Bajaj Avenger Cruise 220

Until Suzuki came out with the Intruder 150, the Bajaj Avenger Cruise 220 was pretty much uncontested in the entry-level cruiser segment. The Avenger features an old-school cruiser styling thanks to the raked out front forks and low seat. Notable features include a digital instrument cluster with blue backlight and highway comfort handlebars. You also get a cushioned backrest for the pillion, and new colour schemes for the 2018 model (Moon White and Auburn Black).

The cruiser is powered by a 220cc DTS-i air-and-oil-cooled engine that generates 19.03PS at 8400rpm and 17.5Nm at 7000rpm. The powerplant is mated to a 5-speed gearbox.

The Cruise 220 doesn’t get ABS. Instead, it makes do with a 260mm disc up front and a 130mm drum unit at the rear. Suspension duties are carried out by twin shock absorbers at the rear and telescopic forks with anti-friction bush at the front. For 2018, the rear suspension’s travel has been increased by 12 per cent. This should translate into better ride quality on Indian roads. The motorcycle measures 2210mm in length, 806mm in width and 1142mm in height. With a 1490mm wheelbase and raked-out forks, it gets a little tricky to manoeuvre at low speeds, especially in heavy traffic. The ground clearance stands at 169mm. Tipping the scales at 159kg (kerb), the bike’s weight isn’t too bad for a cruiser. The 17-inch front and the 15-inch rear spoke wheels are shod with 90-section front and 130-section rear tyres, respectively.

The bike lacks ABS (Anti-braking system), which is a definite disgrace. However, the included braking mechanism performs efficiently to provide confidence to the rider. There is front disc brake set up with anti-friction tubeless tyre and a wide rear radial tubeless tyre for enhanced stability and control.