Bajaj Street Avenger 220: chopper and classic, two in one

Some motorcycles are too unusual to be unconditionally classified into any particular class, and the Bajaj Avenger Street 220 is one of them. This lightweight bike absorbed the features of both classic “road bikes” and cruisers , and, oddly enough, the hybrid turned out to be very viable and attractive. It costs more than some Chinese small-capacity motorcycles, but the Bajaj Avenger Street 220 motorcycle is superior to most of them, at least in appearance. Quite simple in terms of design, the bike from Indian designers turned out to be very successful, and we will tell you why.

Technical specifications of Bajaj Avenger Street 220

When you first look at this bike, its creation was inspired by the success of the Kawasaki Vulcan S, which became the first such experiment in combining the features of a cruiser and a road motorcycle. However, the Bajaj Avenger Street 220 2022 model year (when the last restyling was carried out) acts in a completely different weight category, and its competitors are mainly small-capacity Japanese and Chinese bikes. It should be noted that it looks organic and does not seem cobbled together from parts of other motorcycles. This flirtation with styles brings to mind the old Yamaha Virago series, designed according to the same principles - the external features of a cruiser combined with a classic landing. However, in the case of the Bajaj Avenger Street 220, reviews from owners unanimously state that sitting on this motorcycle is comfortable for everyone, except for those with a very heroic physique.

You shouldn’t expect any modern technologies from an Indian small-capacity bike, but for its price the bike is pretty well equipped. Engine - single-cylinder 4-valve (19 hp and 17.5 Nm) , with 2 spark plugs, air-oil , gearbox - 5-speed . Eternal classic! By the way, according to unofficial data, the service life of the Bajaj Avenger Street 220 engine is stated as 100 thousand kilometers , which seems to be true, and the maximum speed is 135 km/h . There are many small-capacity cars that have driven their first hundred thousand without engine problems, such as the Yamaha Ebrik, which, by the way, is assembled in China. The 2022 Avenger Street 220 gets some minor changes - a digital instrument panel instead of an analogue one, an LED headlight, a different taillight and a few other little things. The gas tank holds 14 liters of fuel, and the carburetor bike easily digests AI-92, consuming about 3.5 liters per 100 km . The brakes are also good - a 260mm disc at the front and a drum at the rear, but in both cases the braking system is hydraulic rather than mechanical. The information content of the brakes of the Bajaj Avenger Street 220 motorcycle can be called not exactly excellent, but quite acceptable.

Bollywood blockbuster: Bajaj Avenger Cruise 220 DTS-i 2022

You can say whatever you want about the Bajaj company: on the one hand, it is difficult to love motorcycles sold in the lower price range of the market - they do not captivate with their design, do not shine with high technology and almost original engineering solutions. On the other hand, this is exactly what our compatriots need in today’s market, which is far from overheated by money - sales of Bajaj in Russia almost double every year: according to unofficial data, in quantitative terms, Indians sell motorcycles almost like BMW, the leader of the domestic motorcycle market.

Getting to know the updated Bajaj Avenger is somewhat similar to getting to know a new boss - think what you want about him, but you will have to work with him under the same roof, so try to accept him and, if not love him, then just find something to respect him for . Otherwise, you will wince every time you meet him, and there will probably be a lot of motorcycles with such an appearance and a price tag of 159,000 rubles on the street.

Video version of the Bajaj Avenger Cruise 220 test drive:

However, not on every street - in Belokamennaya the device clearly will not take root, the public is too spoiled. She won’t be won over by the story that in her past life, before she was born an Indian, the Avenger was a real Kawasaki Eliminator 250, nor will she fall for shiny trinkets like chrome-plated spoked wheels, the back of the passenger seat, mufflers, turn signals, strangely shaped headlights and dashboard with trim on the tank.

From the outside, the updated Avenger looks cooler than the previous generation model

For them, by the way, the Avenger is produced in the Street version, in “casting”, without a windshield and with blackened trim elements instead of chrome, but even in such a stylish design, the device will gain wide popularity in the capital only as a donor of units for some something custom. But for regions, especially those not spoiled by old Japanese trash, the Avenger in any of its versions will be just right.

Or rather, it has already happened - the device has been on our market for several years now, and is enjoying some popularity, and we will tell you about the updated device for the 2022 model year. It seems that there is something to talk about, because in total the motorcycle received about five dozen different changes, but even the importer’s representatives themselves could not talk about each of them - the modifications were too minor.

