At a Glance
Key differences that define each motorcycle
Honda SP 160
- 162.71 cc Air-Cooled
- 13.18 PS @ 7500 rpm
- ~50 km/l (Owner Reported)
- 12-litre tank
- 2 variants available
- Single-channel ABS (both variants)
Bajaj Pulsar NS160
- 160.3 cc Oil-Cooled
- 17.2 PS @ 9000 rpm
- ~44 km/l (Owner Reported)
- 12-litre tank
- 2 variants available
- Dual-channel ABS (top variant)
Full Specification Comparison
Every number that matters — side by side
| Specification | Honda SP 160 | Pulsar NS160 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine & Performance | ||
| Displacement | 162.71 cc | 160.3 cc |
| Cooling System | Air Cooled | Oil Cooled |
| Max Power | 13.18 PS @ 7500 rpm | 17.2 PS @ 9000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 14.58 Nm @ 5500 rpm | 14.6 Nm @ 7250 rpm |
| Valves per Cylinder | 2 | 4 |
| Compression Ratio | 10.01 : 1 | 9.8 ± 0.5 : 1 |
| Bore × Stroke | 57.3 × 63.09 mm | 58 × 60.7 mm |
| Emission Standard | BS6 Phase 2 (OBD2) | BS6 Phase 2 |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual | 5-Speed Manual |
| Top Speed | ~110 km/h | ~120 km/h |
| Fuel & Range | ||
| Mileage (ARAI) | Not Claimed | Not Claimed |
| Mileage (Real-world) | ~50 km/l | ~44 km/l |
| Fuel Tank | 12 litres | 12 litres |
| Reserve Capacity | 1.9 litres | 2.4 litres |
| Riding Range | ~600 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 (Single Disc) / Disc – 220 mm (Double Disc) | Disc – 230 mm |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Tyre Size (F / R) | 80/100-17 / 130/70-17 | 100/80-17 / 130/70-17 |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
| Suspension & Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Fork | Telescopic Fork / USD Fork (top variant) |
| Rear Suspension | Mono Shock | Nitrox Monoshock |
| Chassis | Diamond Frame | Perimeter Frame |
| Rear Preload Adjuster | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Kerb Weight | 138 kg | 152 kg |
| Seat Height | 796 mm | 805 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 177 mm | 170 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1347 mm | 1372 mm |
| Overall L × W × H | 2061 × 786 × 1135 mm | 2017 × 804 × 1060 mm |
| Features & Electronics | ||
| Instrument Console | Fully Digital LCD | Digital LCD |
| Headlight | LED | LED Projector |
| DRLs | Yes | Yes |
| Turn Signals | Halogen | Halogen |
| Hazard Warning Lights | No | No |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Call & SMS Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| USB Charging Port | Yes | Yes |
| Gear Indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | No | No |
| Riding Modes | No | No |
| Keyless Ignition | No | No |
| Price & Warranty | ||
| Starting Price (ex-showroom) | ₹1,15,556 | ₹1,21,109 |
| Top Variant Price | ₹1,21,066 | ₹1,29,487 |
| Number of Variants | 2 | 2 |
| Standard Warranty | 3 Years / 42,000 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
Honda SP 160 Variants
Pulsar NS160 Variants
Pros & Cons
Honest strengths and weaknesses of each bike
Pros
- Superior real-world fuel efficiency (~50 km/l)
- Significantly lighter at 138 kg — easiest to handle
- Honda's renowned engine refinement and low vibrations
- Better ground clearance (177 mm vs 170 mm)
- Lower starting price (₹1,15,556)
- Better warranty — 3 years / 42,000 km
- Longer riding range (~600 km per tank)
- Upright ergonomics ideal for daily commuting
Cons
- Significantly lower peak power (13.18 PS vs 17.2 PS)
- Air-cooled 2-valve engine — less performance-oriented
- Only single-channel ABS — no dual-channel option
- Narrower front tyre (80/100-17)
- Halogen turn signals (not LED)
- No hazard warning lights
Pros
- Higher peak power – 17.2 PS @ 9000 rpm
- Oil-cooled 4-valve engine for stronger performance
- Perimeter frame for superior cornering stability
- Dual-channel ABS on the top variant
- USD front forks on the top variant
- LED projector headlight
- Larger 300 mm front disc brake
- Aggressive streetfighter styling
Cons
- Lower real-world mileage (~44 km/l)
- Heavier at 152 kg — less nimble in tight spaces
- Higher starting price (₹1,21,109)
- Shorter warranty — only 2 years / 30,000 km
- High-rpm vibrations noticeable
- Instrument cluster feels dated compared to rivals
- Halogen turn signals (not LED)
- No hazard warning lights
Key Differences Explained
What really sets these two bikes apart
Engine Character
The SP 160 uses a 162.71 cc air-cooled, 2-valve Honda engine tuned for smooth, linear power delivery and everyday refinement at 13.18 PS. The NS160 uses a 160.3 cc oil-cooled, 4-valve unit producing 17.2 PS that revs hard and delivers strong mid-range and top-end performance — a gap of nearly 4 PS between them.
