Not a "BIKER'S BIKE". Review on TVS Apache 150

To begin with, I do not own an Apache. But one of my friends owns one and he’s all in praise of his bike. The experience that I had with TVS Apache is little and maybe not enough to give an all-round view of it. Yet I can tell, from my experience of taking it for one of my biking expedition, that this is not one of that BIKERS BIKE.

First of all let me tell you what the biking expedition was all about – I took it for a ride of 400kms (Bangalore to Coimbatore) because my trusted Hero Honda Pleasure (a mere 100cc, 7bhp, scooter) which I have used before for the same route was not in the best of its conditions. Not that it had any problem in particular. Only that it was in need of a good service after using it for a rather very long scootering expedition of over 1000kms.

Let me put it as simple as possible:

Ride quality and comfort: This is not the best in the class of 150ccs in terms of ride quality and comfort. The distance between the handle bar and the seat is a little too much for a person of my height (5’8’’). For the same reason the ride becomes very stiff when you’re taking it for long rides. The road grip of this bike is average. The mass of the bike is not evenly distributed and hence too much of weight at the front and the use of disk break on a bit gravely road will easily sent you licking the earth. Otherwise, the ride was smooth as the engine gave no trouble and didn’t make many complaints.

Suspension and Gear Box: The suspension is satisfactory. The gear box, as is the case with many of the TVSs, is a bit too notchy. The gear slipped too many times when I had to ride on low gears.

Pickup and Acceleration: I’m quite satisfied with its pickup and acceleration(touched a max speed of 90+ in the 50+ kms four-lane stretch between Krisnagiri and Hosur), though not the best in the class (Fair enough).

Economy: The best part of this bike is its mileage. The mileage I’d say is one of the best when compared to other 150ccs (40kms/ltr in city drive and 50+ on highways).

Looks:I’m all in for the looks of this bike. It definitely has one of the best sporty looks and is a crowd puller for all the good reasons.

After Sales Service: The worst I’ve ever come across (Sri Hari Motors, Near Forum Mall, Bangalore). Just the day before I took it for this ride, I had given it for a through service telling them to fix the wobbling handle bar and other minor complaints. *Notice: Wobbling handle bars are not any regular complaint with this TVS brand. The bike that I used met with an accident a few months back and hence the complaint with the handle bar. The guys at TVS who repaired the bike had done a shitty job ‘coz the handle bar was still wobbling due to improper front wheel alignment. Even the *#@?&# at the service centre had not attended to this complaint. And the service charge was 800+(paid service). No value for money.

My verdict:

If you want a sporty looking economic bike, then TVS APACHE is your answer. The new RTR160 is even better an option in these terms. But for those who are looking for comfort and those who are sensitive about their possessions and for those who’re looking for good After Sale Service, this bike (or any TVS bikes for that reason) should be the last choice. I wouldn’t consider this bike a “Value for Money”, strictly sticking to my standards of quality. And finally, THIS IS JUST NOT A BIKERS BIKE.  I’d buy this bike for my teenage son (if I was old enough for it and was married) to flaunt it in his college and make a spoilt brat out of him. Otherwise, my response to this bike is a sure “NO….NO”. Those who’re looking for a 150cc with good performance, no troubles… the best choice for them would be a Honda Unicorn though comparatively a bit costlier.