Existing owners of a motorcycles are usually the best judges of facelifted or new versions of the same motorcycle. One such owner is ICB reader Dinesh Kumar, who owns a TVS Apache RTR160. Dinesh went ahead and test rode the recently launched facelifted version of the Apache and here’s what he had say about this motorcycle.
“NEW BREED OF TEARS” New Apache RTR 160 – FIRST IMPRESSION!
The new beast is tested and tried. It is a tamed beast and lacks the punch. ”New breed of fear” is the tag line. I would say leave alone the fear factor, it is a “nightmare” for Apache fans. It is slow and sluggish unlike the outgoing version, which is brisk and swift and loves to zip through. They have tried to refine the engine, but nothing seems to have worked this time around for TVS. The engine is tuned to go farther in each gear.
We no longer have the shorter gear ratios that take us to the top gear in absolutely no time. I guess this was in an effort to give a smoother ride and improve fuel efficiency. The vibrations do still exist and they have failed to deliver a smoother ride. I rode my RTR 160, which is just four months old, immediately after the test ride and mine felt much smoother. It will take some more time for the fuel efficiency figures to surface.
On the other hand, they have also lost out on the pure aggression of the older model. The new one doesn’t have a sporty feel. It seems more like a commuter motorcycle. The switch gear is new, but feels out of place. I needed to reach for the switches – the turn indicators’ switch, horn switch, etc. The tyres are wider and tubeless, which are two positives. The wheelbase appears to have been slightly increased.
They seemed to have worked on the ergonomics and the seating posture seems nice and comfy, but it now lacks the sporty feel. The seat is a little longer unlike the older one where-in there would be no room for a pillion if you had a back-pack on. Now, the pillion gets somewhat more space than before. I must admit I never did feel like I was riding an Apache all along. The vehicle also appeared to have put on a few kilos.
It appeared a bit heavier than the previous model. I got a pretty decent test ride and maneuvering through the traffic was not as easy as it was with the older model. The tank shrouds are huge and without the air scoops look like chunks of plastic sticking out. The price as I mentioned yesterday is 79k on-road in Hyderabad. There are four color options – gray, green, yellow, and red. All come with the dual tone theme where black is the other standard color.
Many will find this model to be “most un-Apache like.” I guess that is the bottom line. “New beast, old bloodline” was the tagline, but I would say “this is not at all a beast…to say the least”. Time to end this on a positive note guys. The new 180 is yet to hit the showrooms here in Hyderabad. I hope they do not mess with it. Going by the latest spy pics, the 180 does look much better. I hope it handles better as well. I will keep you guys posted as soon as I can get my hands on the 180 here in Hyderabad. Until then, wear your helmets, ride safe, put your headlights on low beam, and do not use a cell phone while riding. Bye and God bless.
SOURCE : IndianCarsBikes
“NEW BREED OF TEARS” New Apache RTR 160 – FIRST IMPRESSION!
The new beast is tested and tried. It is a tamed beast and lacks the punch. ”New breed of fear” is the tag line. I would say leave alone the fear factor, it is a “nightmare” for Apache fans. It is slow and sluggish unlike the outgoing version, which is brisk and swift and loves to zip through. They have tried to refine the engine, but nothing seems to have worked this time around for TVS. The engine is tuned to go farther in each gear.
We no longer have the shorter gear ratios that take us to the top gear in absolutely no time. I guess this was in an effort to give a smoother ride and improve fuel efficiency. The vibrations do still exist and they have failed to deliver a smoother ride. I rode my RTR 160, which is just four months old, immediately after the test ride and mine felt much smoother. It will take some more time for the fuel efficiency figures to surface.
On the other hand, they have also lost out on the pure aggression of the older model. The new one doesn’t have a sporty feel. It seems more like a commuter motorcycle. The switch gear is new, but feels out of place. I needed to reach for the switches – the turn indicators’ switch, horn switch, etc. The tyres are wider and tubeless, which are two positives. The wheelbase appears to have been slightly increased.
