N160

Pulsar N160 Companion

Buy · PDI · Own · Maintain — one reference
WARRANTY 5YR / 75,000KM · 1ST OWNER ONLY

Documents to Bring

For registration paperwork — bring both the original and a photocopy of each.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy

PDI & Delivery-Day Checks

Do these hands-on, at the shop, before you sign for delivery — not after you've ridden it home.

Accessories & Protection

Decide what to fit before you ride off — some of these (meter cover, especially) matter from day one.

First-Week Care

Small habits that matter most in the first few hundred kilometres.

Dashboard

Type in your current odometer reading — this works out where you stand in the service schedule, just like the wrench icon on your real speedometer.

km
🔧
— km
Enter your odometer reading above
Next serviceSVC —
Due at— km
Oil action
Cost type

Engine

Type164.82cc, air-cooled
Power16 PS @ 8750 rpm
Torque14.65 Nm @ 6750
Gearbox5-speed, 1-down 4-up

Fuel & Weight

Tank14 L (no reserve)
Compatible fuelE10 / E20
Kerb weight152 kg
Ground clearance165 mm

Tyres

Front100/80-17
Rear130/70-17
Pressure F25 PSI
Pressure R (solo/pillion)28 / 32 PSI

Daily Safety Checks

The manual is blunt about this: skip these and you risk real damage or an accident. Two minutes before every ride.

0 / 11 checked

Service Schedule

First 3 services are free. After that, service every 5,000 km (or 120 days, whichever comes first) to keep the warranty valid. "Major" flags mark milestones with extra work — air filter, spark plug, brake pads, fork oil, etc.

#Due (km)TypeEngine oilNotes

What actually happens at each visit

From Bajaj's full 39-point maintenance chart. Every visit includes the standard checks (fluids, lights, cables, fasteners) — this picks out what's extra or due at that specific mileage.

Chart code legend

C Check  ·  A Adjust  ·  R Replace/Renew  ·  CL Clean  ·  L Lubricate  ·  T Tighten  ·  Standard service check

Running-In & Key Measurements

The numbers you actually need with a wrench in hand — running-in speed limits, shift points, and every clearance/torque spec from the manual in one place.

⚠ First 2,000 km — running-in period Don't rev hard or hold high speeds in this window. It lets the engine's moving parts seat properly, and directly affects how long the engine lasts.

Running-In Speed Limits by Gear (km/h)

Distance1st2nd3rd4th5th
0 – 1,000 km1020304050
1,000 – 2,000 km2030405060

Also: don't start moving or rev right after starting — idle for about a minute first so oil circulates. Never rev the engine while standing still.

Recommended Downshift Speeds

Shift down before you're below these speeds — downshifting too late makes the rpm jump excessively and can damage the engine or skid the rear wheel.

5th → 4th57 km/h
4th → 3rd45 km/h
3rd → 2nd33 km/h
2nd → 1st17 km/h

Clearances & Free Play

Spark plug gap0.8 – 0.9 mm
Throttle cable free play2 – 3 mm
Clutch lever free play2 – 3 mm
Drive chain slack20 – 30 mm
Idling speed1400 ± 100 rpm
Compression ratio10.3 ± 0.3 : 1

Torque Values (kgf-m)

Front & rear axle8 – 10
Swing arm axle13 – 15
Engine mount (front bottom)4 – 4.2
Engine mount (front top)2.8 – 3
Rider footrest1.8 – 2.2
Pillion stay1.8 – 2.2

Fluids, Chain & Battery

The four things that quietly determine how long this bike lasts.

🛢️ Engine Oil

GradeBajaj 20W50 (BS6)
SpecSAE 20W50 · JASO MA2 · API SN
Replace1st service, then every 10,000 km
Top-upEvery 5,000 km
Capacity (refill)1250 ml
Capacity (overhaul)1450 ml

🩸 Brake Fluid

SpecDOT-4 only, sealed container
Replace every30,000 km
Check levelMust stay above MIN mark
ReservoirsFront (RH bar) · Rear (behind pillion bracket)
Never mixDifferent fluid brands/types

⛓️ Drive Chain

TypeSealed, O-ring
Lubricate every500 km
Correct slack20–30 mm
UseBajaj Chain Lube Spray
Adjuster marksMust match both sides

🔋 Battery

Type12V 4Ah VRLA (sealed, no topping up)
LocationBelow rider seat
Warranty18 months from purchase
Storage > 2 weeksDisconnect +/- terminals
AvoidExtra accessories (loud horn, remotes) — drains it & can damage ECU

🌧️ Monsoon & Cleaning Quick Rules

• Never ride through deep/flooded water.
• If the bike stalls or gets submerged, do not try to restart it — push it to a workshop.
• Clean & lubricate the chain more often in the rainy season.
• Wash with low-pressure water only (max 20 bar, 2m distance, <10 sec per spot).

