Oct 30, 2007 11:43 AM
5246 Views
(Updated Nov 13, 2007 12:31 PM)
TVS has yet again proved that they are a true engineering driven company. To boast of, they have the new Apache RTR 160 in their stable for the young blood. Its not just a bike or an upgrade with a cosmetic job, its more than that... Its India's first (mass produced) bike with a true to the heart sporty character and even more than whats meets the eye. The TVS have not only done a marvelous job by giving the consumers a run for their money but also check competition.
After going through the intricacies of the two wheeler market in India, I short listed the Apache RTR and the CBZ Extreme/Hunk. I wanted a bike which was fast, sharp and fuel efficient was well. It was really tough deciding between the two (as the X-treme and the hunk are mechanically the same bikes with different cosmetics) however my indecision was well sorted out once I test drove both the bikes.
My instinctive feeling after sitting on the RTR was “Wow!” I got a black one to test which was not in the best of shapes (vibes were on the higher side) due to some repetitive torturing and hard twisted throttles. However, I was taken aback by the aggressive riding position and the seriously rear-set footpegs. The bike felt powerful and emanated a bassy note from its end can (similar to the old generation pulsar 180). The acceleration was crisp but the topping on the cake was the bike’s handling and the stopping power. It was quite stable and held on to its line whenever I went wrong.
I was so fascinated by the bike that I plunged upon my idea and booked a red one right away. On the day of delivery I was advised by the dealer to drive the bike below 60kmph (5k rpm) for the first one thousand kms. Holy shit!!! Why do the Indian manufacturers make bikes which can’t even take the top whack without any concern the moment the bike is rolled out of their factory? It’s a bit too unfair to ride this monster below 60 kmph (5k rpm) especially the sporty aura that this bike carries.
Even after doing 10k kms, there aren’t any major concerns in this bike. Starting from the build quality, it held on quite well through the thick and thin apart from the finishing quality on the console. The digital console was not that finely executed and there were gaps visible around it after the first service although it didn’t yield and foul noise. Overall there is nothing to complain anything major about the bikes build quality.
The handling of the bike has been improved a lot and the current setup gives the bike an edge above the other bikes in the segment. The ride has been made softer than the old Apache which helps a lot on road joints or undulations. The feedback from the brakes and the chassis is the best in class. The petal disc is worth every single penny making you push ahead everytime you take her around corners or even in the straightline. It doesn’t feel as sure footed as the X-treme but the same has been taken care of by the more than enough stopping power.
Performance wise the bike feels more or less as the P180 however the engine is far more refined. This is the department where the TVS guys have got it right. They have managed to keep the NVH levels under control for an engine which can be thrashed all the way to 12k on the tacho. It is not as refined as the Unicorn as slight vibrations do start creeping in above the 7-8k rpm mark. All in all the it’s a gem of an engine and very rev-hungry.
The gearbox has let me down a bit though as you do tend to burn a lot of calories of your ankle while changing using the neutral and the second gear.
On the efficiency front this bike has succeeded in over performing my expectations, giving me 59 kmpl (average speed of 80kmph) on highway and 51kmpl (average speed of 40kmph and power band in the range of 4- 6 k rpm) in city limits.
All in all it’s a biker’s delight; however I would like to advise readers to buy this bike for the apt application. You tend to have really sore lower-backs if you drive it continuously for more than 30 minutes. I will recommend you to buy this bike but remember it’s not a commuter at all…
Lastly I request you fellow Indians to not to use this bike as a ‘Goods carrier’ (I saw a RTR with a awkward steel side box on one side and three big polythene bags on the other side and hope this one doesn’t turn to be every other milkman’s machine as it happened to my pulsar…
Wishing all the readers A Happy Diwali and A Prosperous New Year and **by the way just look around before blindly buying anything else just trusting on the brand name and the sales numbers...
Au Revoir...
*UPDATE 1:
*Once I got the handle bar setting changed, the pain in my back has gone. after getting the settings altered, it took a few days but now it feels perfect. I took this monster to a nearby hill station (200kms to & fro) and WOW the settings worked wonders!