They seemed to have worked on the ergonomics and the seating posture seems nice and comfy, but it now lacks the sporty feel. The seat is a little longer unlike the older one where-in there would be no room for a pillion if you had a back-pack on. Now, the pillion gets somewhat more space than before. I must admit I never did feel like I was riding an Apache all along. The vehicle also appeared to have put on a few kilos.
It appeared a bit heavier than the previous model. I got a pretty decent test ride and maneuvering through the traffic was not as easy as it was with the older model. The tank shrouds are huge and without the air scoops look like chunks of plastic sticking out. The price as I mentioned yesterday is 79k on-road in Hyderabad. There are four color options – gray, green, yellow, and red. All come with the dual tone theme where black is the other standard color.
Many will find this model to be “most un-Apache like.” I guess that is the bottom line. “New beast, old bloodline” was the tagline, but I would say “this is not at all a beast…to say the least”. Time to end this on a positive note guys. The new 180 is yet to hit the showrooms here in Hyderabad. I hope they do not mess with it. Going by the latest spy pics, the 180 does look much better. I hope it handles better as well. I will keep you guys posted as soon as I can get my hands on the 180 here in Hyderabad. Until then, wear your helmets, ride safe, put your headlights on low beam, and do not use a cell phone while riding. Bye and God bless.
SOURCE : IndianCarsBikes
20 comments:
test driving new bike is different from older one,
in test drive we cant find the performance can be find only some usages and services, u seem to be unable to digest the new model
people who hv an apache rtr are the best
people to judge it unlike non rtr users !
even a slight change in performance cn be
spotted in the first instant in terms of pick
up and the handling of the bike , it doesnt
need a month or two to judge the
difference in performance !
i guess its a good first hand review from the user !
that guy who did the review is a complete moron! just because he has bought old model just 4 months back the has just tried to find negative stuff! he might have not done it intentionally but that's the fact! they haven't touched the engine at all then how he is telling no grunt? answer vibration reduction, the old versions vibration only used to give us that grunty aggressive feel, since many complained they have reduced that! so people who used old will feel new doesn't have grunt, and without that grunt you'll not feel like twisting to throttle, and when you don't twist the throttle offcourse it's going feel sluggish! that guy has told only negative negative negative! has he mentioned the good stuffs like DRL (day running lights)? no, new speedometers self check which goes 54321 GO instead of 188 ? no! his mind was set that new one sucked even before he tested it! so this is a review of a guy who is blinded by his 4 months new bike (old model)
during test drive you can only check the features and seating position of the bike not it's true performance! true performance can be only tested on the track!
and keep in mind the vibrations only used to give that grunt feel so when they reduced it it's natural he felt sluggish!
and this review is purely a review from a person who is being blinded by his fairly new but old model bike!
did u ride the bike ??
then on what grounds can u say that he is writing all crap !!!
its a first hand user review so dat people cn get an idea while purchasing the new rtr series and that guy has driven the bike so if not the entire negative points but 70-80% got to be true !!!
And abt the 54321 stuff there's no need to mention such lame thing,Apache enthusiasts wanted some performance upgrade not this useless 54321 thing !!!
you call it lame but it is a good feature which gives good feel to the rider! yes I haven't taken the test ride yet! why? cause I don't want to give one sided review like this! in the test drive what would have been his Max speed? 50-60??? you can't judge the performance of the bike like that!!!! I'm waiting for the test drive that the company promised so that I can really test it's full potential, showroom test drive you can't find out anything , you drive around like a commuter in 56-60 you'll feel the bike is like a commuter! "its a first hand user review so dat people cn get an idea whle purchasing the new rtr series" it's only miss guiding! it's like a frustrated guy telling don't Apache here after cause they failed to give us more cc! :-D what the heck an guy who wants to buy 180 will buy 180 even if there is an higher cc available! such behaviour is only cause they are upset cause they expected higher cc and they didn't get It!
the review given here is a total shit. I am having Apache RTR from more than a year now. I took a test ride today. Thomson is right, this guy who reviewed it, is frustrated just because he could not get this one, and could have got if waited for some more. The new RTR is just the best. And its not only the 54321 thing. There are lot more to be seen. Tubeless tyres for the start, second it delivers more power as compared to the old one. Vibration is negligible now at low speeds. They have really worked on that part. Gear shifting is much more better now. Maneuvering through the traffic was much more easier than the older one. With the bigger air scoops now, bike seems to be in control as compared to the older one. You can say, the bike is not threatening now as it was before. 160 is vailable at 79800 in bangalore.
