Bajaj Avenger 220 ABS launching soon: Prices to be bumped up

The Avenger 220 has been one of the most successful and known motorcycle for Bajaj. The motorcycle is known for its classic look and cruiser appeal which it offers in a budget. It among the least expensive cruiser type bike you can buy in India which offers sufficient power to match the looks.

Now, word has it that Bajaj will soon be updating the Avenger 220 Cruise and Street with a single-channel ABS unit. This will further enhance the already good bikes and will provide safety while hard braking.

As for the question of which type of ABS, we expect Bajaj to equip the bikes with a single-channel ABS unit. It will be the same system which the company has employed on many of its bike like the Pulsar NS200 and RS200 among other. Almost all manufacturers are now updating their range and equipping them with ABS. This is because of the new mandate by the government which requires all motorcycles above 125 cc and above with ABS. The rule will be made compulsory by 1 April 2019 and because of the same, manufacturers are rushing to update their lineup before the deadline.

This also translates into a bump in pricing for the Avenger twins, albeit not very big. The bikes are expected to get expensive by about Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000. The current pricing for the Avenger 220 starts at Rs 96,922 (ex-showroom Delhi) for both the variants. So now expect the pricing to cross the Rs. 1 lakh figure.

Apart from the ABS, the rest of the specifications and design will largely the same. The Avenger duo come powered by a 220cc, single-cylinder, DTSi engine. It is the same unit which is also found on the Bajaj Pulsar 220. The engine produces puts out a decent 19 Bhp of power along with 17.5Nm of peak torque at 7,000 rpm. The Street 220 and the Cruise 220 share the same mechanical parts including the suspension system and brakes.Talking of which, a telescopic fork at the front and twin shock absorbers at the rear take care of the suspension duties while a 260mm disc at the front and a 130mm drum at the rear sees towards braking.

The only difference between the two motorcycles is in their design and appeal. Both are meant for different buyer group. While the Avenger 220 Street looks more modern and employs a street smart character, The Avenger 220 Cruise is more relaxed and proper cruiser like in design. The bikes got a facelift just last year which added features like LED DRLs, fully digital instrument console and new paint shades.

The company is also working upon a new version of the Bajaj Dominar 400. The new Dominar will come with upside down front forks and a new exhaust canister design. It will sport many improvements which were missed on the current version of the bike. The new Dominar is expected to launch in early 2019, and Bajaj dealers are already clearing stocks of the outgoing version by offering hefty discounts.