August 2008

Saturday, August 9, 2008

TVS Apache RTR FI: The 160 gets fuel injection!
The pic is the old Apache. You see, the the RTR FI only sports a new set of stickers to separate it from the normal carburetted RTR. The other difference visually being the optional rear disc should you opt for one. The price difference has not been announced but I would put the estimate at between Rs 3,000 (brilliant pricing) and Rs 5,000 (all right). The extra money goes towards even better midrange and top-end and very, very crisp throttle response. The launch is expected to arrive and capture the Diwali rush.
The new Apache EFI
TVS Motor Company is for the first time offering Electronic Fuel Injection technology in the 160cc category. The new technology, which consists of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) made up of sensors, fuel pump and injector. ECU receives the data from sensors, processes them and delivers optimum fuel and ignition timing. The Electronic Fuel Injection technology offers better engine smoothness, faster throttle response, lower emissions, good cold start and recovery, better idle stability, good drivability, better fuel economy and performance consistency at various altitudes and environments. The Apache RTR EFI also offers instantaneous response throughout the rev range. Another first time offering in this segment would be the rear disc brake facility.

Product specification

Engine
Displacement 159.7cc
Engine technology EFI, 4 Stroke
Max. Power (Kw@rpm) 11.54kw @ 8500 ( 15.7bhp @ 8500 )
Max. Torque (Nm@rpm) 13.1 Nm @ 6500
Gear Box 5 Speed constant mesh
Clutch Multi-Plate Wet Type
Bore x stroke (mm) 62x 52.9
Compression Ratio 9.5:1
Fuel system Electronic Fuel injection

Wheels & Tyre
Wheel Type Diecast Alloy
Tyre Front 90 x 90 - 17, Rear 100 X 80 - 18

Brakes
Brake - Front Dia 270 disc brake, petal type
Brake - Rear Drum 130 dia, Optional Rear Disk brake
Suspension
Front Telescopic Hydraulic fork, Rear Mono tube 5 step adjustable Canister - Gas filled shock absorbers

Electricals
Head lamp 12V 35/35W Halogen HS1, Clear lens with MFR
Tail lamp 12V 0.5 W. LED-Twin triangle with prism on lens
Turn signal lamp 12V 10W
Battery type & capacity 12V, 9.0 Ah
Ignition system High energy IDI System

Dimensions
Height 1100 mm
Length 2020 mm
Width 730 mm
Wheelbase 1300 mm
Ground Clearance 180mm
Kerb weight 136 kgs
Fuel Tank Capacity 16.0 Litre
Fuel reserve (lts) NOT APPLICABLE

Performance
Max speed 120 kph

TVS Apache RTR 160: Official Words

Here it is, the official release from TVS. I think I've said enough about the bike already... heh heh:

TVS APACHE RTR 160 Unleashed
Packed with 15.2 BHP and first time features, this Bike speaks pure aggression

New Delhi, July 9, 2007…Two-wheeler major and leaders of bike racing in India, TVS Motor Company, today unveiled the Apache RTR 160. The Apache RTR (Racing Throttle Response) has been created to be a premier street bike, high on performance by combining TVS Racing's technology with R&D know how.

According to Mr. K N Radhakrishnan, President, TVS Motor Company, "The priority in every step of the Apache RTR 160's development has been Performance. Every system, detail and component has been tuned to maximize performance. If it didn't make the RTR 160 faster or deliver quicker lap times, it wasn't considered".

The Apache RTR's, 160 CC Oversquare engine is programmed to ooze out an astonishing 15.2 Brake Horse Power (BHP) making it the most powerful bike of its class on Indian roads. The bike has a top speed of 118kph and can reach 60kph in just 4.8 sec and 100kph in 17.7 sec, making it the fastest two-wheeler in its class.

This enormous power, coupled with the well-sculpted tank and chiseled design of the Apache RTR 160, has been created to ignite the aspirations of today's adventurous youth. Additionally, the Apache RTR comes with host of new features that are first time in India and are normally found only in high-end International bikes. This bike with its razor-sharp agility and riding dynamics will set a new standard yet again. The sporty ergonomically designed rear set aluminum foot pegs, adjustable split handlebars and sculpted seats allow exceptional control and maneuverability of the bike and is sure to thrill discerning riders of the Apache RTR.