Fuel Efficiency & Range
The SP 160 returns approximately 50 km/l in real-world conditions — significantly better than the NS160's ~44 km/l. Both bikes share a 12-litre tank, but the SP 160's efficiency advantage translates to roughly 72 km more range per fill (~600 km vs ~528 km).
Braking & Safety
The NS160 has a larger 300 mm front disc vs the SP 160's 276 mm, and offers dual-channel ABS on its top variant. However, the SP 160's base variant includes a disc rear brake upgrade option (Double Disc variant). Neither bike offers dual-channel ABS across all variants — the NS160 reserves it only for the top trim.
Warranty & Ownership
The SP 160 comes with a 3-year / 42,000 km warranty compared to the NS160's 2-year / 30,000 km coverage. The SP 160 also benefits from Honda's vast service network across India, which typically means wider availability and more competitive servicing costs.
Price & Value
The SP 160 starts at ₹1,15,556 — about ₹5,553 less than the NS160's ₹1,21,109 base price. The SP 160's top variant (₹1,21,066) is also more affordable than the NS160's top variant (₹1,29,487), making the Honda the better value option across both trim levels.
Ride & Handling
The SP 160 is 14 kg lighter (138 kg vs 152 kg) making it noticeably more agile in city traffic. The NS160 counters with a perimeter frame chassis, a longer 1372 mm wheelbase (vs 1347 mm), and USD forks on the top variant — giving it better stability at speed and more confidence-inspiring cornering dynamics.
Expert Verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
Buy the Honda SP 160 if…
- Fuel efficiency and lower running costs are priorities
- You do 30+ km daily commuting in city traffic
- Engine smoothness and vibration-free riding matter
- You prefer a lighter, easier-to-handle motorcycle
- Honda reliability and a wider service network appeal to you
- You want a longer warranty (3 years vs 2 years)
Buy the Pulsar NS160 if…
- You want significantly stronger performance (17.2 PS)
- You enjoy spirited riding and revving hard
- The NS-series streetfighter design appeals to you
- Chassis dynamics and cornering stability are priorities
- You want dual-channel ABS and USD forks on the top variant
- Highway stability and a longer wheelbase matter to you
Overall Winner for Most Riders: Honda SP 160. Better fuel efficiency, a lower price across both variants, a lighter chassis, higher ground clearance, a longer warranty and Honda's trusted reliability make the SP 160 the smarter choice for the majority of daily commuters. Choose the Pulsar NS160 only if outright performance — that 17.2 PS oil-cooled engine, the perimeter frame, and the aggressive streetfighter character — matter more to you than running economy and refinement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered by our experts
The Honda SP 160 is better for most buyers who prioritise fuel efficiency (~50 km/l vs ~44 km/l), a lighter chassis, Honda's engine refinement and a longer warranty (3 years / 42,000 km). The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 is better if you want significantly more power (17.2 PS vs 13.18 PS), a sportier oil-cooled 4-valve engine, a perimeter frame chassis for sharper handling, and dual-channel ABS on the top variant.
The Honda SP 160 starts at ₹1,15,556 while the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 starts at ₹1,21,109 ex-showroom. The NS160 is approximately ₹5,553 more expensive at the base variant level. At the top variant level, the SP 160 Double Disc (₹1,21,066) is around ₹8,421 cheaper than the NS160 Dual Channel ABS USD (₹1,29,487). Both prices are for India and may vary by city.
The Honda SP 160 has significantly better real-world mileage at approximately 50 km/l according to owner reports. The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 delivers approximately 44 km/l in real-world conditions. Neither bike has an official ARAI mileage claim. For daily commuters, the SP 160's mileage advantage of around 6 km/l adds up to meaningful fuel savings over time.
The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 makes significantly more power at 17.2 PS @ 9000 rpm compared to the Honda SP 160's 13.18 PS @ 7500 rpm — a difference of nearly 4 PS. The NS160 also uses an oil-cooled 4-valve engine that revs higher and delivers much stronger performance at the top end, making it the clear winner for riders who prioritise outright power.
The Honda SP 160 offers a better warranty of 3 years or 42,000 km compared to the Bajaj Pulsar NS160's 2 years or 30,000 km. This is a meaningful advantage for the SP 160, particularly for buyers who are concerned about long-term ownership costs and reliability.
Neither bike offers dual-channel ABS across all its variants. The Honda SP 160 comes only with single-channel ABS on both its variants — there is no dual-channel option available. The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 offers single-channel ABS on the base variant and dual-channel ABS only on its top variant (₹1,29,487). If dual-channel ABS is important to you, the NS160's top variant is the only option between these two bikes.
The Honda SP 160 can handle occasional highway rides comfortably, cruising at around 80–90 km/h. However, its 13.18 PS engine and 110 km/h top speed mean it is primarily designed for city commuting rather than extended highway use. For frequent highway riders, the Bajaj Pulsar NS160's stronger engine (17.2 PS, ~120 km/h top speed) and more stable perimeter frame make it the better choice.