Feeling like guinea pig . Review on Bajaj Avenger

Hi There,

I'm Manju from Bangalore, I returned from US after 1.5 years of assignment. My dream in US was to comeback to Bangalore and replace my splendor with a nice bike out of my hard earned money :). I regularly went through some reviews on Mouthshut (I guess only place where Indian bikes are reviewed in large number). In the later part of 2005 there were good reviews on Avenger. It was instant love after seeing it's pictures and I was very happy that I will own a cruiser with decent power when I'm back from US. The love was so intense (though thousands of miles away!) that I ordered Harley Davidson stickers/Cap/acces worth $190 from an online store. The reviews on MS literally reverbrated in my mind everytime, Lots and lots of good words for this bike. It was barely one week after landing in B-lore I rushed to Khivraj and ordered my Black Avenger after a short test ride. Trust me, I bought this bike solely by trusting reviews on Mouthshut.

I have spent seven months on this bike so far and it has done 8,300 kms. Here are some negatives of the bikes most of them are inline with 'shankarvignesh's review, guess both our bikes were built in similar conditions at bajaj :))

a. Literally struggles to accelerate on almost all gears, even solo (I'm 92 kilos hulk ). No hint of 16.5 horsepower :((

b. Some noises and vibration come and go at different speeds, 3 to 4 and some times 4 to 5 gear changing is difficult :(

c. Rear-tyre skids side-wards when brakes are applied- that's dangerous :(

d. This bike is very uncomfortable on most roads, but on smooth roads my bones are spared. Why can't they simply fix splendor's springs?

e. Cruising speed on this cruiser is just 60-70 kph even on highways, I tried higher speeds but ride quality goes down with increased noise, some metal burn smell when you go above 70 kph :((

f. The silver finish on gearbox has aleady come off, Handle bar and mirror vibrates like one on 40 year old Bullet. Oil leaks from gearbox.

g. I guess bajaj's poor quality will start showing up more and more with passing time, I beg, I don't want to see anymore :(

h. I don't want to talk about pillion rider's fate on this bike.Hmm., I guess this bike is built for solo and not for two :)) , I may use the pillion seat for punishing some one :)))

i. I have not measured bike's fuel economy, I know If I do it, I'll get one more bad smile on my face :((

k. I will put the worst one at the last - The service at probike is dismal and costly :(

What about positives ? yes, it looks great and that's it and may be I can tell my friends that I own a cruiser without revealing it's name "AVENGER" :)

So my advise for guys who are falling in love for it's looks, please buy a 1:20 V-Rod / Chopper models from Harley Davidson's collectibles. You'll be proud and happy to keep it in a show-case- that's better than riding this poor cruiser :))

To Bajaj : 'Feel like God' was a great punch line- you knocked me literally :)), but the fact is I 'feel like a Guinea Pig belonging to Bajaj lab' :( - hmm ...and there are thousands :((. Why are you guys testing designs & it's flaws on people?? Please build a good bike (even 75cc bike is okay) and excite am admi like the CD100 did, I will feel proud of you :))

To Readers : Don't be part of Bajaj's lab :)...... go for a honda /suzuki bikes, ....atleast I didn't have any problem with my good old splendor for almost 45,000 kms.

To reviewers : Please leave correct experiences PLEASE :), I'd like to ask 'pulsarian' who reviewed Avenger as "performance Cruiser", my question is how were you able to predict this bike will last 10 years?? This bike according to me may die after 3/4 years of usage.

Hopefully, I may leave India next month for an assignment abroad,... If that happens I will be glad to get rid of this poor cruiser. Next time I'll go for a car..and no dreaming..seriously :))

If I come back to mouthshut again, I may review my good old splendor's experiences, that way I can get some smiles on my face :))))

Happy biking and good luck for all new bike hunters :)

Bye for now,

Manju

:))