Road Test Review: 2011 Bajaj Avenger 220 DTS-i

Design

The bike doesn’t look too different as compared to the three instalments that we have witnessed throughout the last decade. In fact, though it gets the 220cc engine derived from the current Pulsar 220 DTS-i, it doesn’t get the all-black treatment for the engine case either – it still has the grey shade that started off with the Eliminator. The side panels get the ‘220’ tag and if you belong to the eagle-eyed bunch, you’ll notice the extra row of radiator fins on the oil-cooler, a ‘low-battery’ tell-tale light on the tank console  and an extra notch on the ignition lock that turns on the parking lights.

I would have loved to see is a different mounting position the ignition lock at least now. You see, cruisers are either preferred by chilled out blokes who are too uninitiated to understand the beauty of sporty motorcycles, or by fat bucks with big beer bellies who can’t get onto the sporty motorcycles anyway. For the latter, it becomes quite difficult to bend all the way down and search for the ignition lock. However, this design element (or flaw?) also doubles up as a safety feature! It becomes mandatory for you to wear your riding gloves to avoid burning your finger tips off the hot engine while searching for that damn keyhole.

Apart from these minor additions, there is nothing visually different about the new Avenger 220. You still get the low slung, long tank, big seat, chrome garnished, grey engined entry level cruiser with a conventional handlebar and an integrated back rest. This design still looks fresh for the segment and even after a decade of existence, it has aged well. With the additional accessories like a huge wind-shield and a few leather bags here and there, the Avenger looks well balanced even for its small engine and should continue to be a favourite amongst the cruiser loving crowd.

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