The Bajaj Avenger Street 160 is the smallest of the two Avenger variants on offer behind the gorgeous Avenger Cruise 220. This motorcycle has fought vigorous battles since its introduction, replacing not only the Avenger Street 150 and Street 180, but also, drove its mighty elder sibling – the Avenger Street 220 to be discontinued.
What makes this motorcycle sell like hotcakes? Should the Avenger Cruise 220 be worried? Is it still the best investment? Find out all about the above and much more in this detailed research analysis on what makes the Avenger Street 160 so great!
Pros: Affordable, Outshines The Competition, Refined Engine, Comfortable Posture, Impressive Fuel Efficiency
Cons: Uncertain Gearbox, Tube Tyres, Misses Out On Dual-Channel ABS
Bajaj Avenger Street 160 Design
The Avenger Street 160 boasts an elegant design, reminiscent of a certain Harley Davidson motorcycle. At the front, we have a sophisticated area consisting of the alloy wheel, front-wheel fender, neat, front telescopic suspension, sporty handlebar, circular headlight, functional mini-visor and a pair of rearview mirrors. The fuel tank is smartly sculpted in a circular fashion. The secondary instrument cluster and the fuel cap accents also add aesthetic appeal.
As we proceed to the rear, the side panels below the seat and at the rear surrounding the pillion grabrail look quite splendid. The side-mounted exhaust with its chrome heat/crash guard looks cool against the backdrop of the dual shock-absorbers, alloy wheel at the rear, and the blacked-out engine area. The seat is one piece, meaning it’s not split between the rider and the pillion. The pillion grabrail also comes as a unique feature that further amplifies the cruiser look of this motorcycle.
The stickering details along the length of the motorcycle go a long way in completing the awesome appearance of the Avenger Street 160. To sum up this motorcycle in a sentence, the right amount of classic retro appeal blended with just enough street savvy.
Bajaj Avenger Street 160 Features
The primary instrument cluster is circular and semi-digital, meaning, the speedometer is analogue whereas the odometer and trip meters are completely digital. They contain a host of information that lets the rider make informed decisions on the road or at a stop. The lack of the tachometer makes it impossible for the rider to ascertain which RPM he/she is currently at – making it fairly inconvenient. There is also a secondary display panel bearing the tell-tale lights (indicators, high beam, neutral, ABS, and low battery warning). But, the functionality is compromised due to its disarranged placement on the fuel tank, similar to the Avenger Cruise 220. The rear-view mirrors provide a good line of sight and look quite good in the black paint job.
Bajaj Avenger Street 160 Engine Performance
The Avenger Street 160 is an exceptionally versatile machine in all riding conditions, be it the highway or the city streets. This motorcycle hosts a 160cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine mated to a five-speed gearbox producing 14.79 BHP at 8500 RPM and 13.17 Nm of torque at 7000 RPM.
Is the Avenger Street 160 really a cruiser? Like other Bajaj motors, this motorcycle, too, has a strong low and mid-range that’s nimble and highly responsive. But, the top end tends to fizz out rather soon and you will find your motorcycle making more sound than speed. The ideal speed to cruise is at 70-90 km/h on the fifth gear. The motorcycle retains most of its refinement, smoothness, and handling abilities at this speed making it an able companion for long trips and tours.
Bajaj Avenger Street 160 Mileage (or Fuel Efficiency)
Further assisting the popularity of this motorcycle is the excellent fuel-efficiency figures on offer. In the city, one can expect close to 38-42 km/l under economic riding conditions. On the highway, you can expect around 42-47 km/l. The 13-litre fuel tank offers a riding range of around 550-600 km on one full tank of petrol.
Bajaj Avenger Street 160 Handling (or Dynamics)
The Avenger Street 160 handles almost exactly like the larger capacity Avenger Cruise 220. Both the motorcycles share ride-defining components such as the suspension system, tyres, and chassis. The major difference is, however, the sportier, performance-oriented handlebar in place of the rear swept/relaxed handlebar available on the premium Avenger. This key aspect allows for passionate and vigorous riding. Although wide turns require additional manoeuvrability owing to this motorcycle’s extended wheelbase and low saddle height, the impressive kerb weight of 156 kg should be easy to control and command.
The suspension duties are carried out by front telescopic forks and rear twin shock absorbers. The suspension setup is on the softer side and fine-tuned to offer a highly comfortable setting that is appropriate for Indian road conditions. The double-cradle chassis is similar to what you see in the Pulsar series motorcycles.
Bajaj Avenger Street 160 Comfort (or Ergonomics)
A lot does not need to be said about the comfort of sitting behind this motorcycle. What makes the Avenger Street 160 so comfortable? The long-wheelbase accompanied by the low-slung seat complement comfort to a great extent. The appropriately positioned handlebar is quite high while the front-set footpegs provide for a highly relaxed seating position.
