Recently there has been lot of news about TVS for their latest upgraded Apache series RTR . There were lot of speculation about the bike regarding the performance and styling of the bike but now that it has already started featuring in showrooms , all details are now crystal clear .
Firstly when few spy pics surfaced on the internet most of us were unhappy about the design and styling of the bike but we must say that when u look at the bike yourself in the showroom it actually looks stunning . It definitely looks bulky when placed along side the previous RTR versions . The Air scoop and Engine cowl blend with the bike and give it a muscle like appearance .Only let down in the bike is the windshield which doesn't go well with the appearance of the beast other than that everything is perfectly designed .
Many people complained about the air scoop to be bulky but if u take a loot at it in real u won't find it to be that big .
The New features in the Bike Include :
Beast Inspired Headlamps:
The LED light guide combined with new pilot lamps form a pair of intense animalistic eyes which look stunning. This definitely the highlight of the 2012 TVS Apache series RTR .
New Instrument Cluster:
The RTR series now gets an all new muscled styling with Blue Backlit display . Earlier only the RTR 180 had Blue Backlit display but now the RTR 160 also sports this .
TVS bike have always been tech savvy , another new feature in the bike include the countdown-on-ignition speedometer which gives kind of a racing feel to the rider.
Also to mention are the carbon fibre cues in the new Apache series RTR .
New Spurs and Saree guard :
The 2012 Apache RTR series now gets new spurs and an all new saree guard which looks totally different from the previous versions .
Now you might be thinking what are spurs , they are nothing but a short spike or spiked wheel that attaches to the heel of a rider's boot .The all-new 2012 TVS Apache Series RTR features an all-new split footrest design, on the lines of international motorcycling standards. The rider footrest gets a sporty heel protector. The best part? The legendary Apache ergonomics remain untouched, even after a radical redesign.
Muscled Tail cowl :
The RTR is now equipped with a radical race design with a lighter and chiselled tail which further adds on to the styling and aerodynamics of the beast .The design of the rear tail light is siimlar to that in Yamaha R15 .
The most important feature of the new RTR is that it now features a Tri-coloured race insignia which is a badge of Indian Nationality . Really we would like to praise TVS for such innovative ideas .
It gives you a feeling as if you are racing for India .
New Engine Cowl and Leg Guard:
TVS have come up with a new engine cowl design for RTR series which they call it as perpetual motion styling .It enhances the aerodynamics due to its razored design . We must say TVS have done a lot of homework in the aerodynamics of the bike . But the new muscled engine cowl reduces the ground clearance of the beast to 165 mm against the 180 mm in the previous versions.
The RTR now comes with small leg guard as compared to the earlier version but what matters is how it serves the purpose and in RTR's case it definitely does .
New Air Scoops and Muscled Tank:
TVS has totally designed the air scoop which were there in the previous version of the Apache . Those air scoops did wonders of the bike at high speed , still it had issues at high speeds but now TVS has come up with a muscled design to combat wind resistance . It has been angled in such a way that it would reduce the engine heat by a spectacular 10°C .Aerodynamics really play a huge part in keeping the bike stable at high speeds and TVS have really given optimum importance on this matter .
New Seats and Graphics :
The bike now includes two tone seats which were earlier available only in the RTR 180 ABS version , but we seriously think TVS should have gone for split seats since it would really blend with bike .
Also to mention is the rear seat is now longer and wider unlike the previous RTR versions . Earlier if the rider had bag packed , then the pillion would hardly get some space to sit but this problem seems to be sorted out now .
It also comes loaded with a new set of graphics .
The Engine specifications of the the RTR 160 , RTR 180 and RTR 180 ABS remain the same .
Now the RTR 160 is available in 4 shades viz Grey ,Red,Yellow and Green , the RTR 160 comes in a dual tone scheme.
The RTR 180 is available in 4 shades as well viz White,Yellow,Grey and Black .
The 2012 TVS Apache RTR160 is priced at INR 67,505(ex showroom Delhi) while the RTR180 is priced at INR 72,090(ex showroom Delhi) . TVS also offers the ABS version of the RTR180 priced a INR 82,780 (ex showroom Delhi)
Bikoholic Verdict : The beast is not bad at all both in terms of performance and looks , it is pleasing when u look at it in real .
The vibrations in the bike has reduced considerably.
The engine seems more refined with the original RTR grunting sound also the gear ratios are same as they were in the previous RTR .The handling of the bike is even better with the new aerodynamics , you might mind it bulky by looking at it but ride it to feel it .Power and torque of the bike also remain the same .
In short it is great bike , don't go by its pictures on net , u must ride it to actually get the feeling of the bike .
So head to your nearest showroom and take test drive .
.jpg)