Some of the first time in India features on a bike includes:
Digital console with service due reminder, clock, dual trip meter
Adjustable clip on handlebar
Rotor petal disc 270 mm
Self illuminating wheel rim – In titanium grey & yellow
Rear set aluminum foot pegs (Sporty ergonomics)
Racing stripes
Matt paints – titanium grey
Mono tube Inverted Gas filled Canister shocks with PU block
Additional sporty features include:
Titanium black engine with engine fairing
Engine fairing
LED tail lamp
Split grab rail
New turn signal lamps
Race crouch mirrors
Longer wheelbase
New rear fender
Sound engineered silencer.
The previous Apache 150 was an all out success, testimony of which was the 7 'bike of the year' awards it won in its first year of launch. Now the new Apache RTR 160 transforms that riding experience to Racetrack experience. A combination of powerful racing inspired engine with leading edge technology, design and enhanced technological features ensure the man machine interaction are as close in real life as on a track. Apache RTR 160 is ready to race and ignite passions like never before.

The Apache RTR will come in 5 aggressive and sporty colors namely Titanium Grey with matt finish, yellow, silver, black and red. Electric start and disc brakes are standard features on the Apache RTR. With all these features the bike will be priced at Rs.58,584/- ex-showroom, Delhi

Mailbag #8: Apache RTR 160 – Not Convincing

Caughtilya-Rearset Stamp 1 From a Vibrator to a smooth 'no' vibe engine, to seeing 120 kph "very" easily on the speedo, to the best handling 150cc in the market, to be feeling 30 kph less at 76 kmph.... is there more to this than what meets the eye? Did TVS suddenly get a magic wand or has the bike come straight from the gods.... I for one am not convinced. Over to you...
Lavkesh

Actually, the answer to that question is quite simple. And no magic wands are being waved either. To a manufacturer conversant with good engineering, eliminating vibration is a very simple matter. You either attack the primary vibes from the motor, or you add a set of dampers that ensure that not much vibes appear in the three-odd places where a rider might feel it – pegs, bars and tank.

Adding displacement is another fairly straight-forward game too. You can use computers to model a whole bunch of (bigger) bore, stroke combinations and select the one you like. Run it on prototypes, see if you like it and when you do, more power is there for the asking. 120 kph? They could have got more. I, for one, would not be surprised to see a TVS Apache 160 Racebike touch much, much higher speeds.

What was wrong with the 150 handling? Stability. Stability, for ages, has been solved by lengthening the wheelbase. And the best, most productive way to lengthen the wheelbase is by increasing the swingarm length, which brings more stability and increases the ability of the rear tyre to 'hook up' better. For a manufacturer, this is the equivalent of a patch for a set of small niggles in a new operating system, so to speak. All of this takes time, agreed, but it isn't magic, magical or a miracle of sorts.

What I am saying is that the primary thing that TVS has done with the 160, is solve the problems that stopped the 150 from being truly jaw-dropping. The potential was always there. Another example of a similar bike, although still-born, was the Graptor. There was so much that LML could have done with that bike.

However, the biggest change, the real reason why the Apache 160 is such a great ride, is a change in stance. You see, as a small manufacturer (compared to Bajaj and HH), TVS always needed to consolidate its volumes and that was an overriding consideration. This, usually, means engineering and motorcycling compromises aimed at snaring the largest possible number of prospective customers. It means you cannot give your bike special abilities. You focus on making it adept and comfortable in a variety of roles. Would a small air force benefit from having a bunch of pilots who were okay fighter jocks, decent bomber captains and passable chopper flyers as well?

What happened with the 160, is that someone at TVS woke up and realised that the reason the TVS Apache (like many, many bikes all over the world) wasn't doing as well as they had expected was the fact that the bike didn't really have a focus beyond good sales. That approach never works. Look at most of the 1000cc or 600cc bikes, and you will see that the popular ones are almost always good at one thing, and borderline crap at others. It's the focus that brings riders to the point where they reach into their pockets.

With the RTR, I think, TVS decided to go radical and make an all-out sporty bike, rather than a sporty commuter, that could also handle and would also race and would also... and so forth.

The R&D team, now had a clear focus. Clear focii usually mean solutions to problems are found faster and are easier to implement without interference from other involved departments (like marketing and sales). That's what happened, in my opinion. And for once, it has come together in spectacular fashion.

If you are still not convinced, my friend, just hop over to the nearest TVS dealer, I promise you will not have wasted your time.

TVS Apache RTR 160: Real Deal

I rode the TVS Apache RTR 160 again today. And once more, I am amazed at what TVS have managed to do with the old Apache. And amazed at what more they could have done, but haven't. I mooched a bike off a dealer and managed to take it out for a solo spin. A 25 km solo spin.

