Apache RTR 160

Apache RTR 160

Every morning, after I wake up, I will be waiting for the time to press that sweet ignition button of my apache rtr, which will simply pump that unfelt adrealine through my veins. Its not just me. all other RTR'ians will have that pump for sure.

TVS was out of my list as I came across a lot of quality issue rumours, I repeat RUMOURS about it. But thanks to my long time no see friend who had his 2 year old apache rtr on which I had a short ride. Just one word. MINDBLOWING! Not just in terms of perfomance but so suprised on the price as well. I had the test ride on this monster on diwali of 2009(I loved riding it so I wanted to ride it again), booked it on the same day, and got it delivered on the next 1 week. My first 1000kms with my bike was the hardest times I had. My right wrist was constantly cursing me for not twisting it, as so many silly craps were riding fast ahead me. But for the sake of my bike's perfomance and life, I had to take those curses and tame that monster within 40-45kmph.

The cursing phase came to an end soon, as I would travel 40kms a day. The next min I had crossed my 1000kms, I stopped my bike and had some refreshments and started receiving blissful blessings from my right wrist. It is indeed a Rev Happy Machine. The light weight of the bike and the astounding figure of 15.2bhp, together delivers you 60kmph in the shortest time possible. The company claims 4.8secs for 0-60kmph, but my best is still stuck up with 5.1 secs. I should still master with my monster.

My monster would easily compete till 200cc class and put the 150cc's to shame, 180cc's neck to neck and wins at last and finally a tough and equal competition to 200cc's. But as per that bloody Newton's law my bike can fight and win only 150cc's with a pillion. An average 13.1nm torque contributes that.

Handling of this bike is miserable.but only till the first 3 hrs(in my case). After that passing through very narrow spaces, even which is risky to pass about with a RX100, is like passing a knife through butter. so precise and easy. Thanks to clip-on's. This also helps in a very good and eye-catching leanings in corners.

I hate to hop on other bikes except for FZ after riding this.

The console is not just a flashy show off thing like other bikes but also provides all basic needs. The digital side holds the utilities like clock, 2- trip meters, 1 odo meter, digital fuel gauge, 0-60kmph time recorder and finally a high speed recorder. The analog side holds the RPM meter, low battery indicator, service due indicator and low fuel indicator. Among these the fuel gauge is of not much use as it indicates approximate amount of fuel left, which is almost wrong all times and the service due indicator blinks at you in terms of the kilometers run and not the wear and tear.

The seating arrangement is well done and the footrest is placed at right place, so that not only your hands control your bike but also your body does. Beleive me it is one of the best bikes to ride with your GF's, if you want her to stick to your back. The petal shaped disc does the trick, in which the rear drum brake(its my version) holds 30% share for stopping the mad beast, and both excels in their job. Moreover unlike the braking of the stupid pulsar, in which the entire weight of the bike is transformed to the front suspension, the apache rtr has an equal weight distribution, which eases the riding pressure.

The Apache RTR is a good adaptable bike. The reason is if you are a driver who drives his bike at 50 to 65kmph, you can blindly expect a mileage of 53 to 55kmpl. But if you are a Rider who proves you are indeed a Rip Rash Rider you will manage aroung 45kmpl(Figures are about the Carburetted version). I feel that it is in the above expected level for the perfomance delivered by this beast.