Apache RTR first ride and after 1000kms (updated). Review on TVS Apache 150

Tvs Apache RTR 160. I was all over the website when I heard about the vehicle. Finally managed to get my hands on  it  in the first week of August 2007. Let me give you my impressions and observations from the time I test drove it to finally past 1000km..

When I first had a look at the bike, my jaw dropped! Yes.. its the most stunning looking indian bike on the road today. The alloys, the clip on handle bars, the sweet hum oft the engine and great seating posture.There are some silly people online who seem to abuse the rearset foot pegs.. Let me tell you, this bike is for the young at heart.. not your splendor rider.!

The first dealer I visited was in the city, and wading through the traffic effortlessly give me huge confidence in the bike. Short gear ratios..hmmm.. but the pickup was too good.. The yellow bike with red loop on the wheels is definitely an eye catcher! Hmm.. a gear shift leaver that reminds me of the older P150 or  the cbz....

Quite impressed. I was planning to buy a bike, although the P150 dtsi is technologically more advanced, in pune it has become so common that soon there will be more of these than out hero cycles!!Well..  Next after arranging some money over the week, I visited another dealer, this one in pimpri-chinchwad area. This time the Red RTR was waiting for me.. (no red wheel lining on this one)

With the salesman behind me holding on to the split rails behind, I took off from the ramp.... Mind blowing! Empty stretch of highway, quick gear shifts, and I was rocketing down the road.. Let me tell you, if it wasn't for the one sided gear lever, it wouldn't have felt like an apache! :)

The braking too was good but not as precise as the P150. Oh well.. the discs are pretty good though..

I finally bought the bike in mid August 2007.. grey with black racing stripe (cost me Rs 1100 more than the red/black ones).

I took off from the dealer in the city.. I must tell you, this baby, to be enjoyed, dont wear a helmet.. lolz.. ok...it is a  good idea to wear one :) I felt difficulty in smooth gear-shifts. .hmmm... the engine was begging to be pushed.. after riding for about 2 kms, I came back to the dealer .. spoke to the mechanic there.. it seems the idlying rpm was 1100 and mine was doing 2000!  Hmm.. a little tweak here and there.. and I was good to go.

Now the bike seemed so much different! Soo much easier to handle and a good drive back home. Feeling proud and smiling back at the curious other bikers at signals :)

I initially thought I might have some wrist pain, but everything was fine.. the seating posture though racy, is quite perfect. The rear seat is awsome with its height and even with two people sitting on it, the bike does not vanish underneath.. One month on, still turns lots of heads :)

Post 500kms..there were a few things that bothered me.. the pick seems to have dwindled.. and the occasional misfire irked me. But I was assured by my pulsar owner roomate that the engine will smoothen out with time.. Oh well..

The cold morning starts are a problem.. well.. not exactly but compared to other bikes in its class..hmm.. but the moment you ride it for a while, get the engine warmed up.. take a break for 5mins  or so...and start.. voila! New energy in the bike! I have no idea how to interpret this!

Leave the bike on center-stand when you come in for the day. I found this resulted in much better cold starts.

The bike would have definitely done better had the engine got a twin spark system too. .maybe if the TVS wins the case against Bajaj, the new RTRs might get them..

I have not clocked 70+ yet. But I guess I need to get the firing issue sorted out coz at 65+.. no there is not much vibration as many other people complain.. but just a bit of unsure accleration past 65kmph.. slight vobble.. hmmm..I gave the bike for its first free service after doing 700kms. The service centre was small (aundh-pune) but all was well. But soon, the electronic fuel guage went haywire and seemed to have a mind of its own. Then the speedo dropped to zero!

Yes all these new electronics do seeem to have a problem even in pulsars this is a problem. I took it to the bigger chinchwad service station.. the problem seemed to be with the drive. ( the portion attached to the wheel that feeds the data to the electronics).. Oh well.. it will get replaced. (24 months warranty)..

Lets see how the baby now performs after the replacements..

*Update (24/09/07)

*Use speed or extra-premium petrol, I could see a noticable difference in the performance.. better fuel economy and pickup..

Short gearshifts ( 1st gear and 2nd gear), pull the thrid till 40kph.. then 4th till 55kph.. then slide into 5th gear.. wow! now u feel like the king of the road! I managed  90kph on about a 300 mtr  stretch on NH4 before running into traffic. Yes.. after getting used to the bike.. iam pretty happy :)

Hope this review is useful to you folks..

If you are a short height person about 5.5ish.. go for the RTR!! :)

Fuel efficiency

43kmpl before the first service.

Approx 54kmpl later on with Speed-petrol.