Unlike most motorcycles, the pillion may actually look forward to accompanying the rider on this motorcycle thanks to the laid-back seating posture and the cushioned pillion grabrail. The seat itself is at a perfect balance between soft and stiff and placed highly conveniently at 737 mm, a height that is supremely practical for riders of all heights and builds in our country.
Bajaj Avenger Street 160 Safety (or Brakes)
The braking system is directly borrowed from the Avenger Cruise 220. The braking setup is tuned to boost confidence in city commute and also provide ample braking room on the highway. This motorcycle is equipped with a 280 mm front disc brake and a 130 mm rear drum brake. The highly comfortable seating posture and the kerb weight of 156 kg also aid braking on this motorcycle. While these numbers may sound impressive, the overall ability of this motorcycle could have been improved with dual-channel ABS over the single-channel ABS available and a rear disc brake in place of the drum brake.
Bajaj Avenger Street 160 Service
Bajaj being a well-established motorcycle brand has stood the test of time and proved resilient in all its endeavours. They offer a wide range of authorised service centres and showrooms across the country where people can buy their motorcycles and get them promptly serviced, at an affordable cost. The average service interval for the Avenger Street 160 is anywhere between 6000 to 8000 km, this particular two-wheeler should cost you somewhere between Rs. 800/- to Rs. 2000/- for its service.
Bajaj Avenger Street 160 Price
Following is the price of the Avenger Street 160 (on-road, Mumbai) –
- Bajaj Avenger Street 160 – Rs. 1,25,713/-
Bajaj Avenger Street 160 Resale Value
Bajaj is a brand that promises motorcycles that are easy to maintain, sturdy, and have a respectable build quality. The Avenger Street 160 should have a fairly adequate resale value depending on the mileage on the odometer, accidents(if any), and overall maintenance.
Bajaj Avenger Street 160 Colours
The Avenger Street 160 is available in the following colours:
- Ebony Black
- Spicy Red
Bajaj Avenger Street 160 Specs
- Engine: 160cc, Single-Cylinder, Air-Cooled, Twin-Spark, SOHC
- Power: 14.79 BHP at 8500 RPM
- Torque: 13.17 Nm at 7000 RPM
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Fuel Consumption: 38-47 km/l
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Frame: Tubular Double Cradle Type
- Suspension: Telescopic Forks (Front), Twin Shocks (Rear)
- Tyres: 90/90/17 (Front), 130/90/15 (Rear)
- Brakes: 280 mm disc (Front), 130 mm drum (Rear)
Bajaj Avenger Street 160 Dimensions
- Length x Width x Height: 2210 mm x 806 mm x 1070 mm
- Wheelbase: 1490 mm
- Ground Clearance: 169 mm
- Seat Height: 737 mm
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 13-litres
- Kerb weight: 156 kg
Bajaj Avenger Street 160 Rating
We give the Avenger Street 160 a 4/5 rating.
Bajaj Avenger Street 160 vs Suzuki Intruder 150
The Avenger series, for a long time, was the sole option for a buyer interested in a cruiser motorcycle. That changed with the introduction of the Suzuki Intruder 150 in 2017. The Intruder 150 is a direct descendent of the formidable Suzuki Intruder 1800. This motorcycle showcases a fuel-injected, air-cooled, 155cc engine mated to a five-speed gearbox producing, frankly unsatisfactory power figures.
On the design front, the Intruder 150 may not be to everyone’s liking, at certain angles, this motorcycle does look awkward and out of place. The claimed mileage figures are also not reassuring at 32-36 km/l. The Intruder 150 offers single-channel ABS, similar to the Avenger, but, gets tubeless tyres over tubed tyres available with the Bajaj motorcycle. The Avenger Street 160 also undercuts the Suzuki motorcycle in terms of pricing by close to Rs. 27,000/-. We think it’s clear who won this comparison!
Final Verdict
The Avenger Street 160 is the perfect motorcycle for a daily city commuter who, occasionally, feels adventurous on the weekend and hits the highway. In the city, however, this motorcycle is not the easiest to manoeuvre in tricky situations, but, the comfort it provides more than makes up for this fact. The Avenger Street 160 is also an able family-friendly motorcycle that enables superb pillion comfort. The cheap service and easy-maintenance factors further aid the practicality of investing in this motorcycle.
The Avenger Street 160 is such a bang-for-buck investment that it makes the Avenger Cruise 220 seem overpriced, full disclosure, it’s not! While the bigger capacity Avenger has its own set of advantages, the Avenger Street 160 is much more flick-able, easy to handle, and cheaper by close to Rs. 25,000/-. Will the Cruise 220 share a similar fate as the now-discontinued Streer 220? Only time will tell! We hope this article has helped provide some clarity and hopefully aided you before your big purchase. Thank you for reading and ride safely. Cheers!