The age of the chassis is not noticeable, quite a modern Asian cruiser

But there are changes that are visible to the naked eye - for example, a new strangely shaped headlight, replacing the classic round one. Well, why not? Harley-Davidson is experimenting with design, what kind of Fat Bob did they kill, why are we worse? This is probably what Bajaj thought, and, in my opinion, it was in vain - experiments with design are good anywhere, but not in the cruiser segment. Unless, of course, you're Harley-Davidson.

The new headlight should look cool, but it doesn't look much better than the old round one.

The same can be said about the new digital instrument panel - instead of an analog speedometer with an analog fuel level indicator, there is now a round monitor with a clock, odometer, speedometer and a fuel level strip scale displaying the weather on the moon. And the warning lamps have moved to the tank - you don’t often look here, which makes you constantly forget about turning off the turn signals while driving.

The digital instrument panel with a monochrome display loses the readability and style of the old analogue needle.

In short, the ergonomics of the devices are so-so, it was better before. But the remote controls have not changed - simple and even crooked, everything is in its place and everything is familiar, cheap, cheerful and most importantly - reliable. The same applies to other controls - levers, brakes, without failures or revelations. The only things I didn’t like were the mirrors, which I couldn’t adjust to my height, and the windshield bracket – the welding points of chrome rods, painted silver, too much even for Indians.

The indicator lamps on the tank are bright, however, you have to look at them, they do not fall into the field of lateral vision

But the windshield itself adequately protects from the oncoming flow: if your height fits the definition of “medium” or “small,” you can hide behind a fly swatter, but my head sticks out exactly above it, so everything that lifts the glass flies straight into the helmet - it turns out noisy , but the feeling of speed increases - it seems that you are going faster than you really are, so this size mismatch does not bother you.

The windshield is an excellent option that will be especially appreciated by people of short and average height

Just like the gearbox pedal does not strain, both shoulders of which, even with my size 48 feet, cannot be pressed at the same time. You have to shift the 5-speed gearbox as usual, but the knowledge that you can upshift if you want also warms your heel. It's a small thing, but it's nice! The gearbox generally pleases with its clarity, although it could have been more informative - over 400 kilometers, which is exactly how much I covered on the test motorcycle, I caught a false neutral only once, but every second time I could detect the real neutral only by clicking the gears to the first.

The side stand looks more expensive than on some Harley models

But this does not cause irritation, trifles, like the indecently soft clutch lever, which works on the “on/off” principle. While KTM creates mechanisms that make squeezing and shifting easier, the Indians simply stuck soft springs into the clutch package, which is why it engages with some delay, although it does not slip. Why would it slip, the engine produces only 19 horsepower and 17.5 Nm of torque closer to the middle... Feelings. The tachometer never appeared on the updated Avenger.

Chopper geometry adds chassis stability without the highest torsional load resistance

The small engine has nothing in common with KTM - 219 cubes, one cylinder, air-oil cooling and a carburetor with manual suction just by its appearance sends us back thirty years ago. But there are three spark plugs here, and the power unit provides acceptable dynamics for a light, 154-kilogram motorcycle. Enough to always be ahead of the flow of cars at the start from a traffic light and, with a tailwind, to see on the speedometer a figure similar to 136 km/h, which is 10-15 percent ahead of reality.

The engine is the standard of simplicity and reliability: air cooling, carburetor, one cylinder

The main thing is that even at the limit, the Avenger is not intimidating - the fork geometry and a decent wheelbase add stability on the straights, and in general the chassis is not intimidating when twisting. At high speed, the motorcycle likes to straighten its trajectories, so it’s better to go into corners with a reserve, but there is not the slightest hint of swing - the rear shock absorbers, even though they have adjustable spring preload, are difficult to press even with a 110 kg rider, but they can still be tightened!

Rear shock absorbers are too stiff even in their most relaxed state

For what? I think they just installed what they had, without bothering too much with the suspension settings, which is only emphasized by the rather soft fork, which can be pressed to the end by holding the front brake, for example, at a traffic light. However, on the move, even under my weight, the front suspension is not bad, the main thing is not to brake on bumps, where the front end immediately breaks

But on the contrary, I want to make the fork stiffer. However, this can be solved by simply replacing the oil with a more viscous one.

Much more important is the ergonomics of the driver's seat - the saddle is large and, relative to the profile of the motorcycle, is located high. In theory, it should be comfortable, but the pillow is too hard, and the rise separating the driver and passenger seats personally cuts right into my tailbone. Combine this with the modest travel of hard rear shock absorbers and you’ll end up with a lower back falling off after just 200 kilometers. And that is not all.

