Striped warrior: TVS Apache RTR 160 - Hands on

At long last, a racing black stripe and red rim rings boldly announce TVS`s fresh approach to motorcycling.

Bring out the hair dye, carve out a tattoo and pull up some low-waist jeans and you conjure up the carefree youth of today.Dive into his mind and it doesn`t take an Einstein to realise that his needs from a bike are rather unique - his machine has to be a rebel, zippy and also one that won`t dent his pocket. The all-new Apache RTR 160 is TVS Motor Company`s effort to meet this young indian head-on.

New Digital Speeedo

Why Abadon an image that`s nicely accepted? The RTR looks very similar to its predecessor, yet it infuses an extra dollop of sporty character into the original Apache platform. Styling changes are few but well executed, like a racy Ford GT like stripe bisecting this sharply chiselled bike from head to tail.There`s also the black theme thats fast becoming de regueur across bike segments. Move closer and RTR delights with thin prinstripes running along the wheels as well as bright rear suspention springs. The new Apache instruments are digital, with the rev counter remaining analogue. Twin trip recorders, a fuel counter, time-clock, digital speedometer, odometer, neutral icon, high beam icon, turn signal icon, low fuel warning, low battery warning,
and even a service due warning icon are on offer within this amber backlit display. And voila!, its cockpit is far smarter, with clip-on handlebars and all-alloy steering clamp section bearing the new RTR logo. Highlights include smart mirrors, fantastic alloy-finished levers and adequate grips (sweet!), while switchgear remains standard.

Fancy alloy footpegs and rear brake lever lend a touch of class

Classy touches are an alloy brake pedal and alloy footrests. The Apache RTR retains an identical fuel tank and body panels, but has now upgraded to clear lens turn indicators, and an LED tail-light system on its raised butt. The rear fender and silencer exit area are altered while the numberplate region is now illumnated.

RTR 160`s smart looking aloly finish levers.

The old Apache motor adopts a new cowl and has undergone major changes, to up capcacity from previous 147.5cc to 159.7cc on the new RTR. The larger capacity RTR uses a short-stroke mantra to become quicker-revving. This air-coled and twin-valve unit has recieved several internal tweaks, including attention lavished on its inlet and exhaust ends, clutch and gear processes as well as the combustion chamber. The gearbox remains a 5-speed unit, shifting in the ubiquitous one-down and four-up patters the RTR 160 differing from the Apache 150 to use a sporty toe shift lever.

All-new 159.7cc short stroke engine

Thumb the RTR motor to life at idle speeds and its apparent much fine-tuning has gone into achieving a perfect and powerful exhaust beat. The clutch feels well weighted, and completely judder-free even when strained to launch the bike hard for quick acceleration. gearshifting is efforless too. The new RTR 160 shares gear ratios with the Apache 150, filling them better with its now 15.2Bhp peak power developed at 8500rpm. while our stint with the bike was limited to few hours, the RTR felt like it accelerated convincingly faster than all its smaller 150cc segement rivals. RTR is acronym for Rapid Throttle Response and the bike lives up to its name with its quick response from any region in powerband. Power delievery kicks in close above idle, building viciously with a small step in its mid-range as revs rise to a scream when pulling towards the red line. The short-stroke motor holds high revs with ease and loves being given the stick. We were pleased to find the new RTR offering enough oomph to still display stout pull while shifting from 4th to 5th gear just under its red-line at speeds hovering around 100kmph
mark. We have yet to strap any test gear to the new bike, our guess is that it should achieve a top-whack somewhere close to 115kmph. Vibes seemed to be isolated to bearable limits, no doubt helped by the RTR`s use of rubber mounting for its footrests.

Ergonomics are unlike any 150cc, with the RTR 160`s footrests being clearly rear-set, and its clip-on handlebars dropping the rider significatly lower than on the Apache 150. Its worth mentioning the riding position can be slightly altered using simple tools to shift the handlebars a few millimeters. Tall riders will enjoy the `bars set slightly further away from them.

New gas charged rear shocks

These changes make the rider sit further into the riding saddle which helps the inner thighs grip the tank surface in a better manner. Riders who don`t like sporty bikes will be advised to skip the RTR 160 and stick to bikes like Honda Unicorn and Hero Honda Achiever.

With its added power, the RTR stretches its twin-downtube frame closer to its limits, and wheelbase on the new bike is up to 1300mm, with the use of a 17-inch front rim and 18-inch rear, loaded with TVS rubber. Kerb weight is enarly the same, while suspention front and rear has been reworked extensively to embrace the new sporty character, but remains similar format front telescopic forks and twin gas-charged rear shock absorbers mated to a rectangle section swingarm . While our purely trackside experience on the RTR was too brief to pass concrete judgement on its ride quality, this TVS felt like it was set on sporty and firm side, with impoved straightline stability and sure-footed and neutral cornering manners.

Petal front disk brake makes its debut in India

Brakes have been beefed up considerably, with massive 270mm petal disk used in front, and rear retaining its 130mm drum. Brake feel is potent and razor-sharp, the bike managing to hold a straight line even under heavy emergency stops. A petal disk arrangement helps the disc rotor disperse heat faster and makes its appearance in India for the first time

Seen overall, the Apache RTR 160 makes a clear disvergence from TVS' Philosophy. Rather than half-hearted job trying to keep everyone happy with sporty as well as little commuter-friendly personality bliend in, this model makes a bolder
statement. The RTR is not here to please the commuter. This TVS is clearly going to delight the discerning biker, with racy styling, a relatively large bore, quick revving short-stroke powerplant and sporty riding stance. the Latest Apache should become the sought-after true-blue sports bike among its competitors- and lends itself nicely to the phrase 'race on Sunday, sell on Monday'.

Pics and review from Auotocar India May 2007

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