And that’s before the price tag is dragged into the comparo. At roughly Rs 63,000 ex-showroom, the Avenger is about Rs 4,000 more than the full-options Enticer. The gain in power and torque over the Enticer is ludicrous next to the price and this choice is a no-brainer – although a 150cc Enticer at the price would really be, well, enticing. Similarly, the T’Bird is almost Rs 15,000 more, and come to think of it, unjustifiable to anyone except a dyed-in-the-wool Bullet enthusiast.
As for my big-cruiser demanding relative, well dude, you’re going to have to wait. Chill out, you’re young, only 30. You’ve got time...
RIDER CHANGE - SHREENAND SADHALE GIVES HIS OPINION
First the Thunderbird. It’s been four years since this bike came out and it hasn’t undergone any changes, though that’s hardly surprising given the company it comes from. Anyway, the T’bird is a bit of paradox. It looks like a cruiser, and you can even ride it like one, yet it has the soul of a Fifties British sports bike and it really can’t hide that. It tries really hard, but sadly the age old frame and the mechanicals give the plot away. If you want an Enfield, the Thunderbird does make sense, but as a cruiser I would give this one a miss.
On the face of it, the Enticer doesn’t really stand up to the competition here. I mean, who would want a 125cc cruiser? But think of it as a 125cc commuter with cruiser styling and suddenly it seems to make sense. Unfortunately the price doesn’t, but if Yamaha were to do a quick rethink on this front, I believe they would have a winner.
The Avenger is the only one here which looks and feels exactly like a cruiser should. I liked it so much that after having spent fifteen minutes on it, I even thought of it as my commuting steed. Sometimes it’s nice to sit tight on a motorcycle, look cool and not be bothered about stuff like shifting weight in the corners and weighing down on your pegs. Besides, it’s not like you are riding in the TT or something. 30 minutes later I was bored stiff and I wanted to get off. Hmm.... maybe it’s me, not the bike.
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