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Can we tour on Pulsar NS160?

We can tour on any bike. We can tour on scooty or TVS 50 too. They don’t complain, but it is Not what they meant to be.

NS160 is a powerful, sporty city commuter with adraneline surge pick up and suitable for 3 to 4 hours of weekend sprints.

Tourer – Ride the bike for more than a day, cover 400+ kms per day, sleep at night, ride at day time. Ride for a week or days or more than a day.

Long ride – Ride 200 to 400 km in a day and stop. Single day event.

Sprint – Ride for 75 to 150 kms round trip and stop. This is done within 3 to 5 hours with or without breaks.

NS160 most suitable for weekend sprints with a decent highway speed, though it can be pushed for long ride and touring like any other machine, but it is not what it meant to be.

If you intend to ride NS160 for touring in highway, you can cruise between 80 to 90 km/hr all day without heating issue. In strong wind blast or cross wind, you can cruise around 70 km/hr. Till 90 km/hr speed, you can do overtakes at ease. NS160 is most suitable if your crusing speed is around 80 to 90 km/hr. If you intend to cruise above 100 or 120km/hr speed, you need higher CC bike. I guess, it is illegal to ride motorcycle above 80 km/hr in our country.

In my experience 150/160 CC bikes are not Tourer. For touring, bike needs to have more weight, power, torque, stability in cross or head winds and more comfort and less fatigue.

What type of rider are you? Tourer or Long rider or Sprinter. Most of the weekend rides are Sprint – start in the morning, finish before noon, cover 100+ kms with or without breaks.

If you are a sprinter, 150/160 CC bikes are perfect or An Electric Sport bike with 150 to 200+ km/charge range is sufficient.

I am a Sprinter in motorcycle riding, i enjoy it, i am not a Tourer or long rider, seldom i do long ride, but i prefer sprints and enjoy it.

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Realisation continued with Pulsar NS160 – Matured Cruising speed

Nowadays, i don’t push/compel myself ride fast, i dont control myself to ride slow. I let the speed flow naturally, automatically. I don’t keep on watching Speedo meter or RPM meter to know at what speed i am riding. I ride at the speed which is possible to the situation.

In six lane road, i cruise around 75+ km/hr. In four lane road, i cruise around 55 to 65 km/hr. In two lane or single lane road, i cruise around 35 to 45 km/hr. All these, i ride naturally – not watching speedometer. Speed is reduced or increased depending upon the road and traffic automatically without awareness. I ride with road sense and traffic sense. Just casually i ride my bike. At the same time i dont follow these strictly. Speed i ride is flexible depending upon the conditions.

I don’t control myself to ride around 50 km/hr speed in open stretch. In open stretch, l let the speed flow. I don’t push myself to ride at high speed in small or congested road.

How much speed is speed is relative. On Sunday morning, in less trafficking six lane road, 80+ km/hr does not feel as high speed. On Monday morning, in high trafficking four lane road, 60+ km/hr speed looks risky. Cruising speed varies for same biker and bike depending on road, traffic, wind blast, mood and energy level of rider, power and stability of the bike.

Surprisingly my ability, confidence has increased to cruise at 80+ km/hr speed. I am relaxed both physically and mentally at those speed. This bike dragged me out of my comfort zone and expanded my comfort zone in speed.

I should have purchased Pulsar AS150 instead of Discover 150F 5 years back. Atleast, should have purchased any proper 150 CC bike – say Yamaha FZ or Gixxer or Hornet or Apache. My highway thirst should have been quenched 5 years back itself. I would have relieved from biking obsession 3 or 4 years back. Buying Discover 150F was wrong decision if aim is to tour or cruising. Or sprinting.

For 72 thousand rupees, i purchased Discover 150F. For 72 thousand rupees, i purchased Honda shine. Now for one lakh and thirty thousand rupees, i purchased Pulsar NS160. Totally i spent around 2 lakhs and 70 thousands rupees for biking passion and for highway cruising. I sold my previous bikes for 60 thousands rupees. If i deduct this amount, then my expense is 2 lakhs for biking. If i purchased a proper 150CC sport bike 5 years back, i could have saved 1 lakh rupees.