Hey u all, its visor looking like a Pulsar 150 & its headlights looking like a TVS Flame. But it got broad & tubeless tyres,new console meter, angry eyes twinlamps,engine is somewhat to refined but vibrations is still in there at high speeds, gear shifting is smooth than the previous one, but it is not providing with air tank shrouds means shroud is there but not ventilated & TVS tyres grips are bad compared to MRF tyres & this bike is bulky than the previous one so turning in the traffic is somewhat tidiness, rear seat is longer, but it is not looking like sportier one , it is luking like a commuter bike & in the riding it feels like a commuter bike , non-apache feeling.
good review i have always read professional review its now good to read a readers review it will to decide on our beasts......
Good Post!!!!!!!!!!!
can some some please let me know the mileage of this bike - rtr 160 please
It is around 45-50kmpl under proper riding conditions !!!
Hey Guys i just confused between New CBZ Extreme OR New Apache beast...which one is best to buy.... i want ur reviews
Well,yes both bikes are good but each one has some merits over the other. Like if we talk about CBZ Xtreme then it is hero product and has a refined engine.Apache is good in looks, with good power and pickup. CBZ extreme is a big bike in looks compared to Apache. So I would recommend you to take a test ride of both, check the height, sitting ease for yourself before buying a bike.
The Headlight design of the Apache gives an impression of head with a big tumor......hahahahaha
i am having the new rtr 160 beast. i very impressed with the pick up and handling of the vehicle. but its vibration starts from 45 but stop after 60 then it get off...
i hav d new apache rtr frm 3 mnths xactly now... i must say for a tall guy like me( read 6') the new one is a blessing... the old bike (driven numerous times by d courtesy of a frnd) was a little sloping n u drive it like the tron-movie bike.. it feels good for d first dozen miles but then your spine and back all scream in pain.. the new bike with enhanced seating and handling positions is lyk any other 150cc bike (pulsar).. very comfortable 2 seat and ride.. and the headlight and looks are very gud.. the tank covers (shrouds) seem like excess but they keep d engine upto 10 degrees cooler... more so the mileage is better than any of d rests.. mine easily shows 50-55 wen driving around 50-60... new 1 is d best.. plz take a ride and say.. dont blabber un-necessary things.. ride safe.. bye..
well by the way guys... have any of you seen the new cbz-xtreme??? its big.. sorry huge.. looks lyk a spaceship kind-of..
see the thing is whatever this guy is saying is wrong .
i have both bikes and new indeed is better
the guy is totally wrong about the gear ratios
and mostly older owners go on critisizing becoz they feel decived by the newer better version .......... bad luck for those who purchased old model new bike . i seriously recommend to go for it for me it gives good milage and is very sporty feel bike its good to have it so please dnt put ur self into TEARS by the new FEAR lol
Currently owning Apache rtr 180 2012 model...
Crossed over 1800 Kms on my odo...Top speed cloaked- 98 Kmph
Got serviced once
Mileage 45Kmpl - Ripping, 46Kmpl - City , 51 Kmpl Highways..
No problem untill now but the headlamp really sucks...
They are not bright enough in night, especially when a fool with high beam suddenly approaches in front of you.You will definitely feel scary when you hit 50+ kmph during night because of poor visibility..
So I suggest my fellow riders to better install a HID + projector Head lamps maybe after a couple of service.
Initially Minor Vibrations are present at around 50-70 Kmph @ 4500 - 6500rpm and again appears at 95-100 Kmph @ 8500-9000rpm....but after some time you will be adjusted to these vibrations.... and trust me guys you will start loving this bike after 1500 Kms
Drive safely and responsibly and always wear Helmets. Enjoy Riding..:)
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