The passenger backrest is a great bonus, but not everyone will like the raised driver's seat

While driving the Avenger, I caught myself thinking that I constantly wanted to compare it with other 250 cc, or even larger, cruisers, and always not in its favor. From the saddle it doesn't look like a motorcycle at all. What does it look like? One little thing immediately put everything in its place: it seems that this is the first motorcycle in my life whose 14-liter tank runs out before my knees begin - I have to hold on to it with my shins.

Don’t let the appearance of the motorcycle deceive you, in fact it is a maxi-scooter with “mechanics”

Well, what kind of motorcycle is this? This is a real maxi-scooter with a high central tunnel, and the steering wheel is positioned similarly, and the lack of rear suspension and the wide saddle, everything falls into place. And the device even brakes like a compact “maxi” - a front two-piston “floating” caliper, not very informative, not capable of lifting the device into a “stoppie”, but quite effective for a light and not too fast motorcycle in combination with a completely uninformative rear brake drum, requiring tremendous effort to lock the rear wheel.

The drum brake on the Avenger is quite appropriate, as are the spoked wheels with inner tubes

The Avenger feels like a real scooter even in heavy traffic - the huge angle of rotation of the steering wheel, which, by the way, is the widest part of the device, the light weight, with such a set of plugs you can flash faster than many. Cool. However, this maneuverability further separates the Avenger from a true cruiser.

The handling and maneuverability of the Bajaj Avenger Cruise is more like a maxiscooter

The bottom line is that we get an excellent vaginal ventilator and an alternative to a 250-300 cc maxi scooter with similar dynamics, handling and comfort. Yes, instead of a manual variator, and instead of a seat tank, there’s an abundance of chrome and a chopper look, but otherwise it’s flesh and blood. If you treat the Avenger as a means of transportation, you will be satisfied; for cities with calm traffic and unspoiled ladies, this is an excellent option; you will be waiting for a full-fledged cruiser...

When you want to watch some American action movie, turn on an Indian movie about some super hero throwing cars, feel the difference. It's this gulf that separates Hollywood special effects from Bollywood, and it's exactly the size of the gulf between the Avenger and, say, an ancient Yamaha Virago 250.

Photos of Bajaj Avenger Cruise 220 DTS-i 2018:

We thank East West Motors for providing us with a motorcycle for testing.

Accreditation and organization of test drives – Denis Sokolov | | +7 (999) 851-49-71​​​​​

Pros and cons of Bajaj Avenger Street 220

Advantages

• Surprisingly good build quality , without untidy hanging wires, loose nuts and other shortcomings that owners of small-capacity bikes are accustomed to.
• A spacious 14-liter gas tank combined with moderate appetites and undemanding quality of fuel.
• Stylish appearance and comfortable fit.
• Moderate weight - only 150 kg , and thanks to the low center of gravity, the motorcycle subjectively seems even lighter.
• Informative dashboard , which even warns of low battery levels.

Flaws

• Rear drum brake instead of disc brake.
• Reliable, but rather rigid and uninformative suspensions without any adjustments.
• Centrifugal oil filter instead of disposable paper one. Quite a strange decision considering that the engine of the Bajaj Avenger Street 220 is quite well thought out.
• Short service intervals.

Distinctive features

In terms of comfort and convenience, the Indian bike will give a head start to any of its competitors:

• low landing;
• double soft seat;
• indicators indicating the gear engaged and battery charge;
• good maneuverability;
• controllability.

In terms of technical characteristics, the Avenger street 220 DTS-i also distinguished itself:

• engine capacity 220 l/s;
• air cooling system;
• 2 candles;
• front suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers;
• brake mechanisms with hydraulic drive;
• high ground clearance - 169 millimeters;
• capacious battery – 9 Ah.

The manufacturer provides a 2-year warranty on its product, which indicates the high quality of the bike.

The Avenger street model can be ordered with delivery to your address if desired. The service is available throughout Belarus, including the most remote cities. The need for delivery is discussed with the manager at the stage of discussing the order.

BAJAJ Avenger street 220 DTS-i is a great model created to enjoy driving on the roads!

The feeling of being at one with the road comes when you ride the Avenger Street 220 with an engine that produces enough torque to dominate every stretch of road.

In 2022, the updated version of the Bajaj Avenger Street was released. The changes mainly affected the appearance, namely:

• digital instrument panel
• led headlight
• redesigned rear light

as well as some minor minor design changes. DTS-I A patented technology that has made Bajaj motorcycles, particularly the Avenger, the most popular motorcycle both on the road and under the watchful eye of competitors. At the heart of every Avenger is some of the most advanced engine technology ever created. DTS-i is a technological marvel. It combines a combination of two or three spark plugs, TRICS III ignition and throttle control and CDI to provide maximum performance with minimum fuel consumption and emissions levels.

