New 2015 Bajaj Avenger Street: All you need to know

While the recent report from Moneycontrol/CNBC about the Bajaj Avenger launch in a week’s time didn’t turn entirely true, we did receive a bunch of spy images of this upcoming cruiser snapped at the Indian manufacturer’s Nagpur dealership. While there aren’t many details available at the moment, we had a hard look at the spy images to come up with this report about all that is there to know about the new Bajaj Cruiser.

Spied late last week, the new Avenger Street, that began its journey as Kawasaki Bajaj Eliminator about a decade ago, is said to be notoriously identical to the Harley-Davidson Street 750 Dark Custom. The spied variant of the Indian cruiser, tagged as the Street version (check out the side panel), sheds away the chrome bits and gets an all black paint job. The matte-black paint job replaces the regulation glossy paint finish and gets stickered on with an Bajaj badge. The new motorcycle also gets red graphic scheme on the tank which, according to us, the bike could have done without for a simple and elegant look. You may also notice that contrary to the orange blinker caps on the outgoing Avenger, the new variants will don clear-cover turn indicators.

In terms of design, most part of the motorcycle remains similar to the outgoing model and retains the original Japanese design that was introduced nearly a decade ago, including the fuel tank mounted fuel gauge and tell-tale lights cluster. However, the new Avenger receives an updated exhaust with dull silver painted heat-shield. The conventional spoke wheels have been replaced by alloys, mostly to install tubeless tires.

Another surprising update that we saw on the Street model was the expulsion of the cruiser style pillion back rest. From what we assume, this detail will be specific only for the street variant and Bajaj will most likely introduce a touring spec model that will be equipped with a pillion back support and a windshield. If wishes were horses, we would make them gallop and get us a pair of panniers too.

The model that we see in the spy images is a 200cc 220cc air and oil cooled engine which is likely to be the same unit that powers the outgoing variant of the Avenger. Even the horn sits at the same place as the current generation Avenger but now comes painted in black.

These spy images indicate that the new Avenger is ready to roll, and will be very shortly, most probably before October end while the festive season is still in full swing. Bajaj may retain the Cocktail Wine Red and Plasma Blue colour options from the current Avenger. Other variants of the Avenger are expected to feature unique graphics to distinguish between the variants. Bajaj has always offered terrific value, and we expect the new Avenger to carry on with the trend. We expect the price to be in the region of Rs 90k to 1 lakh for the 220 Street variant.

So what are your first thoughts on this refreshed Bajaj Cruiser. Yay or Naay? Do let us know your opinions through a medium of your choice. We’re always listening.