Bajaj Pulsar 220F vs KTM RC 160

Prices, specs and on-road cost, side by side. Updated 1 Oct 2026.

Bajaj Pulsar 220F
KTM RC 160

Bajaj Auto

Pulsar 220F

From ₹1.36 Lakh

Full Pulsar 220F page Change

KTM

RC 160

From ₹2 Lakh

Full RC 160 page Change
Bajaj Pulsar 220FPulsar 220F · ₹1.36 Lakh
KTM RC 160RC 160 · ₹2 Lakh

What's different

On the versions picked above

Price Pulsar 220F: ₹1.36 Lakh (ahead) RC 160: ₹2 Lakh Pulsar 220F ₹64,729 cheaper
Braking Pulsar 220F: Single-channel ABS RC 160: Dual-channel ABS (ahead)
Power Pulsar 220F: 20.9 PS (ahead) RC 160: 18.73 bhp Torque 18.55 vs 15.5 Nm
Weight Pulsar 220F: 160 kg RC 160: 154 kg Seat height 795 vs 824 mm

Pick the Pulsar 220F for the lower price and more power.

Pick the RC 160 for dual-channel abs.

Spec by spec

Price

Ex-showroom
₹1.36 Lakh
₹2 Lakh
On-road in
₹1.56 Lakh
₹2.27 Lakh
EMI, 5 years, 20% down
₹2,623 a month
₹3,816 a month

Headline figures

Powertrain
Petrol, manual
Petrol, manual
Power
20.9 PS
18.73 bhp
Torque
18.55 Nm
15.5 Nm
Gearbox
Manual
Manual

Engine & Transmission

Engine Type
Twin Spark FI, Oil Cooled
Single Cylinder, 4-Stroke, 4-Valve, DOHC, Liquid-Cooled, FI
Displacement (cc)
220 cc
155 cc
Compression Ratio
9.8:1
11.5:1
Cooling
Air/Oil Cooled
Liquid Cooled
Gearbox
5-speed manual
6 Speed Manual (1D 5U)
Clutch
Wet multiplate
Wet Multiplate Clutch with assist mechanism
Drive Type
Chain drive
Chain Drive
Bore x Stroke
Not listed
58.0 mm x 58.7 mm

Brakes & Wheels

Front Brake Type & Diameter
Disc, 280 mm
Single Disc, 320 mm, ByBre 4-piston radial caliper
Rear Brake Type & Diameter
Disc, 230 mm
Single Disc, 230 mm, ByBre 1-piston floating caliper
ABS/CBS Type
Single Channel ABS
Single / Dual Channel ABS (Bosch)
Wheel Type
Alloy, 17-inch front & rear
17-inch Cast Alloy Wheels
Front Tyre Size
90/90-R17
110/70-R17 Tubeless
Rear Tyre Size
120/80-R17
140/60-R17 Tubeless
Tyre Type
Tubeless
Not listed

Suspension & Chassis

Front Suspension
Telescopic, 37mm, with anti-friction bush
43 mm WP APEX USD Inverted Telescopic Fork (120 mm travel)
Rear Suspension
5-way adjustable Nitrox shock absorber
WP APEX Monoshock (10-step preload adjustable, 150 mm travel)
Frame Type
Double cradle down-tube
Steel Trellis Frame with bolt-on subframe
Wheelbase (mm)
1,350 mm
1343 mm
Ground Clearance (mm)
165 mm
158 mm

Dimensions

Length (mm)
2,035 mm
1960 mm
Width (mm)
750 mm
730 mm
Height (mm)
800 mm
1110 mm
Seat Height (mm)
795 mm
824 mm
Kerb Weight (kg)
160 kg
154 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity (L)
15 litres
13.7 L (Reserve 2.5 L)

Instrument Cluster

Display Type
Fully digital reverse monochrome LCD
LCD Digital Inverted Display
Bluetooth/Navigation
Yes, turn-by-turn navigation
Not listed
USB Charging
Yes, Type A
No
Bluetooth Connectivity
Not listed
No
Navigation
Not listed
No

Safety & Convenience

Riding Modes
No
None
Cruise Control
Not available
No
Traction Control
Not listed
No
Quickshifter
Not listed
No

Lights

Headlight
LED projector headlamp
Halogen Projector Headlamp with LED DRL / Full LED
Taillight
LED
Full LED
Turn Indicators
LED
Full LED

Seat & Storage

Seat Type
Split seat, with split grab rails
Split Stepped Racing Seat with Clip-on handlebars
Under-Seat Storage
Not listed
Minimal tool kit only

Choice

Versions
1 version
1 version
Price range
₹1.36 Lakh
₹2 Lakh
Colours
4 colours
3 colours

Features are what each maker lists for its top versions. "Not listed" means the maker's sheet does not mention it, not that the vehicle lacks it.

Same engine and gearbox, closest price

Pick a pair to compare those two versions

Petrol, manual

Pulsar 220F₹1.36 Lakh RC 160₹2 Lakh RC 160 ₹64,729 more

On-road price in six cities

Pulsar 220F Pulsar 220F against RC 160 RC 160

CityPulsar 220FRC 160Gap
Mumbai₹1.6 Lakh₹2.33 LakhPulsar 220F ₹72,949 less
Pune₹1.6 Lakh₹2.33 LakhPulsar 220F ₹72,949 less
New Delhi₹1.56 Lakh₹2.27 LakhPulsar 220F ₹71,007 less
Bengaluru₹1.7 Lakh₹2.47 LakhPulsar 220F ₹77,480 less
Chennai₹1.62 Lakh₹2.35 LakhPulsar 220F ₹73,596 less
Hyderabad₹1.66 Lakh₹2.47 LakhPulsar 220F ₹81,548 less

Ex-showroom price plus road tax, registration and insurance, by each state's rules. Dealers may add handling charges and accessories.

Common questions

Which is cheaper, the Pulsar 220F or the RC 160?

The Pulsar 220F, by ₹64,729 on the versions compared here: Pulsar 220F Pulsar 220F at ₹1.36 Lakh against RC 160 RC 160 at ₹2 Lakh, ex-showroom. On the road in Delhi that becomes ₹1.56 Lakh against ₹2.27 Lakh.

Which is more powerful?

The Pulsar 220F Pulsar 220F makes 20.9 PS and 18.55 Nm and the RC 160 RC 160 makes 18.73 bhp and 15.5 Nm.

What is the EMI on each?

About ₹2,623 a month for the Pulsar 220F and ₹3,816 for the RC 160, on the road in Delhi with 20% down over five years at 9.5%.

Compare the rivals

Pulsar 220F vs Gixxer SF From ₹1.36 Lakh and ₹1.41 Lakh Pulsar 220F vs R15 From ₹1.36 Lakh and ₹1.59 Lakh Pulsar 220F vs Karizma XMR From ₹1.36 Lakh and ₹1.87 Lakh RC 160 vs Gixxer SF 250 From ₹2 Lakh and ₹1.93 Lakh RC 160 vs R15M From ₹2 Lakh and ₹1.9 Lakh RC 160 vs Karizma XMR From ₹2 Lakh and ₹1.87 Lakh
Bajaj Pulsar 220F: every version, spec and on-road price KTM RC 160: every version, spec and on-road price