Bajaj Avenger Street 160

The design of the Avenger 160 Street is similar to that of the old Avenger 180. Every aspect, including body panels, wheels, headlight, tail light, tank, and graphics, remains identical to the Avenger 180. While this lack of difference in styling between the two cruisers is notable, it ensures that Avenger 180 owners can easily replace parts and panels with those from the Avenger 160 Street.

The Avenger 160 Street is powered by a 160cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine producing 15PS and 13.7Nm. The cruiser feels very comfortable to ride around in urban areas and the engine is very tractable for that too. On the highway, you can cruise around at speeds of 70-80kmph. Above those speeds, vibrations can be felt from the footpegs. The 5-speed gearbox is smooth and the light clutch action enhances the experience as well.

During our tests, the Avenger 160 Street returned a real-world mileage of 53.72kmpl on the highway and 46.83kmpl in the city. These numbers are okay but could have been better. The 13-litre fuel tank gives a theoretical range of about 630km on a full tank.

Inside the city, the Avenger 160 Street feels agile and you can effortlessly navigate through traffic. The bike feels stable in the corners too. The suspension setup is on the softer side and smoothly absorbs minor bumps and potholes. Along with the suspension, the well-cushioned seat reduces vibrations felt by the rider.

The single-channel ABS is very helpful in risky situations. The bite from the front disc brake is good.

The Avenger 160 Street has a very low 730mm seat height. The forward-set footpegs and flat handlebar ensure an easy-going riding posture. While it may be comfortable for shorter riders, taller ones might feel a little cramped. One big pain point is that the placement of the left and right footpegs isn’t uniform. For tall riders, the left handlebar tends to brush against the knee during tight left turns, while the experience on right turns is very different. Additionally, despite its extended 1480mm wheelbase, the Avenger 160 Street lacks the wide turning radius typical of traditional cruisers, so that’s a big advantage in city commutes. While the softly padded seats are comfortable for city rides, it might be uncomfortable for the rider on longer rides. 

The Bajaj cruiser comes equipped with a single-pod instrument console featuring an analog speedometer and a digital display for details like the tripmeter and odometer. The small headlight mask has no functional purpose. Switchgear quality is moderate. The overall build quality, with the visible welding marks, clearly reflects the bike's budget-oriented build quality. As an entry-level motorcycle, the Bajaj Avenger 160 Street doesn't get a lot of features. It is equipped with a single-channel ABS and a Rear-Lift Protection (RLP) sensor, an interesting addition for avoiding accidental stoppies, though it might seem a bit hard to achieve in  a cruiser.

Remaining the most affordable cruiser bike available in India, the entry-level Avenger takes affordability a step further, particularly with the Avenger 160 Street model from Bajaj.

If you’re looking for the most affordable cruiser in India, the Bajaj Avenger 160 is the only option, and it does satisfy one’s expectations from a budget cruiser. While it may lack the performance for an ideal highway cruising experience, the 220cc sibling offers that option. For everyday city commutes and for short weekend rides, the Avenger 160 Street is good enough.