Once more, the Apache makes an eye-opening amount of power with remarkable ease. The engine is very refined, there aren't any vibes, and the smoooth gearbox is one of the best in the market today without any doubt (Yamaha still makes the best of the lot, I think). Compared to my first riding impression (link below) which was in a more sterile environment, this time I was out in the real world. Where you and I are expected to get our kicks/commute. And I did. Get my kicks that is. While initially you don't notice the performance itself, there's no getting away from the strong convex power curve.

The Apache can blow up a typhoon in no time at all (by 150cc standards, that is). How do you find this out? You have to look for subtle clues. Like managing to overtake cars going at a fair clip without any undue effort on your part. Like seeing 76 kph where you expect the speedo to read about 30 kph less. Like seeing a hapless, smaller rider on aCBZ X-Treme struggle very hard to keep up and fail. Like finding out that a last-gen Pulsar 180 will get embarrassed almost too easily. Like a Pulsar 200 won't be able to disappear on the 160 (Well-ridden Shoguns used to do this to RD350s also – they can't get past, but RDs would find it very hard to get rid of the irritating Shogun). Like thinking you just past 100 kph, and it took a while, and looking down and seen 123 kph on the digital speedo.

Handling's great too. The bike feels taut, pegs are quite seriously rearset, the seat is lower than most of the competition and the bike feels compact and ready to rock. Which is does. Enter a corner hard (in the wet), and the confidence, the agility is marvellous. I thought the CBZ X-Treme was the best 150-class handler there is. Well, ascending to the top spot, ladies and gentlemen is the RTR. Good job! Oh and I could write thousands of words about the disc brake on the front axle. Superb. Superb. Superb.

I no longer care whether it has flaws (like tankbags don't fit the tank all that well and tend to slide forward into the handle, or the lack of space for a pillion to sit comfortably). I have to have one around to ride for a while at least. And I working on that now. That it looks smashing is a bonus, as is the fact that it probably returns 50 kpl when ridden gently. I also happen to love the fact that it wheelies without provocation, loves to be thrashed and in the wet, is able to find a stunning amount of traction.

Is that review over the top? Perhaps. The only flaw in the Apache RTR's tall fort walls is that when you get off, you're thrilled. But. But you wonder what would have happened if TVS had let just a bit of the vibes leak into the pegs and bars at speed to enhance the sensation of velocity. I have a feeling that we would have appreciated it even more. And I hate the white tail lamp with the red reflector. I cannot help but think that a clear or red outer lens would have looked a heck of a lot classier.

Did I mention that the Apache will probably kill a CBZ X-Treme? It's more powerful (1 bhp), makes more torque (3 Nm) and happens to weigh a not insignificant 5-odd kgs less as well. It is also about Rs 1,000 cheaper than the CBZ X-Treme in Bombay.

TVS Apache RTR 160: Riding Impression

I've managed to get quite busy again, so when I finally had the time to take a look at the blog again, I realised that I had ~~completely forgotten to~~ not put up the TVS Apache RTR 160 riding impression. By now, I think most of you already know all of the tech specs of the machine, and I'd be very surprised if you all hadn't already pored through the mags. The question is, is it really that good?

Engine/Gearbox/Performance
The motor is still heavily based on the Apache 150's (which in turn, I'm told, is based on the Fiero motor). However, vibration has been reduced, and power/torque have both gone up. Even conceding that the speedometer, now digital, incorporates a optimistic seven per cent error, seeing 120+ kph on the speedo is ridiculous easy. Anyone could do this with one arm tied behind their back. Just make sure that it's the left arm that's tied, not the other one.

The motor doesn't actually feel that powerful, though. It feels roughly as powerful as the 150, no more. However, it's when you ride it next to another machine that the difference become more obvious. Until that point, all you'll notice is that the speedo tends behave like a new MBA – all big numbers in bold text. I happened to ride it 'versus' a CBZ X-Treme and blow me down if it didn't cream the Hero Honda. The CBZ X-Tremehad no answer, at any speed, to the way the 160 builds velocity. Again, sensation-wise, I'd pick the CBZ X-Treme as the one with more 'feel.' But bring a lap timer or a stopwatch into this brawl and the 160 will absolutely kill any current Indian 150. The TVS chaps on hand were quite confident too, adding that a Pulsar 180 would find the 160 a fair handful to deal with.

As has become normal of TVS gearboxes, you won't notice it, which is exactly how it should be. I'm told that there was a bit of debate about whether the gear ratios (identical to the Apache 150) needed to be longer or shorter, but there was no consensus on that front... Personally, I thought the gears, especially third and fourth ran out a bit too early. I have a feeling ridden at a track like Sri'dur or Coim'tore, there will be some corners where leaned over gearshifts will spoil some fun. But that's nitpicking.

