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BAJAJ BOXER : BIKE INDIA REVIEW

Auto experts put the Bajaj Boxer to the test and their verdict is overwhelmingly solid!

Abhay Verma Feb 14, 2019
Review

Design and features

The Avenger 150 Street gets the same design and matte finish as its elder siblings, the Avenger 220 Street and Cruise. In fact, from a distance it is difficult to differentiate the 150 Street from the 220 Street thanks to their identical alloys and matte black finish. The 150 Street though gets a dark blue hue with a glossy finish as opposed to the 220 Street’s matte black paintjob. Despite being a new motorcycle in the family, the 150’s design is the same as the Avenger that we have been seeing all these years. All three Avengers, including the 150, have been given some comprehensive updates and few design changes though for a fresher, more contemporary appearance. The matte black finish has become the norm for cruisers of late, and it isn’t surprising Bajaj has gone in for the same with the 150 Street.

The Avenger 150 Street gets a 17-inch alloy upfront and a 15-incher at the back in keeping with the cruiser styling, and these do well in giving it a low stance. The single pod instrument cluster now gets a digital odo/tripmeter, while the arrangement of the tell-tale lights on the fuel tank has been revised – this is a bit irritating though, since you have to almost search for the neutral light or the light for the turn indicators till you get used to this arrangement. The clear lens indicators look nice, though I felt an LED tail light would have given the rear a more contemporary look, along with the new, matte-black finished grab rail. In a nutshell, this is a nice motorcycle that will appeal to the target audience, especially since matte finishes are in vogue currently.

Engine and Performance

The biggest talking point. This 150cc mill has been around for a really long time, and Bajaj has been working on it consistently, each time it has updated a model using the engine. As a result it feels extremely smooth now, with a silky feel throughout the rev range. Bajaj claims low to midrange torque delivery has been beefed up significantly this time around, and I was pleasantly surprised to note how punchy the motor feels. Rolling on the throttle even in higher gears results in noticeable acceleration, and this is easily the best state of tune for this air-cooled motor. Not that it was missed, but the Avenger 150 does not get the 220’s oil cooler. Power output is on-par with most 150cc motorcycles in the market at 14.5PS, while peak torque produced is 12.5Nm.

The Avenger 150 feels quick and despite its higher weight of 148kg as compared to other 150s in the market it should be nearly as quick in terms of acceleration. The engine feels best cruising at 80-90kmph and should make the Avenger 150 a likeable tourer. And that’s besides the fact that it will be good commuter in the city with its kind of performance and well-spaced gear ratios. Another big improvement is the gearbox – shifts are a lot better with a more positive feel and slot better than before too. The clutch is lighter as well, adding to the pleasant feel, be it in city or on the highway.

Verdict

On the whole, one has to admit Bajaj is creating yet another niche by launching what is the first ever 150cc cruiser in the country. Small capacity cruisers are commonplace in other markets and do well, and we see no reason for the Avenger 150 Street to not click with buyers wanting a motorcycle offering a mix of performance and efficiency along with the looks and feel of a cruiser while being light enough to ride in city every day. The matte black finish adds to its appeal, giving it a contemporary look. The star of the Avenger 150’s show though is its brilliant engine that offers brisk performance, good refinement, and is mated to a slick five-speed gearbox. All this at Rs 75,000 ex-showroom New Delhi, a price point that’s in the same league as regular 150cc motorcycles. So yes, to sum it up the Avenger 150 Street does complete Bajaj Auto’s 150cc product portfolio, and in a way that’s hard to not appreciate.

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