[Dry Ice]

Heres a pic of my 200 I took this Sunday

[hkrish]

Hi,

Im planning to book a 220 one this weekend.
Before, that my friend who drives a RE-TBTS gave some input which put me into deep confusion.

He says, since the rider seat in avenger, is lower compared to that of RE-TBTS, he mentioned that whenever u go over the speed braker, it throws you up on air and gets you down. He has personally seen this with others while driving.

When i did a TD, unfortunately for that short 0.5 Km duration i did not encounter any speed brakers..

I have a little sensitive back, hence going for cruisers from my old bikes and Im really confused now, what to do..? Avenger owners please guide me. Is the drive comfort over rough roads or speedos, that BAD compared to other bikes. I find purchasing RE-TBTS just for this reason, does not look good. I dont like the sound, vibrations and low mileage of RE-TBTS.. So please share your driving experience

thanks
Hari

[Dry Ice]

hey hkrish!

Well, I am a novice rider, still learning. Avenger happens to be my first ride. Got it this July. I would say the performance depends a lot on your speed! Thats only natural. If you go over a bump at a relatively low speed you will be fine. No issues. If you try to tackle it on speed, you'll be thrown up and down, even worst, the bottom might scrap the hump.

Other experienced riders can comment on this further. Just sharing what I have learnt in the last few months of ownership.

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by hkrish

Hi,

Im planning to book a 220 one this weekend.
Before, that my friend who drives a RE-TBTS gave some input which put me into deep confusion.

He says, since the rider seat in avenger, is lower compared to that of RE-TBTS, he mentioned that whenever u go over the speed braker, it throws you up on air and gets you down. He has personally seen this with others while driving.

When i did a TD, unfortunately for that short 0.5 Km duration i did not encounter any speed brakers..

I have a little sensitive back, hence going for cruisers from my old bikes and Im really confused now, what to do..? Avenger owners please guide me. Is the drive comfort over rough roads or speedos, that BAD compared to other bikes. I find purchasing RE-TBTS just for this reason, does not look good. I dont like the sound, vibrations and low mileage of RE-TBTS.. So please share your driving experience

thanks
Hari

Originally Posted by Dry Ice

hey hkrish!

Well, I am a novice rider, still learning. Avenger happens to be my first ride. Got it this July. I would say the performance depends a lot on your speed! Thats only natural. If you go over a bump at a relatively low speed you will be fine. No issues. If you try to tackle it on speed, you'll be thrown up and down, even worst, the bottom might scrap the hump.

Other experienced riders can comment on this further. Just sharing what I have learnt in the last few months of ownership.

It should be better or on par with other bikes sold in India.
I havent comes across the hump scrapping issue.

[hkrish]

Hi All,

After a lot of head-scratching, analysis and everything, i think finally the heart-won !
I went and booked the new Avenger 220 cc.

Dryice and Jk, thanks a lot for giving timely information in the last minute.

Dryice, i read your other thread on buying the new bike, right from analysis, your confusion in booking counter, you call with you GF included and booking the blue one. By the way, mine is also BLUE !!!! My wife liked the color, even i also like the color after riding the black-color honda active, pulsars for quite a while. Blue was quite refreshing and metallic, however the black one looks good though.

Thanks to check list provided by abhinav.s in the link, for buying new bikes:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...st-bike-3.html
Pretty useful though.

Just a quick dump, on why i selected this bike,..
I have been driving in car for almost last 4-years (Alto and Wagon R mixed), somehow i got REALLY bored of this bangalore traffic. Anyone felt like parking the car and walking off in slow moving signals, tired of press & releasing the clutch in first gear. Ugggghh.. it is such a waste of time

I slowly switched over to Honda Active, my back-up vehicle, so that i can save time. I travel around 10Kms one way, so 20km in total. I got little bored of honda activa as well, and when you brake both the brakes together your shoulder muscles pain (btw, they dont have disk brakes so you need to press really hard compared to bikes). So raised the topic of bikes at home.. and i see a big resistance for it, that i will fall, i will skid, what if someone hits you from behind or side etc,.

