front + 230 mm rear disc), with the top variant adding dual-channel ABS. The Xtreme 160R gets a smaller 276 mm front disc with a drum rear, and only single-channel ABS. Full LED turn signals and hazard lights on the Xtreme 160R partially offset this by improving visibility.
Weight & Handling
The Xtreme 160R is significantly lighter at 138.5 kg versus the NS160's 152 kg — a difference of 13.5 kg that makes the Hero noticeably more agile and easier to manage in city traffic. The NS160 compensates with its stiffer perimeter frame chassis, which delivers class-leading cornering stability and feedback at speed.
Warranty & Ownership
The Hero Xtreme 160R offers a vastly superior 5-year / 70,000 km warranty versus the NS160's 2-year / 30,000 km coverage. For daily commuters who keep bikes for several years, this difference in warranty protection is substantial.
Price & Value
The Hero Xtreme 160R starts at ₹1,05,667 — ₹15,442 cheaper than the NS160's ₹1,21,109 base price. The gap widens to ₹23,820 against the NS160's top variant (₹1,29,487). The Xtreme 160R delivers competitive specs at a significantly lower price point, backed by a far superior warranty.
Expert Verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
Buy the Hero Xtreme 160R if…
- You want the best value for money in the 160cc class
- Lightweight handling (138.5 kg) is important for city riding
- The 5-year / 70,000 km warranty gives you long-term peace of mind
- Full LED lighting all-round (including turn signals) matters
- You prefer a lower seat height (790 mm)
- Budget is a priority — starts ₹15,442 cheaper
- Better certified fuel economy is important to you
Buy the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 if…
- You want the most powerful 160cc streetfighter in this segment
- You enjoy revving hard and spirited performance riding
- Dual-disc brakes and dual-channel ABS are priorities
- The perimeter frame's cornering precision appeals to you
- USD forks and premium chassis hardware matter to you
- Bluetooth connectivity and USB charging are useful features
- Highway speed stability and ground clearance are important
Overall Winner for Most Riders: Hero Xtreme 160R. At ₹15,442 less than the NS160's base price, the Xtreme 160R delivers a lighter, more agile motorcycle with better certified mileage, full LED lighting, hazard warning lights, and a class-leading 5-year warranty. For everyday city commuting and value-focused buyers, these advantages are hard to overlook. Choose the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 only if outright engine performance, perimeter frame handling, dual-disc braking, or the thrill of a hard-revving oil-cooled engine are your top priorities — and you're comfortable with the significantly higher price and shorter warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered by our experts
The Hero Xtreme 160R is better for most buyers due to its significantly lower price (₹1,05,667 vs ₹1,21,109), lighter weight (138.5 kg vs 152 kg), certified ARAI mileage (49.65 km/l), full LED lighting, and outstanding 5-year warranty. The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 is better if you want more power (17.2 PS), dual-disc brakes, a premium perimeter frame chassis, optional USD forks, Bluetooth connectivity, and dual-channel ABS.
The Hero Xtreme 160R starts at ₹1,05,667 while the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 starts at ₹1,21,109 ex-showroom — a difference of ₹15,442 at the base level. Against the NS160's top variant (₹1,29,487), the gap widens to ₹23,820. Both prices are for India and may vary by city.
The Hero Xtreme 160R has better certified mileage at 49.65 km/l (ARAI). The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 does not have an official ARAI mileage claim and delivers approximately 44 km/l in real-world conditions according to owner reports. Both bikes share a 12-litre tank, so the Xtreme 160R's better efficiency also translates to a longer riding range (~596 km vs ~528 km).
The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 is considerably more powerful — 17.2 PS @ 9000 rpm and 14.6 Nm of torque, versus the Hero Xtreme 160R's 14.79 bhp @ 8500 rpm and 14 Nm. The NS160 also uses a 4-valve, oil-cooled engine that breathes more freely at high revs, while the Xtreme 160R uses a simpler 2-valve, air-cooled unit tuned for everyday use.
The Hero Xtreme 160R offers a significantly better warranty of 5 years or 70,000 km compared to the Bajaj Pulsar NS160's 2 years or 30,000 km. This is one of the biggest practical advantages of the Xtreme 160R, as it provides far greater protection against unexpected repair costs over the long term.
No. The Hero Xtreme 160R uses a rear drum brake (130 mm) paired with a 276 mm front disc and single-channel ABS. In contrast, both variants of the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 come with a rear disc brake (230 mm) and a larger 300 mm front disc, with the top variant also offering dual-channel ABS.