2500 KMs Review Update
I crossed 2500 KMs on my bike and experience is still fresh and always ready to take it out for a ride anytime. Recently went on 400 KMs drive on country side and its been pleasure to ride this bike. On high ways, the speed, handling and stability is amazing and even with 150 KM continuous drive, one will not feel any strain, I had multiple acknowledgements for the best back rest support by the pillion rider, its one of the best feature of this bike. its like 2 wheeler car. Few nudges that need attention from Bajaj - rear brake should be disc brake, on high speeds just pressing rear will not help, after soaking in heavy rain, I see smog inside the fuel indicator. The head light is AC current, prefer DC for constant bright light for high way driving
Few things I added to my bike which enhanced it -Studs Side box which is designed for this cruiser and added beeper for the side indicators, because I got reminded by passer by that I forgot to switch off indicator after turning. Service, I still prefer Probilikng service in Hyderabad. So far experience is always prompt and once I roll out the bike feels peppy and well serviced.
Still thinking .... just go for this metal beauty and "Feel Like GOD!"
Last week bought the beauty - Bajaj Avenger 200CC DTSi bike from Bajaj Pro-biking Showroom in Hyderabad.
Buying Process: Avenger, Pulsar 220 & latest Ninja 250CC bikes are sold by Bajaj exclusively at the Pro-biking showrooms across the country. Pro-biking show room is a nice concept, no sales pressure environment with laid back sales guys. Also they have few bikes for test ride and also a sound proof room with simulated environment at which you can rev up the real bikes hooked to chains to full throttle. The computer screen in front of you displays the RPM & Speed of the bike. I did couple of test rounds in my earlier visits and also in simulated room. At Pro-biking show room in Hyderabad, sales guys are quite friendly. The process is you pay 10K in advance and book the bike, usual turn around is week to 10 days for delivery. My bike was delivered in 10 days after booking. Advantage of Pro-biking is that there is no haggling in price, since the price is direct from Bajaj without any re-sellers. The Invoice price include, basic cost of bike plus lifetime tax, insurance for one year and handling charges. Only crib is that you can’t really look at all colour ranges in real since they have only one sample for test ride.
Bike Specs:While you can get the Std. Spec from any site, I will cover Specs in terms of usage and feel. This Bike is on higher end in terms of weight compared to any other 150CC bikes in town, I felt the weight especially if you are pushing to reverse the bike, but due to its low height, you will never have to work-out and grow the six packs to handle this bike. Once you sit on, its feels solid on ground and well balanced.
Shocks: works very well, front shocks take maximum hit and none of the bump is transferred to handle bar. Rear ones do fine job. Rear Shocks are adjustable to 5 positions, default setting is at zero. The adjustment can be done using pin spanner, but this tool is not part of the tool kit, you need to visit the mechanic. For city drive zero setting is fine, but for bumpy roads or in general if you encounter too many speed breakers and you are riding with pillion, it better to put in position ‘2’
Sound: Avenger exhaust beat is very good, it has good thump but on short cycles compared to Royal Enfield. In static mode you can feel the exhaust beat and its quite nice, but while running, exhaust sound is less audible due to wind and also, you will hear a chain sound as well.
Turning Radius: Bike is long due to which turning on short gaps is difficult, you need few extra inches for comfortable navigation in traffic. I felt that especially when trying to meander between vehicles after Red light turns green in traffic. All these kinks will vanish very soon, since with low centre of gravity and long feel base, bike feel extremely stable and never feel out of balance.
Braking: Front brakes are disk brakes and rear ones are drum brakes. By my first driving impression, rear ones are little weak and you need to press both the brakes to come to complete halt. Just to slow down rear ones are fine, but for sudden brakes use both. The sequence is first press rear brakes and than press front brake to avoid any skid. Front brakes lever play is very small so just small press is sufficient to bring the bike to complete halt. So far not felt any sensation of skidding. Adjusting the rear brake pedal play is very easy, you need to adjust the nut on the brake lever near the rear tyre and you wouldn’t need any tools
Riding:Bike is at very low height, me at 5’6" I can lay my both foot flat on ground, which is the best part and my first choice. One of my friend is 6’+ and when he sat on my bike, it looked little odd, may be long guys should go for Thunderbird. One best attribute is that even with pillion rider, one would not feel any imbalance, bike has solid grip and balanced both at crawling speed and at high speed.
Finally why I choose this bike - In my teens I rode Yamaha RX100 and now I am in late 30’s and quick zips at traffic light and navigating with twist and turns in a traffic doesn’t appeal me anymore. My req is a Cruiser with laid back seating with good power to touch 100KM/Hr with pillion on a long ride enjoying the breeze & thump of exhaust.
Thinking like me than AVENGER fits it Perfectly!