Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the 2025 Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Is It the Right Choice for You?

While the 2025 Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z has undeniably made significant strides, offering a compelling blend of power, technology, and value (as detailed in our comprehensive review), it’s crucial to approach any purchase with a balanced perspective. No motorcycle is perfect for everyone, and the NS400Z, despite its impressive upgrades, might not be the ideal choice for every rider.

Understanding a product’s limitations is just as important as knowing its strengths. For those who prioritize certain aspects or have specific riding preferences, some characteristics of the NS400Z might be a deal-breaker.

Here are the Top 5 Reasons why you might want to reconsider buying the 2025 Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z:

1. Familiar Design: No Major Visual Overhaul

For many, a new model year signifies a fresh look and a significant visual departure from its predecessor. However, the 2025 Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z largely retains the design language of the previous iteration.

• Conservative Aesthetics: While the Pulsar NS series’ aggressive streetfighter styling is popular, riders expecting a radical visual refresh might find the 2025 model’s aesthetics to be too familiar, even in its colorways.
• Lack of ‘Newness’: If you’re upgrading from an older NS model or simply desire a motorcycle that visually screams ‘new generation,’ the NS400Z’s conservative design might leave you wanting more. It prioritizes internal upgrades over outward flair.
• Missed Opportunity for Differentiation: In a competitive market where visual appeal plays a significant role, Bajaj’s decision to stick with the existing design might be seen as a missed opportunity to truly differentiate the NS400Z from its lineage.

2. Quick Shifter Limited to Sport Mode: A Missed Opportunity

The inclusion of a bidirectional quick shifter is a groundbreaking feature for a Pulsar, enhancing the riding experience significantly. However, its functionality is surprisingly limited.

• Mode Restriction: The quick shifter currently operates only in Sport mode. This is a considerable drawback, as the ‘Road mode’ often offers a calmer and more tractable throttle response, making it ideal for city commuting and everyday riding.
• Compromised Convenience: For riders who spend a significant amount of time in city traffic, where frequent gear changes are common, the inability to use the clutchless quick shifter in Road mode means they’ll still be relying on the clutch, negating a key convenience feature.
• Software Update Dependency: While it’s likely a software limitation that could be addressed with an update, its absence in other modes at launch is a genuine point of concern for riders seeking seamless gear changes across all riding conditions.

3. Suspension Still Needs Refinement: A Compromise on Ride Quality

While Bajaj has made significant strides in engine and braking, the suspension system, particularly the rear shock, still leaves room for improvement, especially for spirited riding.

• Rebound Damping Issues: The rear shock could benefit from better rebound damping. This means that after compressing over a bump or during aggressive cornering, the shock might not return to its original position as smoothly or quickly as desired, leading to a slightly unsettled feel.
• Impact on Cornering: When pushing hard in corners, inadequate rebound damping can cause the motorcycle to feel less composed, potentially affecting rider confidence and the ability to hold a precise line.
• Overall Ride Comfort: While generally comfortable, riders sensitive to suspension feedback might find the ride quality less refined over broken tarmac or during dynamic maneuvers compared to some rivals.

4. High-Speed Stability Concerns: A Shorter Wheelbase Trade-off

The NS400Z features a wheelbase that is approximately 20 mm shorter than the NS200. While this contributes to its agility, it can have implications for high-speed stability.

• Potential for Instability over Bumps: At higher speeds, especially when encountering undulations or bumps on the road, the shorter wheelbase might cause the bike to feel slightly unsettled. This can momentarily unsettle the rider and demand more active input to maintain composure.
• Less Forgiving at Speed: For riders who frequently engage in high-speed highway cruising or push the bike’s limits, a slightly longer wheelbase would typically offer greater inherent stability and a more planted feel.
• Compromise for Agility: This is a classic trade-off: a shorter wheelbase enhances agility and quick steering, which is great for city riding, but can sometimes compromise absolute stability at the upper end of the speed spectrum.

5. Lack of Low-End Punch: Not for Every Riding Style

While the 2025 NS400Z boasts an impressive 43 PS and a strong top-end, its performance below 5,000 RPM remains largely similar to the older bike, lacking significant low-end punch.

• City Riding Dynamics: For riders who prefer a strong surge of power right off the line or require effortless torque for navigating stop-and-go city traffic without frequent gear changes, the NS400Z might feel a bit subdued in the lower rev range.
• Less Tractable: This characteristic means you might need to downshift more frequently to keep the engine in its powerband, especially when pulling away from a standstill or accelerating from low speeds.
• Not an ‘Effortless’ Commuter: While still capable, it’s not designed to be an ‘effortless’ commuter in the same vein as some bikes with stronger low-end torque. Its true character emerges once the revs build up.

Conclusion: A Balanced Perspective

The 2025 Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z is undeniably a significant step forward for the Pulsar brand, offering a compelling blend of performance, features, and value. However, like any product, it has its nuances. The familiar design, quick shifter limitations, and certain aspects of its ride dynamics might not align with every rider’s expectations or preferences.

If these five points resonate with your priorities, it’s worth considering whether the NS400Z truly fits your riding style and needs. Understanding these potential drawbacks allows you to make a more informed decision, ensuring your next motorcycle purchase is the right one for you.

About the Author: Sagar Sheldekar Official Passion-driven motorcycling content by and for the true enthusiasts

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• Source : 2025 Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z Review