Bajaj recently launched the Avenger Street 160 in India, which is a replacement for the Avenger Street 180. Since the latter sat too close to the bigger Avenger 220 and the demand for the bike had started to dwindle, the company went on to replace it with a 160cc iteration. The Avenger brand, as a whole, has been well-received by the audience till now. Now, considering its pricing of Rs 82, 253, yet another motorcycle which enjoys a similar popularity is the Honda CB Unicorn 150. Although both bikes boast of different styling, they have been developed majorly for the purpose of urban commuting. In that case, let’s check out which one is it that you should spend your money on.
Design and Features:
The Bajaj Avenger Street 160 features a conventional cruiser design with the low-slung profile, long wheelbase and a wide rear tyre. However, the blacked out components, alloy wheels and shorter handlebar lend it modern design ethos similar to the Harley-Davidson Street 750. As for the CB Unicorn 150, Honda has taken a commuter-friendly approach with its design which makes the bike functional and purposeful.
Coming to the features, while the Avenger Street 160 gets a conventional headlamp, it does come equipped with LED DRL and LED tail lamp which make it more modern. Adding to its modernity is the instrument cluster which is a single pod analogue unit with a tiny digital display. It also integrates a few tell-tale lights on the fuel tank. Meanwhile, the Honda CB Unicorn 150 makes do with an analogue which is outdated while it also misses out on LED lamps.
Engine:
The Bajaj Avenger 160 has a slightly larger motor with a displacement of 160cc with air-cooling and carburetion. This motor delivers comparatively more power at 13.5bhp and 14.6Nm. While the CB Unicorn 150 churns out lesser power at 12.7bhp and 12.8Nm from its 149.2cc, carbureted motor, the Honda compensates for it with a higher level of refinement. Both the motorcycles get a five-speed gearbox.
Cycle parts:
Starting with the CB Unicorn 150, the commuter bike rides on 18-inch wheels which are suspended by telescopic forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear. Braking duties are handled by disc brakes at both ends and the setup is assisted by a single-channel ABS. Talking about the Avenger Street 160, the motorcycle gets a 17-inch wheel at the front and a chunky 15-inch wheel at the rear. While the front suspension is a telescopic type, the rear section incorporates twin shock absorbers. For braking, the cruiser gets a disc at the front while the rear is equipped with drum brake. The motorcycle also features single-channel ABS along with RLP (rear lift protection).
Pricing:
Despite being priced similarly, both bikes have their own unique character. The Honda CB Unicorn 150 retails at Rs 80,902. For that price, the motorcycle offers a comfortable riding position which is perfect for commuting in the city while it packs a well-trusted engine. On the other hand, the Bajaj Avenger Street 160 comes with the laid-back cruiser ergonomics. Besides the larger engine and more features, the Avenger stands apart with the tag of the most affordable cruiser available in the country.
(All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi)