Chassis/Ride/Handling/Braking
The chassis is also evolved from the old one, with the most major change being the lengthening of the swingarm. TVS's 160 now is a 1300mm wheelbase, which is still quite bit shorter than its competition. However, I found no instability in the package beyond a mild, short-lived weave when leaned over fully going through a really bumpy corner. The extra wheelbase has not dulled the 160's ability to eagerly attack apexes or change direction as quickly as most women change their minds (no reference to The Wife, just a often used general analogy). The 160, in short, is still a lovely, lovely handler. And now it feels a heck of a lot better with the (finally) rearset footpegs and the low and narrow clip-ons.

The new brakes are great too. The wave or petal discs look rather cool and at first glance, I thought 260mm rotors were overkill. I'm happy to report that I was mistaken. The brakes are very strong in feel and still friendly enough at low speed. Stoppies should be ridiculously easy and my only crib is a lack of feel from the lever about midway through a hard braking maneuver. Again, I'm nitpicking to make this review feel authoritative.

Features/Miscellaneous
Since I've already told you most of the dynamics of bike, I'll now focus purely on the features. You have seen most of the stuff I am talking about, so feel free to skip a couple of paras ahead if you're short on time/attention span. There are a lot of detail changes that add up to make the 160 look really, really stylish. There are aluminum footpegs all round (rubber tops for the rider), a very neat, clean subframe to mount the pegs on, red coloured pinstriping on the wheels, a neat engine cowl, the lovely racing stripe (tail to tip, and on tacho face), the superbly done speedo console (clock, two trips, odo, speedo, fuel gauge), lots of idiot lights (usual plus service indicator, battery status and fuel level), and finally, the neat clip-ons. They mount with an allen bolt under a nice looking plastic cover. The mounting holes are actually elongated, so you can move the clip-ons into two positions, obviously, one of the two positions is sportier – and that's one I liked more. I've thought the 150 seat was made of rocks earlier, but as I type this, I don't even remember the 160's seat, so that must have been fixed too.

Verdict
It's kind of presumptuous to have a fledgling blog offer a verdict on a bike, but then again, it sounds better than 'Net, Net' or 'Summary.' I quite liked the Apache 160. The extra displacement certainly pulls its weight and I for one won't be questioning the 'morality' of a 160cc motorcycle fighting 150s. It simply does not matter to me. I'd be even happier if TVS had made a 180 for the same price. In one sense, they have, right? The 160s output numbers are similar to the first generation Pulsar 180, are they not? And while I'm building this castle, why not a 200? You get the drift.

The price is expected to be more than 150, and TVS will officially announce it soon (the commercial launch is scheduled for May 2007). I think it's going to be at the top-end of the 150cc segment, or about Rs 60,000-ish ex-showroom.

What I don't like is that TVS, despite getting more aggressive on the product package front, refuse to fully let go of their conservative traits. So the 150 will continue to take up showroom space until the smart ones among you turn a total blind eye to it. India's so large, there will always be suckers...

So, between the new Unicorn, CBZ X-Treme, P150 and the new 160, what would I pick? I'm not entirely sure since I haven't ridden the bikes back to back so far, but I have a feeling the Apache RTR 160 will smack a lot of butt and the competition is going to see a lot more of that slightly silly white and red tail lamp than they would really like to.

TVS Apache RTR 160: In the full

Yes, that's a strange angle, but that's the racing stripe and the
'aircraft-style' fuel filler cap for the TVS Apache RTR 160

The front mudguard

Note the grey bellypan/engine cowl. I wish it
was in colour (as in the yellow or red...)

Check out the pillion footpeg

Finally, aluminium finish levers!

Those are the new clip on handlebars. They adjust into two riding positions. You take the plastic cover off (two allen bolts), unbolt the clip-ons and slide them into the new position.... simple.

And finally, the full bike.

