Replacement For Displacement

Despite the smaller displacement, the Bajaj Avenger Street 160 makes more or less the same power as the 180 it replaces. But is it any different from the saddle?

- Ravi Ved

Bajaj Avenger Street 160 Engine: 160.4cc / Single-Cylinder / 2-Valve/ Air-Cooled

Transmission: 5-Speed

Power: 14.7bhp @ 8,500rpm

Torque: 13.5Nm @ 7,000rpm

Price: 82,253 (Ex-showroom, Delhi)

Over the past few years, Bajaj has been very experimental with the Avenger range of motorcycles. In October 2015, they brought in the new Avenger Street 150, along with the Street and Cruise 220s. This update was a long time coming, and it brought a fresh appeal to the Avenger range. A little over a year into the launch, the Chakan-based bikemaker discontinued the Avenger Street 150 and replaced it with the 180 – a move that made it better value.

Now, the company has replaced the 180 with the new Avenger Street 160. While this one has a marginally smaller motor, it makes almost the same power and torque as the model it replaces. Since this move left us absolutely puzzled about the company’s intentions, we spent a day with the Avenger Street 160 to solve this puzzle.

Why 160?

While the initial sales of the Avenger Street 180 were reasonable, the numbers subsided with time. According to Bajaj, since it was positioned close to the 220s in terms of price, customers preferred the ‘bigger’ Avenger over the 180. But now, with the introduction of the 160, the gap is now more prominent.

At its heart