Hi All,
Its been a month since I own a silver apache RTR 160. Having crossed 2000 Kms I think it is the right time to give my review.
Lets go like this, Why would one buy a motorcycle?
Looks, Power, performance.
Looks:
I think the Tvs guys really need to be applauded for this bike. If you compare the older models like the victor, star city etc they have really done some hard work . You buy this bike, you have nothing much to do. I am a person who likes to modify my bike but there was nothing much I could do on this. I have the clip ons which I would have bought otherwise if the company gave a normal handle bar. The front foot rest is placed a little behind the engine making the seating most comfortable with the clip ons. The front tyre is broader than any other bike in this category. Except that the rear tyre is little thinner than the pulsar 150. Unfortunately I cannot replace them with broader tyres because the stay is not as wide as the older apache 150. If I need to change the tyre I need to change the stay. So I decided against it. The seats are beautifully cut . Generally one needs to cut the seat to make it look better. The bike is compact in length and its easy to manage through the chennai traffic. The bike also comes with an engine scoop, which normally one needs to buy separately. The head light vizer is also closer to the tank bringing in a compact look.( Compare it with the cbz extreme and pulsar you will know what I am talking about) The petal discs, the digital display and the design of the front console does not need any comment to explain it beauty. Trust me much better than the pulsar. How ever the colour options are few. They have black, yellow, red and a stupid grey and the silver doesn’t come out now. I would suggest not to go in for the yellow b cos after a year it will look yuck .( hard to maintain) . And the grey wil look like a rat bike if not dusted for a day.
Overall: This bike is excellent in looks and style.
Power:
If there is one good reason to go in for the apache RTR it’s the power the engine generates. The apache RTR can also be called the king of the signal. With a proper handling of the clutch and gear ratios one can easily beat any other bike in the initial pick up. Believe me you don’t need to fear the Karizma and the pulsar 150.( I haven’t tried with p 180 and p 200) . But in the drag the Zma’s and the 180’s can beat the apache with ease. Till 80km/hr the apache’s engine roars. The company ad says 0-60 in 5 sec. I would say 0-80 in 6 sec. Beyond 80 you will find the speedometer climbing a little slower. The top speed I touched was 115 km/hr. There are many who claim that the RTR touches 124 /130. But I guess that’s in the long run when the vehicles weight pulls you ahead. The accelerating top speed my apache touched was 115 Kms .
Overall: A very powerful bike for the young generation without burning the pockets.
Performance:
Well, that’s the most important factor every one looks for . Initially I was not happy with the vibrations. But they seem to be reducing, and I hope it does. Its mainly b cos the foot rests are flexible with spring action. So you might feel vibration in your feet . The two piece handle bar does not do a good job when it comes to reducing vibrations. Till you reach 65 Km/hr you don’t feel any vibrations after that its not too comfortable if you are one of those looking for a smooth ride. It might be because of the power but still I think there are many bikes in the same category which do not give so much vibration.( however the vibration does not increase even if you are going above 100kms/hr) The front shocks are good and the rear shocks are fair( sad that tvs retained the same old MIG schocks which the old apache 150 had). Coming to mileage I think it is unfair to talk on mileage for the apache RTR. For the pick up it has, a normal individual would always be tempted to raise the throttle . With a rip rash riding I get a mileage of around 40-45 Kms /ltr( however I haven’t really checked it to precision) . The rear brake at times makes you feel that it’s a dummy. You really have to rely on the front disc.
Overall: A decent performance with a fair mileage( if the riding is sober) . But the bike loses when it comes to vibrations at high speeds. A smooth rider may not prefer this bike.
I personally am satisfied with this bike, it suits my taste. I haven’t been disappointed when it comes to the p/up part, the looks and the mileage.
Apache RTR 160 – An ultimate bike for the young blood!