evo India – July 2019

FTER THE FALL OF THE BAJAJ-

Kawasaki Eliminator, Bajaj

introduced the Avenger, which

retained the Eliminator’s styling

but used the Pulsar 180’s engine. The Street 160

is the 10th part of the Avenger saga, replacing

the Street 180 that replaced Street 150. So why

did Bajaj make this move?

Anything new in the Street 160?

From the long 1480mm wheelbase to the

low 730mm seat height and the brake setup,

everything is a straight fit from the Street

180, except of course for the sticker declaring

the engine capacity and the addition of the

single-channel ABS along with rear-wheel lift

mitigation system.

The bike gets a new 160.4cc, air-cooled,

single-cylinder engine developing 14.79bhp and

13.5Nm. Okay, it’s not completely new, sharing

components with the Pulsar NS 160 barring the

cylinder head. While the NS 160 uses a 4-valve

configuration, the 160 has a 2-valve config, but

still manages similar numbers on paper.

Really a downgrade?

On the move, it will be difficult to differentiate

the 160 from its 180cc predecessor. The zealous

motor sprints to 100kmph without breaking a

sweat. Being a cruiser, handling can be given

a pass, but not with this one. The Street 160

handles surprisingly well for a cruiser, easily

zipping past city traffic. However, you will need

to work the ’box to get past the juggernauts on

the highway.

Now, though the stability is good, the

suspension isn’t, making the bike feel skittish

on broken, bumpy patches, with the suspension

bottoming out even with my measly 70kg frame

on board. The brakes are great, especially the

260mm disc out front. The vibrations, though,

are bothersome at the pegs after 80kmph.

Worth your moolah?

The Avenger Street 160 ABS isn’t really different

from the Street 180 in the performance or

equipment stakes. At `82,253, it undercuts

the Intruder 150 by almost `20,000. And with

a bike as ‘proportionate’ as the Intruder, you’d

probably do just fine sticking with the old-

school styling of the Avenger! L

Specification

Engine 160.4cc, single-cyl, air-cooled

Transmission 5-speed

Power 14.7bhp @ 8500rpm

Torque 13.5Nm @ 7000rpm

Fuel tank capacity 13 litres

Price `82,253 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

1: Performs as well as the Street 180. 2: Great brakes coupled with a single-chanel ABS unit. 3: Digital console from the Cruise

220 would have been a great addition. 4: Same old, Same old

The new entry-level Avenger performs at par with the outgoing Street 180

Bajaj Avenger Street 160 ABS

Quick ride

Words: Manaal Mahatme | Photography: Te j a s B h a g a t

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