To all enthusiastic bike lovers: this is Arvind from Hyderabad
I needed a bike changing over from my regular two-stroked antique piece. I was apprehensive about the Pulsar, although a large number of them are seen on the roads (as
well as in mechanic garages and police impounds). I had always been a fan of the Fiero..my only concern was the lack of the 5th cog. In a shoot out really a distant second:( UNICORN people told me, test rode it, although it’s very very very refined, somehow lacked the zing of a pulsar.
I approached the TVS showroom looking for a bike which combined the pulsar and the unicorn in a mixer and Presto!!! APACHE..
Getting down to business end of things. Finally bought one in April, Done bout 3900 Kms including two trips to Pune. Must say I got more than I bargained for.
Looks are drop dead gorgeous and must say that I have had more than a fair share of strangers turning heads, although the headlight console could have been better designed.
Performance:
the real difference between the P150 and the APACHE is the torquey midrange and the classic acceleration in the 5th gear (which incidentally is what the Fiero lacked!!) which doesnt run away from riders, especially the freshies (probably thats why there are more pulsars in the police impound). this one, the throttle is at your beck and call, u can summon it when you need it the most, especially on highways.
Offers zippy acceleration in 4th gear even when racing uphill on the western ghats...Handles like a dream: throw it into the corners, it shall not fail you, good front discs, drops dead without a tremor..
Good manners, very flickable. probably ’cos its a lighter bike (about 140kgs) when compared to the UNICORN.
there is some vibration at higher speeds (this is where the Unicorn is much much better), and throttle response tapers of at about a 100kmph and this obviously is not the real speed (this is where the pulsar is better) and drags its legs to reach about a 110 where it maxes out.
While the vibration is only a niggle, what stands out is its stability and flickability at this speed.
The custom tyres are good enough but I would suggest switching to MRF zappers (love those tyres, definitely a cut above the TVS srichakra on the normal apache)
Lights could have been better atleast 60W...the range is pretty good, focus is neat and sharp, what is lacking is the bulb power.
Gears: 1st Zoooom!! 2nd ease of mate we’l crash ( its in the middle thats the problem, especially when shifting down from top gear.) still a bit cranky after the second servicing.
Comfort: you could laze around, have a coffee and come back. Same with the APACHE... good solid performance on this front at par with the UNICORN
Mileage: average combined city + highway about 55+ and a range of about 850 odd kms on a full tank looks averaging about 75-80 kmph on the highway: looks very decent to me.
Overall: Good value for money..easy on learners, upgraders, and all commom junta needing to get on top of a 150cc machine and provides hard core bikers enough to keep them interested.
Waiting for DTS-Fi.....? :)