Kawasaki Rouser NS160

The Kawasaki Rouser NS160 is designed on the lines of its elder sibling, the Rouser NS200. However, it is basically a scaled-down version of the latter with smaller cycle parts, like thinner tires and subtraction of a couple of features. The almost same design language as that of the Rouser NS200 makes the Rouser NS160 one of the sportiest looking motorcycles of its category.

The front fascia of the Kawasaki Rouser NS160 has an aggressive-looking V-shaped halogen headlamp, at the lower tip of which it gets a split V-shaped pilot lamp. The lower edges of the headlamp get clear lens turn indicators mounted, while the top gets a compact Y-shaped tinted visor.

The Kawasaki Rouser NS160 looks the sportiest when viewed from the side, thanks to the aggressive-looking fuel tank which has got a range of cuts and creases forming the knee recesses, along with the angular tank extensions placed ahead of it on either side. These tank extensions get the large ‘160’ decals on them, thus letting people know that this motorcycle is the smaller capacity version of the Rouser NS200. 

Below the fuel tank extensions, the radiator gets shrouds on its either edges, with the engine and star-shaped 5-spoke alloy wheels finished here in black theme. The small engine sump guard, tiny underbelly exhaust, and sharply rising angular tailpiece with split seats above it make sure that the Kawasaki Rouser NS160 looks at its sportiest best. 

From the back, the Kawasaki Rouser NS160 has a minimalist design, with a small number plate holder made up of aluminium and as well as separate mudguards in the form of split tire huggers over the rear tire. The split clear lens LED tail lamps look cool too. Behind the pillion perch, there are split pillion grab rails enhancing the sporty appeal of the motorcycle.

The Kawasaki Rouser NS160 has a sporty looking rider’s cockpit, with the motorcycle being the only one in its segment to get clip-on handlebars with backlit switchgear. It also gets a part-digital instrument console with an analog tachometer, along with a digital panel for speedometer, odometer, trip meters, clock and fuel gauge.

The Kawasaki Rouser NS160 has been adorned with premium hardware for the segment to which it belongs, with the motorcycle having hydraulic telescopic forks at the front and a fully adjustable monoshock with a rectangular swingarm at the rear. The motorcycle does with a petal disc brake at the front and a drum brake at the rear, however a disc brake at the rear would have been a better deal.

The Kawasaki Rouser NS160 is powered by a bored down version of the engine of the Rouser NS200 – a four-stroke, single-cylinder, fuel-injected, oil-cooled, 160.3cc engine. This engine, which is coupled here to a 5-speed gearbox, pump out a maximum power output of 15.3 PS and a peak torque output of 14.6 Nm. The engine has a good amount of torque in the mid-range, but can feel a bit vibrating

The Kawasaki Rouser NS160, being an entry-level model in the Rouser lineup, misses out on a number of safety features, and that includes the omission of ABS as well. However, it gets some nifty basics including backlit switchgear and engine kill switch.

The Kawasaki Rouser NS160, for an entry-level naked roadster, is one stylish and adequately powerful motorcycle, to begin with for amateurs, who are out for a more powerful motorcycle as compared to the average 125-150cc commuters. The motorcycle is decently equipped for its segment, and the hardware too is superior as compared to its rivals.