Earlier Version - Good Looks But Quality Issues. Review on TVS Apache 150

I bought this TVS Apache(the old version Fi 160, not the new wolf eye) back in 2010(used) and then sold it for cheap price.

The best feature about the bike was its looks. Nothing else is great. After I bought it, I realized the true meaning of poor-quality Indian engineering.

Engine Performance:

TVS seems to have improved over the earlier Apache for engine smoothness and performance. But the earlier mill would start vibrating the moment I used to touch 60 kmph. The footrest and the handle would start giving a jittery sensation. Its just like what my pulsar gives. Indian engineering has a long way to go.

Yes, there was the feel of power and pulling, but you don't get the engine smoothness and smooth response that comes from a Honda or Suzuki. You pull a Hayate or GS150R to 60 or 70 and you will still love the smooth response. Apache cannot give that. There's some 15 bhp churned out by the mill, but where's the real thing that a rider wants from a powerful bike - smoothness.

Even the current RTRs can't offer the smoothness that comes with Honda or Suzuki. They are still somewhat rough once you cross 60 kmph.

For engine quality, I give 3/5 to the apache RTR 160.

Handling & Suspension

I would give a 5/5 to TVS in this department. No one can beat them. Wish, they could have developed engines like the handling and suspension thing.

Whether its cornering or moving very slowly through a jungle of traffic, you can move around like anything without any problems or setting your foot down. The suspension is good even on rough roads where other bikes can start giving you jolts.

For this, TVS is almost unbeatable.

Looks:

The earlier RTR looked far better than the current-day RTR 160 hyper edge. You know the modern RTR gives such a bad impression. There's no beginning and no end to the design. Why did TVS move on from the old design. It was just perfect. Even today when I look anyone in that old design, its still a stunner. But the new design gives an impression that so much is missing. Who designed it? and who allowed it to be promoted?

Everything feels like its pulled or pushed(or crushed together) in a tight space. There's no need for that plastic piece that goes over the tank and extends forward. The cowl is just a blunder and the headlight too.

But the old RTR had a great look and symmetry. The headlamp perfectly matched with the body. And the body had the perfect bee-like design that is essential to any sports bike.

TVS destroyed the design in this product!

I would give a 4.5/5 to the old TVS apache RTR in design and looks.

Braking:

I would give 4/5 to the bike for braking. It was one of the best braking machine I ever had. It was the problems with the engine and poor quality chain that forced me eventually to get rid of it. I have P220F and I know what poor braking means. But the RTR wouldn't screech the rear tire as much as like other bikes.

I don't know how much meters they required to stop in tests, but I found this bike's braking far better than what others are offering even currently.

Mileage:

The claimed mileage was upto 60 kmpl. But you don't expect a 160 cc bike to offer that much. Even the new 150cc bikes cant give a consistent 45 kmpl. But this bike used to give me 40-45 kmpl.

Overall, it was a good machine. But if TVS could have fixed the quality and reliability of the engine, it would have done great.