ENJOY THE RIDE BABY!. Review on Bajaj Avenger

Why did people want to buy the Eliminator?

Because it looked so darn cool, it was exclusive and it was India's only cruiser anyway.

Why would people want to buy the Avenger?

Because it still looks so darn cool, it is still India's only cruiser (T-Birds are still Bullets not cruisers) and well its cheaper by a good 30-grand over the Eliminator...but thats not it. The engine has been moved plonk from the Pulsar 180 DTSi. A real leathal unit with a competence that is done wrong with the still-ill gearbox-clutch combo. We will talk about the cog-issue later.

Lets deal the punches...

STYLING (4.5/5)

Like I said earlier, the cool quotient is still intact from the Eliminator. This bike looks the part with its generous chrome dressing and a real-cruiser stance. (Unlike the pseudo-cruiser Enticer.) The body is very well balanced to look at, neat lines with a classic cruiser spec that has been kept true to. The single speedo pod, the lights on the tank, the ommission of a tacho remain classic cruiser cues. Most of us would want to buy this bike just on the basis of its looks. And it is still exclusive. Which may not be the case for long given the new price tag of around Rs 67,000 on-road in Hyderabad.

PERFORMANCE (4/5)

Though in this aspect the bike simply does more good to itself with the Pulsar 180 DTSi unit transplant. The old 175cc mill was good but the new unit promises more usable power and better efficiency also. The engine performs almost near-perfectly. Don't expect P-180 like acceleration or performance. This bike is heavy and it shows, but it is not slow. It has been modded with to give good in-city driveability and also the highway rider touch. Works well on both notes. Though this bike is still a little tricky in the heavy traffic rivers that we call roads. But getting used to it will take no time.

GEARBOX/CLUTCH (2.5/5)

Here comes the tricky part - the drivetrain. While the problems are very few on this bike, the biggest and the most telling one being the epidemic thats been sweeping Pulsars and now finds way into the Avenger is the gearbox-clutch combo. The clutch just doesn't do justice to the all the engine's sweetness. It is thick in response and not confident in action. The gearbox is another let-down if not an ordinary performer. Someone used to the Hero Honda type pro-action gearboxes will simply curse Bajaj's lethargy when it comes to drivetrain refinement.

Shame on you Bajaj, a perfect bike now becomes a near-perfect bike all because of this issue.

COMFORT (4.5/5)

A relaxed approach to life. No problem riding this bike on smashed-up Indian tarmac. Enjoy the ride with a sense of carelessness (a realm of the Bullets, but the problems so many!). Its a cruiser, come on, forget those Karizmas. But single-handedly, this is the most comfortable bike in India right now. (The Bullets are simply not.) The bike has an awesome ride and balance next to none. Like any true-blue cruiser would have, a single pod speedo and lamps on the tank all serve their purpose. A real mile-muncher, the fat-tirein the rear with a long-travel front suspension set-up really works to the effect of making this a really, really comfortable bike!

QUALITY (4/5)

Switchgear is out of the Pulsar. But this is no doubt the best bike ever manufactured by Bajaj in terms of finish and tooling. The Pulsars are getting there quickly too. The seat is of excellent quality. The bike seems worth a lot more, indeed at this price this bike is a no-brainer.

FUEL-EFFICIENCY (4/5)

What do you expect from a 180cc bike? A good 40-50 average is almost certain in normal easy-go conditions. I have seen mileage dip down to mid-30s but thats under stressed traffic (normal city conditions). Dont expect 60 kmpl on this bike. Highway riding is where this bike shows its strength in terms of mileage also. Would be nice to see a mid-50 figure but thats still difficult. A neat break-in when the engine is new will ensure that you will get decent 40-50 range average. Price of petrol when I wrote this was almost Rs 50...and still rising!

VALUE FOR MONEY (5/5)

Probably the best VFM proposition in the Indian bike market right now, alongwith the Honda Unicorn maybe. But that bike is in another league. The Avenger will keep you smiling throughout because for that kind of money (It is just Rs1000 more expensive than P-180) there is absolutely no competition. This is the cruiser you always wanted but couldn't buy, now is the chance. Go for it.

THE COMPETITION

The Avenger can be pulled into two categories - Cruiser and performance bike.

CRUISERS

Rs 50-60,000 Range : None (Yamaha Enticers are not made anymore!)

Rs 60-70,000 Range : None

Rs 70-80,000 Range : None

Rs 80-90,000 Range : RE Thunderbird

PERFORMANCE BIKES

Rs 50-60,000 Range : None

Rs 60-70,000 Range : Pulsar 180

Rs 70-80,000 Range : HH Karizma

Now you see the market for the Avenger? There is absolutely no competition to the Avenger given market sensibilities. But the T-Birds will sell because the Bullet guys will not touch anything else. The P-180 and the Karizma are different types of bikes, more for the traffic-cutting, slick-riding types. But the Avenger is the most sensible choice giveen its competition.

The Avenger simply said is a bike worth its weight in gold. Feel like God? Maybe not quite that, but definitely feels like it has been touched by God. Awesome effort by Bajaj, well except for the gearbox-clutch hangup!