As you can see, the head lamp remains unchanged. What is missing from this
bike (a prototype) is the pinstriping on the wheels and the final
spec meters (posted earlier; link below)

The specs:
TVS Apache RTR 160

ENGINE
4 Stroke, 159.7 cc, Single
Maximum Power: 11.19 KW (15.2 bhp) @ 8500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 13.1 Nm @ 6000 rpm
Bore x Stroke : 62mm x 52.9 mm
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Carburettor: Mikuni BS-26
Valve train: 2 Valves, single cam
Valves per cylinder: 2 Valves
Power to weight ratio: 111.76 bhp / ton
Starting: Electric & Kick Start
Idle speed : 1400rpm
Ignition: IDI-Dual mode digital ignition
Engine oil capacity: 1000 ml

TRANSMISSION

Clutch : Wet, Multi-Plate
Primary reduction: 65/21
Final reduction: 44/13

CHASSIS
Type: Double Cradle

SUSPENSION
Front: Telescopic Forks, 105mm Stroke
Rear: Monotube Inverted Gas filled shox (MIG) with spring aid
Castor angle: 25.5°
Trail length: 81.3 mm

BRAKES

Front: 270 mm Petal Disc
Rear: 130 mm Drum

WHEELS AND TYRES
Rim size (Front): 1.85 x 17”
Rim size (Rear): 2.15 x 18”
Tyre size (Front): 90/90 x 17”
Tyre size (Rear): 100/80 x 18”
Tyre make: TVS Tyres

Fuel tank capacity: 16.0 lit
Reserve: 2.5 lit
Useable reserve: 1.7 lit

DIMENSIONS

Length: 2020 mm
Width: 730 mm
Height: 1050 mm
Wheelbase: 1300 mm
Saddle height: 790 mm
Ground clearance: 180 mm

WEIGHTS

Kerb weight: 136 kg
Weight distribution: Kerb (F/R) 60/76 kg
Laden (F/R) (Solo - 65kg) 79/122 kg

PERFORMANCE (TVS claimed)
0-60 kph: 4.80 seconds
0-100 kph: 17.69 seconds
0-100 m: 7.91 seconds
0-400 m: 19.70 seconds
30-80 kph (4th gear): 11.84 seconds
30-80 kph (5th gear): 15.68 seconds
Maximum speed: 118 kph

Apache 160 3: The rear end and details

Here's more TVS Apache 160 details then. Check out the
forged brake lever. Pretty eh?

That's the new grab rail. Notice the racing stripe (black). It runs from the tail lamp, up the tank and right down to the tip of the front fender... did you notice it on the tacho dial face?
That's the shapely new mirror. I thought it was quite effective, but I have feeling that's not going to be the popular opinion once the bike comes out...

And that's the full tail light. The red bit is actually the reflector and the white part is the light. It houses two 'A' shaped LED clusters that're really, really bright.

Oh, and the bike is fully called the TVS Apache RTR 160. More later...

You've noticed the rather heavy watermarking, I presume... I will hold forth on that bit a bit later.

Apache 160 2: The meters

This is the meter console for the new Apache 160. As you can see, it looks pretty neat. The little black 'rectangle' at the bottom beside the key holds the various idiot lights. In addition, a battery fault, service required and low fuel lights are on the tacho face. The service indicator only lights up for the first ten seconds when you start up the bike. The service chaps will reset the light at the service. The large LCD panel holds the speedo, two trips, odo, fuel gauge and a clock. It's orange-lit like the Pulsar's unit. More soon.

TVS Apache 160

Like my friend at indian2wheels.blogspot.com is saying, TVS does have a 160cc Apache up their sleeves. The launch is expected by end-May 2007 and it will be a simultaenous, country wide launch. The rise in displacement comes because TVS wanted to raise the power output without really losing any of the torque of the Apache. I hear that the new Apache fixes all the 'flaws' of the old one and is really nice. Riding impression coming soon at this blog. I will post some pics of the bikes as soon as I can get the right permissions...

To summarise. It is, indeed, a 159.7cc, 15.5 bhp, 1.31 kgm machine. Body panels have not been changed, but the new colors (a superb yellow and a striking titanium/matte grey), loads of superb details (like aluminium pegs, well-designed peg subframes, the petal disc in the pic) make the bike look a lot more fashionable and attractive. The petal disc offers greater cooling (the surface area of the leading edge is greater in the irregular petal shape than in the circular rotor disc), but get this. That's a 270mm disc. Which should give you an ideal of the performance/stoppie potential of the bike.

TVS is expected to announce pricing soon and I, for one, am not expecting a major price rise. If you've heard a rumour that the 160 is a monoshock... that's wrong. It isn't. More soon.

motor cyclist@large

Saturday, August 9, 2008

TVS Apache RTR FI: The 160 gets fuel injection!

TVS Apache RTR 160: Official Words

Mailbag #8: Apache RTR 160 – Not Convincing

TVS Apache RTR 160: Real Deal

TVS Apache RTR 160: Riding Impression

TVS Apache RTR 160: In the full

Apache 160 3: The rear end and details

Apache 160 2: The meters

TVS Apache 160

TVS Apache 160

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