I saw Avenger as answer to all that. I hardly could not imagine anyone falling-off from such as short bike, which seems firmly planted with its big tyres. And additionally, 154 Kg, does not seem like can be easily hit from rear or side to be pulled-down. Also my times with sports bike is over i felt, i simply dont have the guts or pulse, to lean-forward and cut-here and there quick. I would prefer a relaxed comfortable drive in the traffic and highways. Finally after a lot of analysis and reading review, i booked the new 220 cc engine.

Many of you would be aware of additions in 220 cc (DC electricals, battery indicators, foam density improved etc,.). On the test drive, i found the pick-up improved compared to my previous TD with 200 and also i found the engine wanting to go for more and did not wobble even in wrong-gear-wrong speed ratios. Any how, i will update more details on this new 220 cc, after my first drive and service at 500 Km.

Only two issues bothering me are:
1. Rear shock absorbers - In earlier 200 CC the technical details say..
"Triple rateSpring, 5 way adjustable, Hydraulic Shock Absorvers, Vertical travel 90 mm", and is adjustable using a pin-spanner (for settings 0 to 5)

But in 220 CC, it says, "Hydraulic Shock Absorber" and that is it. Here at probiking, one of the guys said, it is not adjustible, but the other tech.guy says it is same as in 200 CC and is adjustable. I am confused, only time can answer that i suppose.

2. Other in accessories.. i am planning to go for side-bags (to keep in my laptop), hand-grip. Not sure if would get in J.C.road bangalore or should get in bajaj showroom. Anyone have side bag in only one side (does it look odd or disturb the balance). Does it affect pillion rider comfort ??

Anyhow, once again thanks a lot for inputs will update once i get the vehicle.

Thanks
Hari

[Dry Ice]

Hey congrats mate on the new bike!!

No idea about shocks and all, am still experimenting/learning with mine!

As far as the accessories go, you can have a look at the cramster saddle bags, not sure about quality etc, haven't used them personally.

[jkdas]

Congrats hkrish.

I didnt know that they added some other features to the Avenger when they plonked in the 220 engine. Do list those out.

You should be able to adjust the shock's as said. Check the manual.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Guys, help:

I am thinking about buying Avenger 220 (In Chennai). Does buying an avenger at this stage make sense? A lot of bikes have been launched recently, and I do like Fazer in particular but I somehow cant get my mind off Avenger. It was the same 4 years back when i got my P180 DTSi, and it is the same now.

My usage is mostly in chennai city outskirts (And less of traffic signals!).

How is the part availability and service for Avenger 220? Do chrome parts still have rusting problem? (My friend's 2006 180 Avenger had severe rusting on chrome parts!)

Buying decision is not yet final, as i do have a WagonR to use in Chennai. (And my good old Pulsar 180 back in trivandrum).

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

but I somehow cant get my mind off Avenger. It was the same 4 years back when i got my P180 DTSi, and it is the same now. ).

It does that to you!

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

How is the part availability and service for Avenger 220?

Should not be a problem considering it shares the mill with P220.

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Do chrome parts still have rusting problem? (My friend's 2006 180 Avenger had severe rusting on chrome parts!

I have had the bike since about 5 months, so far so good! No rusting

And for that little push, here is a pic I took some days back!

[manishalive]

I am a Bajaj Avenger 180 Owner from 2006 till date, love my ride instead of suffering many minor topple's and a wrist fracture a month ago.

The skidding of Avenger is a known fact on a loose ground. The reason for that is the bike is tail heavy and under hard braking with loose gravel beneath the front will skid. All this with standard tyres that came from the factory. May be some after market tyres would be good in that department, but not sure.

Back pains are also evedent for new riders, then you get used to it.The reason for that is that in Avenger you sit upright and thus all of the road shocks are trasmitted to your back unlike th ecase with pulsar or any other bike where part of the load is taken by your wrists.

You can adjust the shocks, but by default the shocks come set at last seeting on the softer side :O{. So probably if you find the ride too hard, there is probably nothing you can do, aeging will soften the shocks a bit.

Another sore point of Avenger is The seat which is uncomfartable for the rider and ver very uncomfartable for the pillion (Many of the trips me and my friend fight to be in the riders seat).

As far as Corrosion is concerned, yes the Avenger do corrodes and when I was in Chennai I had surface rust, later at bangalore due to location I am not having any rusting. But then there are ways to prevent rust.

Rusting of muffler / scilencer is there in all of the Bajaj bikes and while in Chennai was replaced 2 times under warranty.

