It isn’t the first time that Bajaj has launched two variants of one of their motorcycles. Even before also Bajaj has produced technically same motorcycle in the roadster and faired avatar, like the Discover 150 and Pulsar 220 twins. But, this time Bajaj has differentiated a single motorcycle into two different bikes- Avenger Street 220 and Avenger Cruise.
So, after the Bajaj Avenger Street, we get to ride the Avenger Cruise and we are here to tell how well it felt to ride the bike on the state highways.Is it a true cruiser?
In a single word, “YES” it does look like a typical cruiser. The optimum and desired level of chrome detailing done in a neat and clean manner. The crucial styling and essentials that make a bike a cruiser are also present on this bike. The ape handle-bar, wide set mirrors, comfy rear passenger backrest are some of the cruiser essential bits.
The chrome detailing is even done on minimalistic panels too. The turn signal indicators, crash guard, spoke wheels, mirrors, headlight assembly, handle-bar, grab-rail and footpegs, exhaust can, pillion backrest, the gauges on the fuel tank and last but not the least the radiator. The Cruise version does get fibre-glass windshield but as option. The graphics done on the Avenger Cruise are plain and would not be of everyone’s liking. The paint-choice available on this motorcycle is a dusky grey one and that also add to the feel of sedate and mature ride rather bringing on an adrenaline rush to your biking spirit like the Avenger Street does.Electronics and quality levels
The Bajaj Avenger Cruise has got the same level of updation on the electronics part as that of the Avenger Street.
You get new detailing on the speedometer with digital odo-tripmeter and the headlight runs on the DC supply. The quality of the switch-gear isn’t very fascinating, as they are those age-old units direct lift-up from the previous generation, they aren’t even backlit though.Engine and technical changes
To be true there aren’t any technical changes brought in to the bike. It still uses that same old mill that has been used in the Pulsar 220F and the last generation of Avenger, churning out 19ps of max. power at 8400rpm and 17.5Nm of max. torque at 7000rpm. The mill is superb to ride in any type of traffic scenarios, but the gearing is felt on the shorter side.
The brakes offered on the Cruise are the 260mm Bybre disc upfront and a drum unit at the rear. Not much of the technical changes, but it particularly needs some.Does it offer comfortable ride?
Yes, the Avenger Cruise is by far the most comfortable bike I’ve ridden in my life under one lac price tag. Plush suspension, brakes offering generous bite & feedback, a 220cc mill provides you with all the technical comforts. So what you are left with is the ergonomics, there, Bajaj has done it’s job impressively well. The wide long, ape-handlebar, and a seat where you can sink in, what else you’d need to tour comfortably? To be true nothing.
The level of comfort for the pillion is also on the same level as that of rider. But the only thing that irritated me on the whole ride was the windshield, either Bajaj should increase or decrease the height of windshield to improve the buffeting noise on the helmet and the visual irritation.Final words
The bike is almost same as the old Avenger except for the seat, exhaust, brakes and the Handlebar, that makes the new Avenger Cruise more comfortable than before. So, spending 95k on-road Delhi isn’t a bad deal at all. You might find the review a bit short and direct, but after all it's our First Ride impression, stay tuned for the comprehensive Road Test Review of both Avenger Cruise and Street 220. In our first ride experience what we've found is the new Cruise is way more comfortable than its Street counterpart.
By: Mohit Bhardwaj