I am not able to compromise, untill i am completely satisfied. I kept trying/changing till i am satisfied.

My biking quest is satisfied now thoroughly. I am very comfortable at the cruising speed of 150/160 CC bike both in highway and city.

A sedate rider is transformed to sporty or aggressive rider by Pulsar. I don’t say Pulsar NS 160 changed me, but any 150CC sport bike could have changed my riding style. To me it happened through Pulsar NS 160.

For free flow or sporty riding style, i get the mileage around 46 km/ltr.

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Realisation with Pulsar NS160 continued – More Speed

Nowadays, I am able to cruise at 75 km/hr speed comfortably in tail wind. In head or cross wind, i am able to cruise at 65 km/hr comfortably. Both body and mind is relaxed, no fear. My confidence is building up slowly to cruise at high speed.

Earlier, i thought that i could not ride beyond 55 km/hr. Now, i realised that I am able to ride at 70+ km/hr speed comfortably.

Get familiar with the bike, learn how to control the bike, learn the limits of the bike – dos and don’ts with the bike, slowly gain confidence and slowly increase the cruising speed day by day. Find a sweet spot both to me and the bike and settle there. This is the strategy.

Now, my cruising speed is increased from 55 to 75 km/hr.

Cruising speed is decided by many factors. Traffic, road conditions, tail wind, cross wind, head wind, weight of the bike, power of the bike, stability of the bike, breaking confidence of the bike, riding confidence provided by the bike, mood and energy level of rider, and confidence of rider – all influence the cruising speed of the ride. There is no fixed cruising speed for a person or bike.

My confidence is increasing day by day slowly. I will settle in the sweet spot of bike if all the other factors favouring.

Earlier, i thought to sell this bike because it is over powerful to me. That notion is changed now. For the same price – one lakh thirty thousand – I could have purchased old Dominar 400 with dual channel ABS, after gaining confidence, now thinking. ,🤔

Anyway, let me learn to cruise in high speed with the maximum limit of Pulsar NS 160. This is the bike for next 3 years or till loan emi closure.

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Chennai to Kanchipuram on Pulsar NS 160

Up and down from my home( Saligramam) to Kanchipuram is 130 kms.

I rode in 50 to 70 km/hr speed in this trip depending upon the traffic and road conditions. The road has potholes, patches here and there.

I was thinking to sell this bike since it is over powerful to me. But the trip changed my view.

Bike is excellent to ride around 55 km/hr speed or 4500 rpm. I had ridden Discover 150F and Shine around 55 km/hr speed. But the ride quality is better in NS160. More weight and more power, torque are doing some magic.

There is enough power for overtakes when needed. Pulsar NS160 is more stable when compared with my previous bikes.

Planning for 200 kms trip next.

By the way, as on date mileage i get from this bike is 57 km/ltr for my riding style.

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Datsun RediGo – Ownership experience after 5000 kms in 2020

Few long trips (Chennai to Trichy) in this car, completely changed my view about RediGo.

I usually drive around or below 2000 rpm or 70 km/hr speed. So i under estimated the power and pickup of this car. During long trips in highway i went past my sedate speed. I cruised around 90 or 100 km/hr speed with ease and without any vibrations, and the car was stable, all windows closed with AC on. From 2000 to 3000 rpm, acceleration is super. 100 km/hr speed comes at 3000 rpm. During overtakes, acceleration is excellent in this small car segment, mine is 1000cc S variant.

The peppiness, power, pickup are far better than other cars i had driven – Alto 800, Alto K10. RediGo is better.

RediGo may not be sold in numbers when compared to Altos, but it is better than Altos. This is my personal view, experience after driving the car in different speed, went few long trips.

If you want mileage drive below 2000 rpm, if you want fun, performance, peppiness then drive above 2000 rpm. Two in one.

