I am from Kolkata. I had long nourished dream to own a bike. So when I decided to buy a bike my only requirement was to have a bike that would be different from the masses. My first choice was to have a Royal Enfield Bullet. Only 2 things that went against it, was price and my inexperience about bike. At that time I had only experience of total 20Hrs of scooter riding.
My second choice was Avenger (only because of its different kind of look). So I went to the Bajaj probiking. It was a nice experience to visit suh a beautiful showroom. The first impression of the bike was good. As I was a very novice driver so I request the manager if I got a home delivery of the bike. Though it was a very ridiculous request but they assured me that they can provide. So I pay about 72000/- within 1 month and they asked me that bike would be delivered from another Probiking Service centre. In the mean time I manage my brother who knows bike very well to drive the bike from there for me.
The Service Centre was not at all impressive compared to their Showroom. They charged 600/- for Teflon coating. My belief was that I would get exactly similar bike that was shown in the showroom but without that charge it was impossible to get that shiny look. Bajaj should note this point. What they show should sell.
After that I learn to ride this bike and it was very easy. As before I only rode the scooter the I like the leg position as it is similar(better) to a scooter. For the first couple of days I found difficulty to stand on the double stand because of its heavy weight.
For the next 3 months I rode about 40km daily on the highway. I liked the way others looked my bike and praised it. at this time I got 40-45km/lit (premium petrol). The handling was good and also very stable. Sometimes I picked up up to 80km (though it was against their manual) and belief me it is very very stable and very much tempting to raise the speed (Note that I was only 2-3 months novice to reach that speed). In the night the headlamp is quite impressive. Only thing that I missed at that time is the fuel gauge. Another point I noticed that on sudden action of the front disc brake the bike skids. Also the looking glass is not upto the mark. It is not to my eye level. (I am 5’10’’). Quite inconvenience to look these mirrors. Electric start I found impressive but the kick start may have a problem. Sometimes it starts with one kick some time it requires 2-5 kicks to start. May be still now I have not learn the art of kick starting or ......)
After 1st servicing I got 45-50km/lit. After that I found some problem. The back shock absorber is not so good. On the road bumper it can be very much experienced, may be because the bike is heavy. At this time while overtaking a high speed truck I hit a pot-hole (2inch dept) and it was near a fatal accident but due to high stability of the bike I manage to bypass the accident. On the next day I was shocked to see that both of my wheel rim has bent slightly. Don’t know whether the shock absorber or the rim material quality is defective.
For the next couple of month I was out of station and missed the 2nd servicing. I mailed to the Bajaj local manager about this and he said he would take care of it when I would be back. After returning home it was the time for 3rd servicing. When I approached to the Bajaj Service center first they denied all this things and they said they have no such facility and my warranty would be void as I missed the 2nd servicing. I called their manager and he is a nice person to manage the situation and they officially they did the both servicing at the same time to make the warranty valid. When I asked about the bent wheel they asked me to replace the both rim which would cost 2500/- or repair the same with 100/-. Their service centre mechanic suggest for the 2nd as all the wheel alignment is OK. So I opted for the 2nd option.
After 3rd service I found another problem gradually arises. While gear shifting sometimes it goes to neutrals. That was not before. Also it seems a high noise on high speed (100km). Also the rust is gradually appear in the different metallic part.
In the meanwhile I rode my friends Pulsar. I don’t at all feel good with the sitting posture and the gear position. Same experience with the Bajaj CT100. CT100 looks almost a toy riding compared to the Avenger. As now I feel I may not be able to ride conventional bike if needed with ease. Avenger may ruined my conventional biking habit.
Overall I am happy to ride the Avenger. But seems Bajaj-problem (mainly what I found from Mouthshut) are gradually attacking my bike also.