Updates on P220,

One Magazine has said a wider rubber and an increase in wheelbase has improved the vehicle handling and stability. I think this infor is all that wrong. How can one write rubbish and be done with that.

Another Magazine tow improvements apart from change in heart is wider and more comfier seat (ah the much needed) and then there is DC powered Headlight.

Apart from that if there are any more finer points on 220 i would definitely like to know.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Dry Ice

It does that to you!

Nice pic!

Avenger 220 is coming with dual horns or single as in the 180?

Also, how is the 60W DC lighting? Is it sufficient for highways?

Originally Posted by manishalive

Updates on P220,

One Magazine has said a wider rubber and an increase in wheelbase has improved the vehicle handling and stability. I think this infor is all that wrong. How can one write rubbish and be done with that.

Another Magazine tow improvements apart from change in heart is wider and more comfier seat (ah the much needed) and then there is DC powered Headlight.

Apart from that if there are any more finer points on 220 i would definitely like to know.

Thank you so much for this detailed post. I have done quite a lot of driving on an Avenger 180, hence i am somewhat aware of the driving dynamics. Fortunately, i havent faced much issues with skidding. But wider rubber? What was the change, i hardly noticed anything in specs!

[manishalive]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Thank you so much for this detailed post. I have done quite a lot of driving on an Avenger 180, hence i am somewhat aware of the driving dynamics. Fortunately, i havent faced much issues with skidding. But wider rubber? What was the change, i hardly noticed anything in specs!

As far as I know 220 is with single Horn and the headlight of Avenger was the best in class and now it being DC powered it has only gon better.

For the rubber, please reread my post, I am complaining about the goofup by certain magazine.

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by manishalive

As far as I know 220 is with single Horn and the headlight of Avenger was the best in class and now it being DC powered it has only gon better.

Totally agree there. Headlight is pretty good and with the DC thing am sure it must become even better. Horn, dual or not, does its job and does it well, its loud enough!

One more change in the 220 is the 'low battery' indicator on the tank, in the console. You can read the full article at motoroids. They have pretty much covered everything.

[jkdas]

The OE tyres that came wasnt good and if you are unlucky you can kiss the road

I run on 140's these days. Lovely tyres.

[hkrish]

Hi

I too own an avy 220 CC. Really awesome machine.
I have not shared my feedback about the vehicle for quite long and my first service is also just over. Reason for delay.
I skid from my bike and had an accident.

Avenger (or any bike with front disk-brake, and rear-drum brake) skidding is a lot common.

Coming back to answer "CrAzY dRiVeR"s question:

1. Rusting i think it may not be a problem. In market there is a "Anit-Rust Coating" by the brand name "Release-On" which is available. You can apply that polish monthly once or twice in a month. It should solve the problem. Its around 90Rs.

2. Fazer Vs Avenger:
I think both are for different segments right. Avenger is a cruiser type, while fazer or other is a sports bike type, where you lean forward.
And when you lean forward (in sports style), the weight is transferred to shoulders and arms, this cause discomfort/pain in the hands/shoulders in sports bike. Also its quite common that pulsar bikes cause some kind off back-pain as you are not ergonomically placed.

3. Driving comfort:
A cruiser bike like avenger or more accurately harley davidson/royal enfield TBTS, will make you sit erect there by i have not heard of anyone having back-pain.
I have a sensitive back, and yes avenger is super smooth on clean roads and little tough on rough roads. This im planning to tackle by changing the handle-bar to curvy-handle bar from royal-enfield-TBTS or enticer, which makes my shoulder more relaxed. Will let you know once the mods are done.

4. Again FazerVs Avenger:
How much so-ever you may think, finally you will go by what the HEART says. And if the cruiser type has stolen your heart, finally you will go by that

But on a general note, i feel avy looks cool and comfy from outside MORE than the comfort what it ACTUALLY offers. This is my personal opinion though. But if you are a person thinking about cruising in the high-way for a relaxed drive (as the picture shown by DryICE), then i think sports bike is a bad idea.

5. Regarding skidding...
Please see the safe-driving threads in team-bhp and other forums.
Please buy the riding gears (gloves/armoured jacket) from cramster/DSG/Fox..etc,. My knee injury would have been avoided, if i had those riding gears...(more update on this later...)