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Cruising in Pulsar NS160

Today, i did a short ride with NS160 – around 80 km round trip. I cruised between 55 to 65 km/hr speed in highway, mostly above 60km/hr. Bike went steadily even in crosswind at these speed range. For quick overtake, i ride upto 70 + km/hr speed, then settled down. Bike inspired confidence while cruising, and overtakes.  I maintained around 5000 RPM to cruise around 60km/hr  speed. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride today. My 5 years of highway quest is satisfied. I am planning for 120 km round trip post monsoon. Probably mid or end of December, i will do this trip.

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Realisation after riding Pulsar NS160

After spending one lakh and thirty thousand rupees for purchasing brand new Pulsar NS160, i realised my comfort zone in riding motorcycles.

My comfortable speed in highway cruising on motorcycles is around 50 km/hr. Both my body and mind is relaxed at such speed. Beyond that wind blast starts which make me uncomfortable while riding.

I rode CT100, Discover 100, Discover 150F, Honda Shine in past. For many years, i was riding around 40 km/hr speed. When bike touring culture obsessed me, i decided to increase my speed. CT100 and Discover 100 did not meet my rising biking spirit. So i purchased Discover 150F.

I was able to cruise between 50 to 60 km/hr speed in highways in Discover 150F. It gave me mileage of 70 km/ltr in highway and 50 km/ltr in city. The problems with this bike were No stability and not inspiring confidence beyond 60 km/hr speed.  Its engine has power to reach 70, 80 km/hr speed easily, but bike lacks stability and not confidence inspiring at such speed.   So this bike did not meet my expectation to cruise above 60 km/hr.  Due to back pain caused by this bike, I sold it and purchased Honda Shine – four gears variant.

Back pain was relieved in Honda Shine.  I was able to cruise at 50 km/hr in Shine.  Beyond that, engine was not smooth and bike was not stable.  So I could not ride above 60 km/hr with Honda Shine.  But Honda shine is the best bike among the bike I ride for city commuting.  Practicality and Handling is beyond comparison in city rides with Honda Shine, If you compromise to ride around 50 km/hr in highway, then Honda shine is best bike for both city and highway.  But my highway quest was not satisfied with Honda shine.  So after riding honda shine for three and half years, I sold it. Then I purchased Pulsar NS160.

For a long time or till I ride Pulsar NS160, I do not know how it is to be cruise at 80 km/hr.

Pulsar NS160 meets my expectation, it could cruise around 80 km/hr( I ride at 70 km/hr), the bike is stable in highways and inspiring confidence to ride.

Now the problem is with me, My body get tensed and mind develops fear while riding at high speed. I get tired soon if I cruise beyond 60 km/hr. Wind blast is more and disturbing beyond 60 km/hr. Physically and Psychologically I am comfortable at speed between 50 to 60 km/hr. Discover 150F kept me cool at its comfort speed. Without any fatigue and tiredness, I was able to ride discover 150F for hours and hours between 50 to 60 km/hr speed. More speed require more attention and conscious. For many years, i was longing to ride a motorcycle at 80 km/hr speed at highway. Now I have the motorcycle with such capability – NS160. Now I know how it is to be cruise at 80 km/hr. But to me the enjoyable speed is 50 to 60 km/hr. I realized this after riding at 80 km/hr. Many sleepless nights with youtube watching about bikes, sold the best bike for my city riding – Honda Shine, sold the best engine i ever ride with power and mileage – Discover 150F (Bajaj should be proud for making this Discover 150F engine) which suits my riding style and comfort speed perfectly.

Now , i have a machine – Pulsar NS160 – which meets my dream in highway cruising but excels my physical and mental speed limit. There is a conflict between dream and reality. Conflict between expectation and practicality. My dream was to ride at high speed, but practically I enjoy slow speed. Until I experience how it is to be cruise at 80 km/hr, I did not realize my comfort speed is between 50 to 60 km/hr.

I spent 1 lakh an 30 thousand to know my comfortable speed, which was satisfied by Discover 150F.

We desire for something without knowing that which will not suit us. We put lot of effort, spend time and money to attain our dream, possess what we desire. After attaining it, we realize, it does not suit us. We can not reverse now.

