Hi all,
Look at our Indian cricket team, exhausted on 100 ! Dreadful. Our little master Sachin Tendulkar might not in good form.Leave him, there is a new little monster on cards shelling out 150. This monster is blindly believed to crack 150’s definitely male syndrome alias Pulsar. Similar conditions erupted during Unicorn’s launch, though Bajaj carefully made revisions in both physics and technics, psychologically changing sportstar's figure. And Unicorn soon become Hype, after winning loads of hearts and awards offering round the clock silent, trouble free engine .... lost the race.
Anyways I was supposed to write on Apache. After reading previous Roffling chapters on MS.com I thought myself to test drive the newly launched hero@capital. I reached MCR TVS pitampura today, parked 150, entered the showroom.
Chaos and chaos everywhere..inside and outside.
“Arre yaar this Apache will definitely beat pulsar in looks, races…I mean in performance.”
“Yep (the dealer)! Even the best ever fuel efficient techniques are applied”
Oh really?
Lets C !
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1.FIRST LOOK:
The Apache is awesome in design and dimensions, looks impressive @first glimpse. I couldn’t took my eyes off the ES grey black model.
Apache is short in height, looks a mixture of discover’s tank broadened through edges, 100/90 tires looks gr8, best part being the newly designed headlight. Tail fairing, side panels looks different and better from other 150 machos. Silencer comes out from the bottom-middle and then corners towards right.A new part is seen on silencer known to reduce the heating effect (as mr dealer told,may b IE Surge). Available in Grey black, Blue, Red and Silver contours + 2 variants: Electric Start and Kick Start. ES comes with Black alloys, black saree guard; KS comes in silver alloys (same of star city).The boy looks best to me in Red-Black, Grey-Black and Silver-Silver combination.
Comparison: Pulsar still has the height factor, Unicorn a little bit stylish + few graphics but Apache seems close to commuter’s discover having lower seat position, handlebars and wider seat. 180 looks better than all.
2.ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION:147.5cc , 13.5 bhp , 136 kgs kerb weight.
The concept being the IDI technology: Dual mode ignition system. To the best of my revisions, it functions same as the DTSi(s) offering twin spark plugs but difference is to retain spark for longer time thus reducing hiccups to maxima and flattening torque graph as possible irrespective of the gear(s)/speed(s).I was driving comfortably at 30 kmph on 5th gear better than pulsar 150.
Pickup is more or less same compared to Pulsar and Unicorn. Apache jumps from the front as u open up throttle. Easy to perform stoppies on Apache and Wheelies on Pulsar.
Sounds like a soar gat gat gat gat …during pickup and when it crosses 4000 rpm, sound becomes sleek..TRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
Pulsar is still the best in sound VROOOMMMM !
Practically, the bike runs ok but vibrates a lot from the beginning. Vibration level is very high this factor increases steadily after ~3500 rpm. I took test ride again but this time on a kick start version, hence removed my doubt. Nothing to comment on IE Surge or RCF technology from my side but I m afraid when’ll Vibration-TVS couple breaks? The F2/FX having same cons, and now in Apache. Not impressive.
Since pulsar is also famous for vibras but the level starts only above ~4500 rpm. Unicorn is no matched, the smoothest.
3.HANDLING: If I was short in length, I would definately say “great maneuvrability''. Wider tyres, short height, positioning of footpegs, handlebars are perfect in ripping @ traffic for short buds.
But sorry dudes, guyz above 5’10” forget it. Pulsar is still the best for long looking ppl. Pulsar’s handling is the best when u lean forward and zig-zag-zoom in traffic. Even karizma wasn’t so impressive in handling for tall guys. From my side: 9/10 marks to pulsar,7/10 to Zma, Fieros and 6/10 to Unicorn but 5/10 to Apache.
ps: I am tempted to knw how Hoggard or Kumble’ll handle it? :))
4.GEAR BOX,SHIFTS and DISC FACTOR:
I would give 100 points to TVS for offering a promising and smoothest gearbox to customers.
>>180‘s gearbox is the worst.
Gear shifts are the best acc to me, I favour 1 down ,4 up.
>>I hate 150 gear shifts.
Disc brakes doesn't impressed me after taking two test rides. Both Pulsar and Unicorn lean downwards but Apache doesn’t do it, might b the ergonomics which restricts.
5.ELECTRICALS and DIALS:The worst part of the motorcycle. Electricals doesn’t looks impressive and of cheap quality.
Tripmeter,Odometer,tachometer,Speeometer (looks pretty same as in Unicorn) are present.
Sorry..didn't noticed side stand Indicator.
Though I don’t comment on Top speed or Fuel efficiency.Autocar touched 107 kmph on their platform, dealers are promising of 50+ kmpl.
6.PRICE: This point is hard to believe:APACHE IS THE CHEAPEST.
Priced at 51k KS and 56 k ES on road Delhi, it’s a good from commuting and sporty point of view compared to Unicorn: 57k and Pulsar: 58.5k.
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VERDICT:
Overall I mark this product Okay + Good buy ! I dunno what is the Ho! Ho! Ha! Ha! factor wandering @youngsters mind. In competition TVS has showed its lost presence in 150cc segment by implementing new techniques in this product + also playing the same game Bajaj does; Give addons, Increase sales. Pulsar 150 has nothing to offer in KS variant. Apache offers Black chassis for ES and silver for KS. Also cheapest 150cc, collosal looks and impressive performance will boost TVS market in southern part no doubt. But everything depends upon after sales and service. In delhi I’ve no idea abt TVS customers though Bajaj/Hero Honda owners seems satisfied with “no problem” tag. Unicorn is facing this same fatality. Though lots of experiments were applied to shake pulsar from No 1 150cc, let c how customers respond to Apache and vice-versa. Otherwise
Apache Indian: Bhaag Dhanno Bhaag ! Aaj teri basanti ki izzat ka sawaal hai bhaag !!!
Engine’s respond: Kab tak bhagungi stupid ? Ye Bajaj k ghodde mera pichha thodi chodenge !!!
:) No offenses plz !
Newayz I m satisfied wid my 150, did nothing wrong in going for that.
So finally … my best wishes for TVS…. “Its now or never”….Indian players are on the sky !
-Regards
© Sandeep :D, march 2k6
