KING OF PERFORMANCE TVS APACHE RTR 160 4V BS6

When it comes to aesthetics, the biggest change on the new 2020 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is an all-LED headlamp with a completely fresh design. The LED DRLs are bigger and better than before and the headlamp is now split into two parts for the low and high beam. The company claims that the new unit offers segment-best penetration and spread and we will be able to confirm this only when the bike comes to us for a proper road test. Apart from this, the BS6 model gets new race-inspired graphics, all thanks to which the bike looks more appealing than before. The rest of the elements like side panels, fuel tank, exhaust, and the rear section are exactly the same as the previous BS4 model. Being a more environment-friendly model, one small change is that now you get to see BS6 stickering on the engine cowl instead of BS4.



Now coming to the instrument cluster, it continues to remain a highly informative unit as it gets some segment-first features like 0 to 60 lap timer and top speed recorder along with the usual readouts. However, the gear position display has been removed from the BS6 model that was present on the fuel-injected variant of the previous BS4 version. Moreover, the kick starter has also been given a miss on the new model and while it is not a major demerit, it would have been an additional point. Now coming to another change, if we really go into the details, the speedometer cable now has been linked to the front wheel on the BS6 model compared to the BS4 version in which it is to the rear wheel. Though it is not a major change, this brings bad news for people who used to put the bike on the center stand, engage the gears and record fake stop speeds on the instrument cluster with the help of the freely-spinning rear wheel. So, goodbye bogus social media posts!



Now, coming to the new features, the new 2020 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V gets Glide Through Technology (GTT) which is indeed a practical and usable one that comes handy in traffic. All thanks to this tech, you can let the bike crawl in bumper-to-bumper traffic with the minimum use of the clutch. All you have to do is release the clutch gradually and the bike will move ahead without stalling and this works even in 2nd and 3rd gears. Another new feature is a one-touch electric start and as the name suggests, this helps in easy starting and you don’t have to long-press the electric start button to start the bike. Better convenience is always welcome, isn’t it! Additional features include wave bite key and redesigned rearview mirrors which the company calls ‘claw’ mirrors.

2020 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V BS6 – Engine specifications and performance


Coming to the powertrain, the 2020 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V BS6 draws power from the same 159.7cc, oil-cooled, single-cylinder engine that powers the BS4 version as well. Due to the BS6 update, the power and torque figures have seen a slight drop compared to the latter. While the power has now gone down by 0.8hp at 15.8hp, the peak torque output has also seen a decline of 0.68Nm at 14.12Nm. Like the previous model, the engine gets a five-speed gearbox. The gearshifts are now smoother and we didn’t experience a false neutral during our ride. With the BS6 update, the bike now comes in a fuel-injected variant only and hence, no carbureted variants now with the RTR 160 4V. All thanks to the company’s RT-Fi system, the engine now feels more responsive and smoother. The refinement levels have gone up as well along with crisper throttle response.