Luckily, I did not buy 200CC, 250CC, 300CC, 390CC+ motorbikes. They are like over killing , over dose to my riding style. I might be suffering from – Compulsive Speeding urge – if I bought higher CC bikes. I notice many guys speeding their higher capacity bikes in small or narrow streets for the sake of speed.

NS160 is more than sufficient to my riding style. 150/160CC bike is more than enough to me.

Money spent can be earned. But time, time spent is spent, which can not be earned again, the time I spent for watching youtube videos about bikes, the time I spent for reading bike content in internet are lost, and can not be recovered. This hurts me.

If I have not purchased Pulsar NS160, if have not experienced ridding the bike in 80 km/hr, I will be still living with my Riding Illusions, wasting time with youtube and internet.

I stopped watching YouTube videos about bikes, i stopped reading about bikes in internet. I am not passionate about higher CC bikes now, i know my speed now. I am satisfied with the power of 160CC bike which meet and excel my expectation in both city and highway.

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More fun with Pulsar NS160

The bike perform aggressively post 6000 rpm.

If I want mileage, I have to ride around 3500 to 4000 RPM max. I do this while riding in within city – a sedate riding with lot of grunt/pulling power from NS160. In Highway, I cruise between 60 to 70 km/hr speed. In these speed range in city and highway, I get mileage of 50+ km/ltr. My previous honda shine gave 55 km/ltr with less power.

If I want mileage, I ride like below 50km/hr, If I want fun, I ride around 70km/hr.

The bike cruise at 80 km/hr effortlessly and stable. I did not push the bike beyond that, though NS160 BS6 can do more speed, but my personal speed is limited.  I dont want to ride at high speed even in highway.

I did not buy NS200, it is a right decision for my sedate riding style.  I am not going to ride beyond 70 km/hr continuously in highway.  I may touch 80 km/hr for quick overtaking, but not consistently ride at such speed.  Pulsar NS 160 gives sufficient mileage as well power, speed when demanded for matured rider like me.  I dont need NS200 since I am not going to ride at 100+ km/hr speed.  I am not a flash speedster like NS200 guys ride in city or highway.

Pulsar NS160 is inspiring confidence for riding and has sufficient stability for decent speeds.   

Riding posture relieves my tail bone pain, which I used to have when riding in upright posture of commuter bikes.  This is subjective.  I have tail bone pain, so I preferred a slightly forward lean posture, which NS160 provides correctly.

I am planning for a 300km round trip in this bike, post monsoon, mostly in January, I will set out for long trip, till then short trips only.  January, February, till Mid-March are good time for bike touring, there would not be raining or hot Sun in these months.

  

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I purchased Pulsar NS160 BS6

Pulsar NS 160After 3 years of patientcy with Honda shine i bought Pulsar NS160 recently.

I ride this bike around 70 km/hr in highway. This bike can do more, but my comfortable speed is 70 km/hr in highway.

One has to ride this bike to experience its pick up and power as a 150cc motorcycle.

I will write more about my experience with NS160 as i ride more. Stay tuned.

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What to buy – NS 160 or Hornet 2.0

What to buy NS 160 or Hornet 2.0 ? I was obsessed with NS 160 for long time. But, i am afraid to ride Bajaj bikes after having bad experience with Discover 150F. But my passion for NS 160 is not stopped until Hornet 2.0 launched.

Launching of Hornet 2.0 by Honda, shakes my obsession with NS160. Hornet 2.0 is a 180cc bile. It has better torque than NS160. It has broader rear tyre than NS 160. It has upside down forks. It has gear position indicator. But Hornet 2.0 is approximately 20000 rupees more than NS 160

NS 160 has almost same horse power as Hornet 2.0. It has perimeter frame. It has lessor torque than Hornet 2.0. It has less high speed stability compared to Hornet 2.0. It has four valve engine. It has oil cooled engine. It is approximately 20000 rupees cheaper than Hornet 2.0. It has better mileage than Hornet 2.0.

If i purchase NS 160, then i will retain my Honda shine for a while untill I settle down with NS 160 both physically and mentally.