Jan 08, 2006 12:33 AM
3928 Views
(Updated Jan 15, 2006 02:57 PM)
Have been reading (almost) all the reviews here, and finally decided to go for it. The reviews helped me to keep my expectations realistic, and that really helps. :) I am, so far, quite pleased with the bike.
I was driving a Yamaha RX 135 for 3+ years now, and that bike still remains my first love. Its lightweight and compact body combined with its awesome ability to sprint (thanks to the two-stroke engine) make it an invaluable asset in city traffic. Truth be told, it beats the hell out of all those 150cc-me-too bikes at the traffic-lights Grand Prix (:D) But take it to the highways and its weak points (lack of disc brake, poor headlight) are exposed immediately. So there comes in Bajaj Avenger....
Its great looks have been well documented and drooled over, so I wont go into it.
The riding comfort offered by Avenger is too good. I had tried Enticer (poor on power) and Thunderbird (a little low on comfort) before, but they cant quite match this. One can probably ride the Avenger all day long, no issues.
Brakes and headlight are top-class, you really feel safe using them (esp after you are used to a Yamaha RX 135 ;) )
The power is, well, adequate... About enough to keep pulling two people on highways. More power in this type of bike is definitely very desirable, but then this is only 180cc... I do hope the guys at Bajaj are listening / reading this review and that they soon come up with another cruiser of 250cc or more; preferably a V-twin! Hey guys, I dont mind paying 1 lakh to you, but give me a bigger sibling of this, please, please, please...!! :)
Avenger's wide tyres (esp rear one) and heavy body (150+ kg as against 108 kg of my Yamaha) always keep it planted firmly; which is such a blessing on highways, should you get caught in the slipstream of, say, a Volvo. But due to its proportions and the bulk , this bike is better driven at slow speeds in city traffic. Else it can be a handful....
AND: this bike is not at all for those boy-racers. I cant really believe people want to ride at 120/130 kph on this bike or that they want to beat Karizma etc... No way, maan! It goes against the philosophy (!) behind such a bike. This bike is more like 'lambi race ka ghoda'. It'll keep you cruising comfortably for long, long distances and thats what it should be used for; nothing else!
In a sense, I'd like to compare this bike with a Skoda Octavia for the comfort, build quality, good looks, adequate power, adequate safety and the ability to munch miles... things offered by both, Octavia and Avenger!
But, hey! I pray for a bike equivalent of Skoda Superb.. ;)
PS1: A note to all Thunderbird lovers: T'bird is a very good bike for those who like it, no doubt. It may even be a better option on highways, but its -ve points were just too much for me. Dated engine being the most important of all.... Compare Avenger's 16.5 bhp from a 180cc mill to that of T'bird: 18 from 350. Another thing important for me was that Avenger is not noisy. I know, eyebrows will be raised, for there are many who just love the thumping sound of the Enfields, but personally I would not like a noisy bike under me when I am escaping from the maddening crowds. To each, his own! :)
PS2: I'd tend to agree with other reviewers about the service they got from Bajaj. They seem to have improved, but still not satisfactory enough. The guys who hand over the bike dont seem to know about run-in period being 2000 km (one of them told me its just 750)... and then some more minor things; but overall not a big issue as the bike is really good.
PS3: Hey guys, pls dont forget to rate the review, yaar!
