Reviewing the Bajaj Avenger DTSI, I would keep this talk direct and will cover the talk in these following mentioned these points.
1.First impression
2.Engine performance
3.Fuel efficiency
4.Handling
5.Problems
6.Maintenance Costs
7.Overall
First Impressions
To put it simple, this is the best "city cruiser" available in India and coincidently the only one too (Enticer being discontinued). You can not resist to have a look at it if you are not owning it (even an owner is no exception for this). Beautiful curves, MRF tire and nicely designed seat along with the muffler gives the bike a unique muscular look. Chrome adds to the magnificence.
Engine performance
Avenger has imported its engine from its Pulsar cousin with minor tuning. Its pick up is definitely less than that of a Pulsar (cruiser are, anyhow, not mode for thrust-busting starts), but it wont let you feel down. Bajaj has retuned the engine for cruiser characteristics, this bike behaves like a cruiser only till 50 or 60 kmph on 5th gear. Twist thethrottle any further, the P180 heart starts beating the street fighterway!! After 65 or say 70 kmph mark the engine comes to life with acceleration comparable to that of Pulsar. You can push it to 115+ kmph speeds, though the ideal comfortable cruising speed this bike offers is around 70-80 kmph.
Engine moderately vibrates till 70, after which the sound changes a bit and vibrations disappear. Well Avenger has got two aspects because of the minor tuning. What it have gained from this tuning is its slightly groany noise which sounds like a cruiser (slightly I say). And what it has lost I think is that the engine heats up more quickly than Pulsar’s. But thats not a major issue......(To tackle this they have given a more viscous engine oil recommendation for Avenger (20W50) than Pulsar’s, which is 20W40. Plus Avenger need 1.5 liter of oil, .5 liter more than Pulsar).
Fuel efficiency
Normal fuel-
Highway 47-49
City 41-44
Speed (Bharat Petroleum) 93 Octane-
Highway 52-54
City 48-50
I find Speed better. For sure the power increases and so does the milage.
Handling
Nothing beats the Avvy when it comes to handling. You can ride at a speed between 5-10 kmph without any hiccups. Nothing to write here. Best in class. In fact best in any class (Indian bikes). Well it might not be great while cornering, but shouldnt that be a pros of a sports rather than a cruier bike? Handling while braking?? Tell me an Indian bike which can stop as comfortably as Avenger does....Can you? Superb!
GeneralProblems
First of all...the seat. Rear seat is more cosmetic, less functional. Pillion really suffers. Its really not a big issue if you ride short distances i.e. moderate day-to day city riding. In city no pillion with me has complained ever. But whenever I go for trips exceeding 100 KMs, they just complain and do nothing!!! Rider gets almost all of the comfort Avenger can offer. Again....Best in India.
2nd...its not a problem exactly but I would say that Avenger uses more engine oil than another bike in class. 1.5 liter. Hence the increased costs. But its just half liter extra for 5000 KMs.
3rd...rear view mirrors looks good but they happened to be place in such a manner that sometimes it becomes problematic to look behind. If you’re anywhere above 5’10", you would only see the road in theright rear-view mirror. You would need to get the handlebars raised tosort this out. Problem is manageable but its there.
4th. Rear suspension is good but could have been more comfortable keeping in mind the cruiser nature of the bike.
5th. A puncture in the rear tire could be problem as that sized tube(for a 130/90-15 tire) is not easily available. So keep your options known to you before you take it to road.
Maintenance Costs
Costs are not high as such. I get it serviced at Bajaj Probiking who charges me modestly. Part too are comparatively not pricey. Just you’ll be shelling out the costs of that half a liter of extra engine oil.
Overall
That must be my lucky moment when I decided to buy the all new Bajaj Avenger. The happiness, comfort and satisfaction it gives, simply dwarfs its robust performance and superior control & handling. Really... I feel like God sometimes.
Cheers