TWO SPARK PLUGS Most ignition systems have a single spark plug. The flame front created by the spark requires some time for complete combustion of the working mixture. Because of this, combustion may occur slowly and not completely.

With Twin Spark, two spark plugs are fired at the same time. This process allows the mixture to ignite in every corner of the combustion chamber, resulting in complete and rapid combustion. The entire process is controlled by the DTS-i electronic system.

Reviews from Bajaj Avenger Street 220 owners

I bought the Bajaj new in the summer of 2022 and was tempted by the two-year warranty from the dealer. Well, what can I say, the motorcycle, of course, is worth the money, it was clearly not assembled on the knee, the engine was developed jointly with KTM, which is already a serious bid for victory. But damn, who thought of putting a torquey motor on an almost chopper? There are no lows, no highs, it only goes at medium speeds. Otherwise, no complaints. Igor, Sochi, Bajaj Avenger Street 220 '2018.

The Chinese cramps were not even close, I don’t know how they assemble Bajaji in India, but after purchasing it in the salon, you just need to fill it with normal oil, and you can go. The mileage is already 12,000+, zero problems, you drive and change the oil on time, that’s all. Minimum maintenance costs. Sergey, Moscow, Bajaj Avenger Street 220 '2017.

After the purchase, I drove it for a little over a month and sold it; I was not impressed with the moped at all. It drives sluggishly, brakes lazily, except that it looks interesting and steers easily. If it had cost 50 thousand less, it wouldn’t have been worth it, but the price is clearly too high. Vladimir, Chelyabinsk, Bajaj Avenger Street 220 '2018.

Similar models

• Irbis Garpia 250. A light Chinese cruiser, which in terms of engine characteristics and behavior on the road is very similar to the hero of our article.
• Lifan Virginia 250 . A more “cruising” bike with a V-twin, but just as light and very peppy.
• Honda Rebel 250 . An honored veteran of the roads, replaced quite a long time ago by the 300 cc version. A used copy is inexpensive.

Total

Indian designers managed to come up with and bring to life a truly interesting motorcycle that took the best from two classes at once. Stylish , not like a fake of famous models, easy to use and inexpensive - what else does a beginner need? It cannot be said that the Bajaj Avenger Street 220 motorcycle is suitable for everyone; after all, it is very different from most of its competitors, but for some novice motorcyclists it can be the ticket to the world of two-wheeled vehicles.

Video Review

Specifications

Small and so good

Actually, I haven't introduced the hero yet. Meet the Bajaj Avenger 220, a mini-cruiser with a 19-horsepower, 220cc single-cylinder engine. If you have ever seen a photo of a large Indian city, the question of a modest cubic capacity will disappear by itself. Where else can they go, where can they drive in a dense stream of “their own kind”?

Avenger is a cruiser, although small. With all the typical style elements. Considering the size of the motorcycle itself, the saddle can be said to be luxurious, and its height is also low. This will definitely appeal to small novice drivers: in traffic jams you can rest securely on both legs without fear of dropping the “device.” But I’m not sure that a person taller than 180 cm will be comfortable here

The test week proved that even in a metropolis such an engine is quite sufficient: of course, if we are talking about banal movement around the city, and not a frantic pursuit of adrenaline. Yes, it actually doesn’t go more than 100 km/h – in this regard, overtaking trucks on the sidelines make you a little worried. But in the center you feel absolutely at ease. The small and light Avenger will fit into any available “hole”, even under the control of a novice. Again, it forgives such mistakes as turning the throttle too sharply or “throwing” the clutch, and teaches you to change gears on time. The Bajaj handles very well for motorcycles of this class, and the two-piston front disc brake makes you forget about the rear drum brake - it’s so good.

1 of 5

The speedometer and odometer are, in fact, all the instruments. It is strange that despite the presence of an LCD display, there is no basic clock function. Yes, and instead of the blue manufacturer’s logo, I would prefer to see turn signal indicators - I think it would easily fit

Indicators and warning lamps are located on the tank. The selected gear is not displayed at all – only neutral (letter N)

Of course, there is no point in comparing this motorcycle with “adult” cruisers, which are at least several times (sometimes an order of magnitude) more expensive. Here the plastic is simpler, the chrome is thinner, and you can find fault with the assembly. But as soon as you remember its price ($2300), you forget about the claims.

To be honest, I can’t even find an alternative – if we’re talking specifically about new motorcycles. By the way, in addition to this Street version, there is also a Cruise with spoked wheels, a windshield and a backrest for the rear passenger. You can even buy it in gold color with a brown saddle to stroke your biker ego. Just don't forget your leather jacket!