Bajaj Avenger Street 180 priced at Rs 85,498 is the most affordable cruiser in India

This is the new entry -point of Bajaj’s Avenger series and quite simply the most affordable cruiser in India. Called the Bajaj Avenger Street 180, it has been positioned below the Avenger 220 Street and replaces the Avenger Street 150. At first glance, the new Avenger Street 180 doesn’t look very different from its predecessor. But look closely and the design differences appear, like the skull-shaped headlamp with LED DRLs and new cowl, the new tail-light or the redesigned backrest. The seat gets a faux carbon-fibre texture and there’s different Avenger insignia on the fuel tank. Like the 220 Street, there are few chrome elements on the bike, and the all-black theme makes it look more urban and modern. Unlike the 2018 Avenger 220, which features an all-digital console, the Avenger Street 150 gets a single-pod instrument console with an analogue speedometer and digital read-out for the trip meter and odometer. The fuel gauge and the tell-tale lights have been positioned on the fuel tank, and while they aren’t in the rider’s field of vision, they flow well with the cruiser theme. Switchgear has been carried forward from the older bike and it is of good quality.

The biggest difference in the Avenger Street 180 is the all-new power plant. Bajaj has updated the bike with a new motor sourced from the Pulsar 180 developing 15.3hp and peak torque of 13.7Nm. Bajaj says that these figures are lowered slightly to give the bike with a more stress-free nature that better suits the Avenger’s character. Ride it and it feels significantly more refined than the Pulsar 180’s motor. Also, it builds speed in a relaxed manner with a linear power delivery. Cruising speed is around 90-100kph, which we feel is adequate; above this, the motor feels stressed and vibrations get harsh. The five-speed gearbox offers positive gearshifts and the light clutch means that one shouldn‘t feel fatigue while riding in traffic. Bajaj claims a mileage figure of 45kpl in real-world conditions, which should result in a range of close to 600km with the 13-litre fuel tank.

Another aspect that really impressed was the Avenger Street 180‘s tight turning radius and the direction changes are swift. Suspension travel on the rear shock absorbers have been increased from 98mm to 108mm and the bike felt comfortable over broken roads at low speeds. It doesn’t feel unsettled over sharp bumps either. Braking hardware consists of a disc brake at the front and a drum at the rear, and they do a good job of shedding speeds. ABS is not available even as an option. The riding posture makes you feel like you’re sitting on the bike rather than in it; while this is good for city riding, on the highway it may get tiring. Also, tall riders will feel a bit cramped for space.

All said and done, the Bajaj Avenger Street 180 is a likable motorcycle. The new styling elements endow the bike with a distinct identity, and the added power means it can cruise fairly well on highways. At Rs 85,498 (ex-showroom, Delhi), it’s also almost Rs 15,000 cheaper than the Suzuki Intruder. So, if you’re in the market for an affordable and urban-oriented cruiser, the Bajaj Avenger Street 180 does make a strong case for itself.

(By Arun Nadar, DNA)