The Bajaj Avenger 220 line-up currently consists of two models – the Cruise and the Street – both built around the same platform and powered by the same 220cc engine. On paper, the differences between the two may seem fairly minor, but they result in motorcycles with noticeably different personalities and riding experiences. Here’s a closer look at what sets the two apart.
Bajaj Avenger 220 Cruise vs Street: What stays the same?
The engine, chassis and seat height are identical
Both the Avenger 220 Cruise and Avenger 220 Street use the same 220cc single-cylinder oil-cooled engine producing 19hp and 17.5Nm, paired with a 5-speed gearbox. The chassis, frame geometry and low 737mm seat height (one of the Avenger’s biggest accessibility advantages) remain identical across both models. Foot-peg positioning is also unchanged, so both motorcycles offer the same laid-back cruiser riding posture.
Bajaj Avenger 220 Cruise vs Street: Styling and design
The Street gets a blacked-out finish and a different headlight design
Despite sharing much of their mechanical package, the two motorcycles look quite different. The Avenger 220 Street adopts a blacked-out treatment across the engine, exhaust and cycle parts, giving it a darker, slightly more urban character compared to the Cruise. The headlight design also differs, with the Street featuring a more oval-shaped unit. The Avenger 220 Cruise, meanwhile, leans more heavily into traditional cruiser styling with extensive chrome detailing and a tall windscreen that should offer better comfort on longer highway rides. The Street, instead, gets a much smaller flyscreen-style wind deflector.
Bajaj Avenger 220 Cruise vs Street: Wheels and tyres
The Street gets tubeless alloy wheels, while the Cruise uses spoke wheels with tube-type tyres
The wheel setup is arguably the most practically significant difference between the two motorcycles. While both models use a 17-inch front and 15-inch rear wheel combination, the Avenger 220 Street comes equipped with alloy wheels and tubeless tyres, making puncture repairs considerably easier and more convenient. The Cruise, on the other hand, uses wire-spoke wheels with tube-type tyres. Tyre sizes remain identical at 90/90 front and 130/90 rear. The spoke wheel setup on the Cruise also contributes to a slightly higher kerb weight of 163kg compared to the Street’s 160kg.
Bajaj Avenger 220 Cruise vs Street: Ergonomics
The Street uses a flatter handlebar setup
The riding posture differs slightly between the two motorcycles. The Street gets a flatter and slightly lower handlebar compared to the taller, more swept-back unit on the Cruise. As a result, the Street offers a marginally more engaged riding position, while the Cruise feels a bit more relaxed and traditional in its ergonomics. Neither motorcycle feels remotely sporty, though – both remain firmly within cruiser territory.
Bajaj Avenger 220 Cruise vs Street: Price
Both motorcycles are identically priced
At Rs 1.30 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), both motorcycles are priced identically, which means the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you value the practicality of tubeless alloy wheels along with the darker, blacked-out styling theme, the Street makes a stronger case. If you prefer classic cruiser aesthetics, additional chrome detailing and the added touring comfort from the larger windscreen, the Cruise is likely the better fit.
Autocar India News Desk
Azaman Chothia
Ved Janve
Rishaad Mody
