Bajaj Avenger 160 ABS Street First Ride: Mixed Experiences!

Bajaj Avenger 160 ABS Street is now available in Nepal.

HH Bajaj, the authorized distributors of Bajaj motorcycles in Nepal, recently launched the Bajaj Avenger 160 ABS in Nepal.

Bajaj Avenger series is one of the most popular bikes in the cruiser segment.

While there are few major brands trying to dominate the cruiser lineup, none have been as successful as the Avenger.

Despite the success, Bajaj Avenger has gone through several engine iterations. The new Bajaj Avenger 160 is the fourth engine iteration, following Avenger 150, Avenger 180, and Avenger 220.

Bajaj Avenger 160 ABS Street price in Nepal is Rs. 3,29,900.

Interestingly, it is quite a drastic price hike, especially compared to the previous 2018 Bajaj Avenger 180 (priced at Rs 2.71 Laks).

What does the new Avenger 160 bring to the table? Does it really justify the high price?

We’ll try to figure that out in our Bajaj Avenger 160 ABS Street Full Review. 

Before that, we are just a few hours testing the new Avenger. Here is our first impression of the new Bajaj Avenger 160 ABS Street.

Bajaj Avenger 160 ABS Street First Ride

Roadster Design

Bajaj Avenger 160 ABS Street comes with a “Roadster” or “Sportster” inspired design.

Compared to the Avenger Cruise model, the Street model is more city-focused featuring modern yet sporty design.

Starting on the front, the Avenger 160 comes with pretty familiar elements. Again, we have already seen this design before, sharing an uncanny resemblance with the 2018 Bajaj Avenger 180.

On the front, it gets a single-piece street-control handlebar, blacked-out visor, LED DRLs, and black suspension cover.

Moreover, it gets a unique “Roadster” styled headlamp and side-indicators. Unfortunately, both come with halogen bulbs.

Moving to the side profile, the Avenger Street still reserves the classic cruiser look.

The front-set foot position, the long low-slung seat, and 12-spoke alloy wheel design reinstates its iconic heritage while adding to the modern appeal. 

Adding to the overall design, there are other elements that help bring out the sporty feel.

Coming to the rear section, there aren’t any noticeable changes. It still comes with a halogen tail lamp alongside the sport grab bar. It also gets a distinctive blacked-out exhaust, in with two new body colors.

Bajaj Avenger 160 ABS Street is available in two colors: Spicy Red and Ebony Black.

ALSO READ: Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 ABS First Ride: Surprising Experience

Cruiser Performance

Bajaj Avenger Street 160 is powered by a 160.37cc, 2-valve, Air-cooled, DTS-I Engine.

It can generate a max power of 15PS at 8500rpm and max torque of 13.5Nm at 7000rpm. Moreover, it is mated to a 5-speed gearbox with a 13-liter fuel tank capacity.

On a side note, the 160cc engine generates 0.5PS less power and 0.2Nm less torque than the previous 180cc engine.

Unfortunately, the new engine is still a BS4-compliant carburetor engine!

While the Bajaj Avenger 160 in the Indian markets is already available in the BS6-complaint FI engine, we don’t get the luxury to choose our preferred engine. 

In any case, the new Avenger 160 comes with… interesting performance.

Initially, I expected the engine to mimic Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 performance. However, that wasn’t the case at all.

The engine feels like a slightly tuned engine, trying to match with the Cruiser riding style.

We will try our best to explain more in just a bit.

Features

Bajaj Avenger 160 ABS comes with few decent features up its sleeves.

However, most of the features were already present in past Avenger models like 150 and 180. Nonetheless, these features are noteworthy which comes with a sense of practicality.

Starting on the front, Avenger 160 gets a 55W Roadster Design Headlamp with a lower LED DRL. Moreover, it gets the classically styled side indicators.

Additionally, the front black suspension cover helps with modern design.

Also, it gets an analog styled instrument cluster with a small secondary display (with Odo and Trip meter info). 

It is a classic cruiser with extra information displayed on the fuel tank.

Personally, the information on offer (like Neutral, Side Indicator, High Beam Indicator, etc.) feels practical. However, I still wished Bajaj included the sidelight indicator on the upper cluster instead of the lower one.

The side profile is complete with a low slung long seat. 

If you haven’t experienced a cruiser before, the 737mm seat height, 167mm ground clearance, and front-seat footpegs might feel awkward at first.

ALSO READ: Suzuki Gixxer 155 First Ride: Great First Impression!

For the initial impression, I’d say that it is weirdly comfortable. Moreover, the suspension setup is a standard one with a front telescopic and rear twin shock absorber.

The 90/90 17-inch front and 130/90 15-inch rear tyres complete a muscular look. 

On top of that, it features a traditional braking system, with a front disc and rear drum. Now, it gets additional support from a new single-channel ABS on the front.

The metal body feels premium, comes with a slice of pride while riding the new Avenger.

Bajaj Avenger 160 ABS Street Feature Highlights

• Premium Metal Body Feel
• Roadster Street Graphics
• New 160cc BS IV-compliant Engine
• Street-Control Handlebar
• Roadster Design Headlamp
• Single-Channel ABS
• 130/90-R15 Wider Rear Tyre
• Comfortable Seats
• Long Low Sung Seat
• Relaxed Riding Stance

First Ride Experience

There’s a lot to unpack here. 

On paper, Bajaj Avenger 160 ABS Street might feel like an excellent 160cc cruiser. However, the experience is different.

I had set my initial expectations. While Avenger 160 ABS lives up to that expectation, I am not seeing the whole picture.

Sure, the bike still needs a few extra tests, just to confirm my doubts.

Let’s start with the engine.

Contrary to popular belief, the new 160cc engine isn’t a direct copy from Bajaj Pulsar NS 160. The engine is still a Twin-Spark DTS-I engine, but Avenger 160 ABS gets an air-cooled system instead of an oil-cooled.

The overall performance also seems different. Avenger 160 ABS seems reasonably powerful. However, it seems to lack in torque, with a disappointing pickup feel.

The ride position feels different but comfortable. Similarly, the braking performance comes with a standard front disc and rear drum. Moreover, Bajaj has also included single-channel ABS as standard.

As far as I can tell, the front braking performance is okay. However, the rear braking performance is mediocre! 

But I will give Avenger the benefit of the doubt. 

There are few things that I fell in love with like the gear shifts are nice, comfortable seats, and the premium design.

Bajaj Avenger 160 is supposed to be built for cruising, city roads, and highways to be exact.

It will be interesting to see in the real world scenarios, including the unwelcoming rough roads in Kathmandu.

Moreover, we are yet to test the Bajaj Avenger 160 through various trials, thoroughly testing out everything from the suspension to fuel efficiency to practicality.

During my initial ride experience, I ended up with mixed emotions. As in, I don’t really know if I really like this cruiser or really hate it.

Guess, we’ll find out soon enough.

We’ll be sure to let you know our experience in the Bajaj Avenger 160 ABS Street Full Review!

Also, watch our Bajaj Dominar 400 review video in Nepali.