TVS has done the unthinkable — changed the Apache’s character by giving it a good helping of oomph.
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.
Why abandon an image that’s nicely accepted? The RTR looks very similar to its precursor, 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 that’s fast becoming de rigueur across bike segments. Move closer and the RTR delights with thin pinstripes running along the wheels as well as bright rear suspension springs. The new Apache instruments are digital, with 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 system, low battery level 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, while switchgear remains standard.
Classy touches are an alloy brake pedal and footrests. The Apache 160 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 stern. The rear fender and silencer exit area are altered while the numberplate region is now illuminated.
The old Apache motor adopts a new cowl and has undergone major changes, to up capacity from 147.5cc to 159.7cc on the new RTR. The larger capacity RTR uses the short-stroke mantra to become quicker-revving. This air-cooled and twin-valve unit has received 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 five-speed unit, shifting in the ubiquitous one-down and four-up pattern—the RTR 160 differing from the Apache 150 to use a sporty toe shift lever.
Thumb the RTR motor to life at idle speeds and it’s 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 effortless 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 a few hours, the RTR felt like it accelerated convincingly faster than all its smaller 150cc segment rivals. RTR is an acronym for Rapid Throttle Response and the bike lives up to this with its quick response from any region of its powerband. Power delivery 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 fourth to fifth gear just under its red line at speeds hovering around the 100kph mark. While we have yet to strap any test gear to the new bike, our seat-of-the-pants estimate is that it should achieve a true top whack somewhere close to 115kph. 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 150, with the RTR 160’s footrests being clearly rear-set, and its clip-on handlebars dropping the rider significantly lower than on the Apache 150. It’s worth mentioning the riding position can be slightly altered using simple tools to shift the handlebars a few millimetres. Tall riders will enjoy the ‘bars set slightly further away from them.
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’s Unicorn. 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, shorn with TVS rubber. Kerb weight is nearly the same, while suspension front and rear has been reworked extensively to embrace the new sporty character, but remains in 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 the sporty and firm side, with improved straightline stability and sure-footed and neutral cornering manners.
Anchors have been beefed up considerably, with a massive 270mm petal disc used in front, and the 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 disc 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 divergence from TVS’ philosophy. Rather than a half-hearted job trying to keep everyone happy with sporty as well as little commuter-friendly personality blended 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 larger 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.’
FACT FILE
- Price Rs 57,500 (est ex-showroom) On sale June 2007
- L/W/H 2020/730/1050mm
- Wheelbase 1300mm
- Ground clearance 180mm
- Fuel tank capacity 16 litres
- Kerb weight 136kg
- Engine layout Single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke 159.7cc
- Power 15.2bhp at 8500rpm
- Torque 1.33kgm at 6000rpm
- Specific output 95.1bhp per litre
- Power to weight 111.7bhp per tonne
- Gearbox5-speed, 1-down,4-up
- Front suspension telescopic forks
- Rear suspension Gas-charged shock absorbers, rectangle section swingarm
- Front brake 270mm petal disc
- Rear brake 130mm drum
- Wheels 6-spoke, aluminium alloy
- Rim size (f-r) 1.85 x 17 – 2.15 x 18 inches
- Tyre size (f-r) 90/90 x 17- 100/80 x 18 inches
VERDICT
Racy Apache RTR 160 sure to grab the Indian enthusiast’s pulse.
Courtesy: AutoCar India
