TVS Apache RTR 160: Real Deal

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.