Thread: Bajaj Avenger 220 vs Thunderbird Twinspark

I've booked a Bajaj Avenger 220 DTSi by paying 1000Rs.

Before booking I took a test drive. I find the bike very friendly to use. These are the things I like which made me place an Order:

- Gear shifting was smooth
- Handling was OK (I use a classic Pulsar 150)
- I loved the roar of engine
- I like the looks however Tachometer is missing
- Tires were broad enough to handle grip
- Powerful headlights

Though I placed the Order I'm bit skeptical about its features, Bajaj's quality etc.

- Though I loved the posture, I find foot operated rear breaking bit complex for me. Front disc brake is a Saver here.
- My friends complain about their newly adopted Pulsars that they lack quality and wont sustain in good shape for another 5 years
- Mileage

I'll try to list down things I were looking to have in my Bike

- I wanted to have a bike with comfortable ride posture
- Absolute comfort for the Pillion rider
(Though I love Pulsar 220S & Apache I'd to avoid them due to above to two things)
- Good grip on wet road (I live in Kerala)
- Should be able to take duties of Commuter
- Cruiser for occasional long trips
- Powerful headlights and visibility
- Safety
- Build to last
- Powerful (I find my Pulsar 150 a bit underpowered)

I was going through specs of Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark and to be honest I have been swayed towards this machine...

Most of the features in Avenger is also Present in Thunderbird. So its really tough to decide even though Thunderbird is around 30K higher than Avenger in terms of Price. I loved the looks, my wife says Thunderbird is charming!

I'd love to see you guys comments on the Value for Money factor of Avenger & Thunderbird. And of course to decide which one should I get?

Bike Query Approved

Query approved.

Originally Posted by pbnair

I've booked a Bajaj Avenger 220 DTSi by paying 1000Rs.

Before booking I took a test drive. I find the bike very friendly to use. These are the things I like which made me place an Order:

- Gear shifting was smooth
- Handling was OK (I use a classic Pulsar 150)
- I loved the roar of engine
- I like the looks however Tachometer is missing
- Tires were broad enough to handle grip
- Powerful headlights

Though I placed the Order I'm bit skeptical about its features, Bajaj's quality etc.

- Though I loved the posture, I find boot breaking bit complex for me. Front disc brake is a Saver here.
- My friends complain about their newly adopted Pulsars that they lack quality and wont sustain in good shape for another 5 years
- Mileage

I'll try to list down things I were looking to have in my Bike

- I wanted to have a bike with comfortable ride posture
- Absolute comfort for the Pillion rider
(Though I love Pulsar 220S & Apache I'd to avoid them due to above to two things)
- Good grip on wet road (I live in Kerala)
- Should be able to take duties of Commuter
- Cruiser for occasional long trips
- Powerful headlights and visibility
- Safety
- Build to last
- Powerful (I find my Pulsar 150 a bit underpowered)

I was going through specs of Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark and to be honest I have been swayed towards this machine...

Most of the features in Avenger is also Present in Thunderbird. So its really tough to decide even though Thunderbird is around 30K higher than Avenger in terms of Price. I loved the looks, my wife says Thunderbird is charming!

I'd love to see you guys comments on the Value for Money factor of Avenger & Thunderbird. And of course to decide which one should I get?

First off, its good to note that you have observed so many points about your to be ride and prioritized your preference.

Bajaj bikes being unreliable is a "publore". They are as much reliable as any other machine. I am sure that each manufacturer has a few bikes in each lot that are not up to the quality standards and are labeled as bad pieces.

The chance of your Avenger failing is more or less same as compared to the TBird and would be the same as compared to any other bike in the competitive market.

Now coming to the point where you have been impressed with the TBird, yes, its an impressive machine and you can surely go in for it. Would advise you to take a test ride(maybe borrow it from a friend) of the TBird and the Avenger. Take it on the typical roads that you would ride on and then make the decision.

a bullet is bullet ....Thunderbird anyday obey with your wife and you will be more happy man

note that the previous versions of avenger that is the 180 cc and the 200cc had the common problems of silencer getting rusted and ultimately bearing holes or gaps .also the chrome material on the bike wasnt upto standards and there were airbubbles underneath the chrome resulting in either the chrome going off or just looking plain stupid.these were the reasons why i did not opt for the avenger that time.

but in the new 220 avenger as said by the head mechanic and my own trusted mechanic,seems those problems are not there..the seating comfort is lovely for the rider but the rear seat is kinda narrow so i dont think pillion will be that comfortable.and yes typical bajaj problems will exists and you may/will have to spend more time at the service center.

TBTS is just pure awesome when related to long touring and though the sound is not the original RE thump ,it still feels good..however since i dont own one i cant comment on it but i heard that its maintenance is somewhat larger than that of other bikes...(just what i have heard and read) ... i would suggest a TBTS anyway

Thunderbird is always better than avenger,but one thing u should keep in mind is the maintenance part,if u would like to spent more money & time then thunderbird is ur bike

Avenger is easy to servise at any BAJAJ servise center where as T Bird you can't do that .

n even spare parts availbility also .......

if u think the avengers don't last for more than 5 years then wat abt the r.e's?? they won't even last for 2... so,wat i'm sayin is,there is no such thing as 'bike lasting' ... it all depends on ur maintanence... yes,bajaj's plastics are a tiny bit cheaper compared to the jap rivals but the r.e's are in a totally diff league in bad quality.. i'm sayin this bcause,i went to the re showroom yesterday to testride a 500cc for my frnd and when i saw some of the customers bike parked there,the munguards(front looked like i made them in my house with hand,almost all the bikes were kleaking oil and omg,both front and rear shocks were creakin like hell when i sat and depressed them...

u CANNOT compare a avenger with a R.E... both are lightyears apart...
if u maintain properly,avenger will last a life time.. compared to the R.E, the avenger will be feather on ur pocket even 4~5 years from now..

the R.E on the other hand is more of a life style and is all abt te fell...
350 cc and u'll harldy touch 120.. and milage,25~30... do u know how much oil u need to put in one of those ?? arnd 3 liters ... but one more thing, i heard this from soo many ppl, once u get used to riding a enfield, u cannot go back... i guess it's because of all that torque and that thump..

so test ride them thruoghly and do a bit more research in the forums and talk to the company mechs and then decide... good luck

Well, your wife likes it........ what is the confusion all about then eh?
Anyhow, if another 30k doesn't pinch you too much, I say go for the Thunderbird. It's great in the long run.