• Never spray water directly at the air intake, throttle body, or electricals.
• Use a neutral-pH bike cleaner — no household detergents.
• After washing, tap the brakes gently at low speed to dry the pads.
• Fogged headlight lens after rain/wash is normal; see a dealer only if water pools inside.

ABS & Ride Modes

This is a dual-channel ABS bike — both wheels are protected against lock-up. Switch modes with a double-tap of the Mode button on the left switch, at zero throttle.

Road Mode (default)

Balanced braking for everyday dry city and highway riding. Optimal stopping power without sacrificing stability. This is what the bike resets to if a system error is detected.

Rain Mode

Built for wet, slippery roads. ABS intervenes earlier and more gently, shortening braking distance and reducing wheel slip. Switch to this the moment the road gets wet — don't wait.

Off-Road Mode

For broken roads and village tracks. Allows a bit of controlled sliding for better traction on loose surfaces. Can only be selected below 20 km/h.

How mode selection works Double-tap Mode → the next mode blinks → close the throttle fully to confirm → wait for it to stop blinking and go steady. If it reverts to the old mode, the system rejected the change (usually a speed condition).

Dashboard Warnings & Warranty

What actually needs your attention, what can wait, and what only looks scary but is the bike working as designed.

⚠ Needs action

🔴 Low oil pressure light stays on while the engine is running Stop the bike. Check oil level before continuing — running low on oil pressure can damage the engine fast.
🔴 ABS light stays on above 5 km/h There's a fault in the ABS system. Ride carefully and get it inspected at an authorised workshop soon.
🟡 Malfunction Indicator (FI light) stays on after the engine starts Something's off in the fuel-injection system. Not always urgent, but don't ignore it — get it scanned.
🟡 "ABS mode err" message on the top display The system detected an error and reverted to default Road mode. Get the ABS checked at a workshop.
🟡 Wrench icon glows on the display Just the service reminder — it lights up shortly before your next service is due (see the Service Schedule tab). Not a fault, just a nudge.
🟡 Fuel icon blinking You're down to 1 bar or less. Fill up soon — remember, this tank has no reserve position.
🔵 Battery seems dead Don't try push-starting — this bike uses fuel injection and a clutch safety switch, so push-starting won't work anyway. Get the battery checked/charged at a workshop instead.

✅ Feels like a problem, but it's normal

Oil pressure & FI lights glow right after ignition ONBoth stay lit until the engine actually starts — that's expected. The problem is only if they stay on after the engine is running.
Headlight won't turn on with just the ignition keyBy design, the headlamp only switches on once the engine is running (rpm-controlled). Key "ON" alone won't light it — that's not a bulb fault.
Daytime running light (DRL) dims when you switch the headlight onDRL runs at high intensity with the headlight off and engine on, then automatically drops to low intensity once you turn the headlight on. It's not a failing LED.
Bluetooth icon disappears a few seconds after ignition ONIt blinks for about 10 seconds, then hides — but it's still working in the background, ready to pair with the Bajaj Ride Connect app.
ABS icon lit while stationary or moving slowlyNormal — it stays on below 5 km/h with the ignition on, and goes off once you're above that speed.
Bike won't self-start with the side stand down and in gearBuilt-in safety interlock. "Side stand" shows on the display as a reminder — flip the stand up and it'll start normally.
Engine cuts out on its own when leaned over sharplyIf the bike tips past 60°, the roll-over sensor cuts ignition automatically. It's a crash-safety feature, not a stall.
Engine won't crank again immediately after a failed start attemptThe starter has a built-in cooldown (5 sec crank, then a short pause; longer pause after 3 tries) to protect the battery — it's not dying, it's just cycling.
Headlight lens looks foggy after rain or a washTemporary condensation — normal and doesn't affect how it works. Only visit a dealer if water is visibly pooling inside.
Slight blue/yellow tint on the silencer near the exhaust portJust heat discoloration from normal use, not a manufacturing defect (and not covered under warranty either way).
A faint pulsation felt at the clutch leverThis bike has an Assist & Slipper clutch — that pulsation is a sign it's working correctly, not slipping or wearing out.
Mobile charging socket gives no power with the engine offIt only outputs voltage while the engine is running — expected behaviour, not a broken port.

Warranty Essentials — 5 Years / 75,000 km

✅ Valid for the first owner only.
✅ Complete all 3 free services without missing any.
✅ Every paid service after that, within 5,000 km or 120 days of the last one — whichever comes first.
✅ All services done at an authorised Bajaj dealer/workshop.
✅ Only use the recommended 20W50 engine oil, changed on schedule.

❌ Not covered: normal wear items (chain, brake pads, spark plug, cables, bulbs, gaskets), water/flood damage, racing use, commercial/taxi use, unauthorised modifications, or damage from bad-quality fuel.