Rear disc on powerful 150cc motorcycles has almost become the norm and older offerings from manufacturers are jumping into this bandwagon. The latest one being India-based Bajaj Auto which has started dispatching the new NS160s equipped with a rear disc brake. Priced at Rs 82,630, the new NS160 is only around Rs 2,000 more expensive than the single-disc variant that sells for Rs 80,500 (all prices, ex-showroom, Pune), Autocar India reported today.

Other than the addition of the rear disc brake, the motorcycle remains the same. The pricing though is definitely competitive compared to its rivals FZ-S FI, Suzuki Gixxer and Honda Hornet. In terms of styling, with its aggressive street-fighter looks, the NS160 continues to be very much like the NS200. The newest iteration carries forward the same headlight, instrument cluster, fuel tank (which holds 12 litres), split seats, tail section and the tail-light. It is expected that this variant will be slightly heavier than the single-disc variant (142kg).

Notably, the NS160 is the only bike in this segment that uses a steel perimeter frame that offers sharper handling and a box-section swingarm. The bike rides on a conventional telescopic fork and a gas-charged mono suspension. Powering the ‘Naked Sports’ bike is a 160.3cc, air-cooled, twin-spark motor that gets a four-valve head as well as oil cooling. It makes 15.5hp at 8,500rpm and 14.6Nm of torque at 6,500rpm.

In terms of competition, the NS160 with rear disc is priced at par with the rear-disc-equipped Suzuki Gixxer (Rs 82,606). TVS’ offering in this segment, the Apache RTR 160 4V (with the rear disc), will cost you Rs 84,535, while the Honda CB Hornet 160R (rear disc with CBS) is priced at Rs 91,099 (all prices, ex-showroom, Pune).