We say a lot of things during first rides. Some are praise, some are not. And while some manufacturers respond with a new sticker job and a price hike, Bajaj, it seems, took notes. Proper ones. The new Pulsar NS400Z doesn’t shout about it, but spend five minutes in the saddle and it’s obvious — someone was listening. The engine’s cleaner, the tyres stick, the brakes actually feel like brakes, and the quickshifter? It’s the kind of thing you ask for half-jokingly — and then get. This isn’t a brand-new motorcycle. It’s a sharper reply to everything we said the first time around.
And what we said the first time was pretty clear. The NS400Z, back then, felt like it was still figuring itself out. It looked the part — aggressive, angular, confident — but underneath the attitude was a bike that didn’t quite commit. The throttle response was jerky, the tyres never inspired trust, the brakes demanded a prayer more than pressure, and the heat? Let’s just say it added to the tension.
But this time, things were a bit different. The 373.2cc single-cylinder engine from the Dominar and KTM now made 42.4 bhp — a bump from 39.4 bhp on the previous year’s bike. This was achieved with a revised intake duct, new valve train and a forged piston. Sure, this wasn’t a dramatic leap, it’s what the power did and how it arrived that made the difference. And all this extra power was reserved for the Sport mode.
The way this engine’s been re-tuned ensures that the strong low- and mid-range performance hasn’t been sacrificed. Instead, the added power builds cleanly into a healthier top-end, giving the motor a broader, more usable spread. It now feels less like it’s working around limitations, and more like it’s leaning into its potential. Sport mode also unlocks the bi-directional quickshifter, and with the way this bike now likes to be ridden, you’ll find yourself reaching for that next gear more often — and doing it without the clutch. Things just got a whole lot spicier.
And it’s not just the engine that feels more eager. The whole bike seems to have found its rhythm. Where the earlier NS400Z felt like it was trying to balance aggression with restraint — and often tripped over itself — this one simply gets on with it. Slow-speed riding became less of a chore and high-speed runs more rewarding.
There’s also more trust in the front end — partly down to the Apollo rubber, and partly because the chassis finally feels like it’s not playing catch-up with the engine. Mid-corner corrections don’t unsettle it, and direction changes happen with less resistance. It still needs a firm hand to hustle, but now it responds like it actually wants to be hustled.
The brakes, too, feel like they’ve finally stepped up. On the older NS400Z, I always found myself squeezing the lever harder than I should’ve had to — and still hoping for the best. There was bite, sure, but it felt distant and slightly unsure of itself. This time, though, there’s a noticeable difference. The initial feel is still a bit soft, but now there’s actual progression. I know exactly how much pressure to apply, and more importantly, what the bike’s going to do when I do it.
The new sintered pads up front definitely help, but what really stood out was the consistency. Whether I was braking hard into a corner or just scrubbing speed for a speed bump, the lever feel was confident. Paired with the Apollo tyres, it gave me that rare feeling on Indian roads — that I wasn’t gambling every time I touched the brakes.
So, what’s the final word? Honestly, I didn’t expect to like it this much. I thought it would be one of those quiet, minor updates that makes the brochure look better but changes little on the road. Instead, I got a bike that feels like a proper response. Not just to criticism, but to potential. The NS400Z now feels like the motorcycle it always wanted to be — fast, confident, capable — and finally, complete.
It still has a few rough edges. The rear suspension could’ve been a bit more forgiving, and I wish the dash looked as slick as the spec sheet sounds. But the foundation is solid. More than that, it’s sorted. For under ₹2 lakh, I can’t think of another 400cc bike that gives you this much performance, tech and usable character without asking for compromises in return.
The NS400Z isn’t perfect. But it listens. And that, I’ve realised, might just be the best thing about it.
