It's interesting that things get bigger, and we like it.
We like more balance in our bank, we want more power in our machines,
we want more freedom to move around after COVID-19 wave two has disappeared.
But is bigger always better?
This is the story of the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, recently updated.
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let's get into it.
The first generation Apache, a 150, was one of the sharpest, quickest motorcycles in its class,
but the next generation was so dramatic that gen one is about as memorable as David Schwimmer,
at least compared to Matt LeBlanc.
Gen two's superpower was that it was a 160, the first one, it matched the Pulsar's power and
told us clearly that RTR was not ready to race it was in fact,
racing throttle response, signifying that TVS Racing's fastest,
were helping develop the Apache series.
So now we have the new 160.
Now this was already an amazing motorcycle, its balance of performance, smoothness and comfort
has been unmatched, but it's mellowed with age,
it's sort of like a ripe pineapple now, more sweet than tart.
It was so good that nothing could knock it off the pedestal
and that pedestal was, it was our favorite motorcycle in the class for a really, really long time.
But TVS, they're not taking any chances, yeah.
So that 160cc four valve engine, it now makes 1.6PS more, that's a 10% bump in power which
is serious and the motorcycle is two kilos lighter.
Now I would love to tell you how TVS did this, but I can only take a vague stab at it.
TVS says the extra power comes from and I quote, "advancements in engineering".
Mmm...
And from improvements in combustion control both in fueling, air intake and inside the
combustion chamber itself.
The weight loss similarly seems to have come from component level optimization
and again, I quote, "advanced engineering methods".
Now TVS is not the company that comes first to market with segment busting products,
that's just not what they do.
But when they have a product, they methodically match or best the competition.
So timing may not be their strength, but engineering and precision most certainly is,
and the story of this motorcycle, the Apache, it tells you just that.
And when you use this engine on the road, it does remind you of the old 160
and it should right, because that was great, this is good too,
and at low speeds, mid speed, acceleration, it's easy, it feels just like the old motorcycle.
The big difference for me is above 6500RPM that clearly this motorcycle has more
staying power, more grunt and it gets past things even harder.
But even more impressive than that is the change in the tone of the engine because
this engine had become very soft, very refined, very, very smooth
and they've taken it back one notch
and I really enjoyed that because especially above 6500RPM,
there is a harder edge to how the engine feels.
It's not enough for me to call it strained, all that be okay with strain because it has 1.6PS more,
but altogether this engine feels like it's working and producing performance,
which is a very, very satisfying motorcycle to ride.
So that, big thumbs up for me.
TVS does deploy its GTT, glide through tech, where the motorcycle's ECU
helps you maintain a specific speed 7, 12 and 17 in first, second and third gears
without any clutch or throttle input.
It will climb slopes, manage pillions and all that. This is clever and very useful
if the traffic in your town matches these speeds.
So the core of the update is definitely the engine, but I'm happy to report, that in terms
of dynamics, this is 100% Apache RTR 160. I haven't ridden 160s in a while, but getting
back on this motorcycle, it felt I was meeting an old, very intelligent friend.
Now TVS is quite happy to make sporty motorcycles but I think with the BS6 160, the motorcycle
before this one, that motorcycle became a little too refined, a little too sober and felt
a little too mature rather than youthful when you rode it.
I'm happy to report that the balance has been restored, because between the extra performance
in the engine, the sharpness that it is giving you, the Showa suspension and the frame,
this is youthful, energetic and enthusiastic once again, I'm super happy to ride it.
The Apaches have never been overly large motorcycles and this one isn't either,
but since the dragon concept did this magic, the Apaches had a fairly roomy, fairly comfortable riding position,
which is sporty enough and upright enough, both.
This is important because while most Apache 160s will only ever go from home to college
or work and back, the RTR loves corners, it always has, and this one does too.
The brakes on the RTR as you would expect are actually pretty good.
The only thing I would like to change is that, the bite is okay at the beginning
but as you increase the force on the lever, the feedback doesn't increase
and I think a change of pad material might actually cause a little bit of more confidence
coming to you especially hard on the brakes, because the force is actually pretty damn good.
TVS did some designery with this version to round things off.
So there is this fancy seat design and updated graphics.
I'm happy to say that the dramatic design of the Apache, despite the raised eyebrow DRLs
is aging very gracefully indeed, and this motorcycle still looks striking, if not fresh.
Hey TVS,
how about the white backlight on the 160 also now, eh?
Okay look, the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V has always been at the top or near the top of our most
wanted list in the 160cc class and it's not hard to see why, right?
It's got performance, it's comfortable, it's got great ride quality and sharp handling.
In fact I would say, if TVS had offered this motorcycle with dual-channel abs,
this would be a nutcase, I mean, an open and shut case.
And I do have a bone to pick on that front and not with TVS or Bajaj but with the chap
who drafted the ABS law, because they've left a loophole the size of Jupiter in there
and I mean the planet, not the scooter.
How do I put this clearly? Let's say that you were not as dumb as the dumbest guy in
your class, that would definitely be an improvement, but that is not a result.
My advice to you is if you're buying a new motorcycle, please do spend the extra money
and get dual channel ABS, it's a far, far better investment and it's definitely, definitely worth it.
Now it used to be that in the 160cc class, finding a great blend of performance and comfort
was enough, but it's no longer a distinguishing factor
and that's where the Apache comes in because it's got a unique character all of its own
and I would say it had lost a little bit of that because it's become a really mature, smooth
motorcycle and this one takes it back a couple of notches,
and in the process it feels really, really nice to ride.
Now out of these motorcycles, at 1.08 lakh rupees,
you can also get the Bajaj NS 160, the Suzuki Gixxer,
the Hero 160R and the Yamaha FZ of course is a little bit cheaper.
Tell us in the comments which of these four would be your pick for the best 160 in the class
and we'll confirm that when we do a comparison test later.
And before I leave you, I'd like to leave you with a thought.
To get bigger, you have to begin somewhere, right?
I would say that in India, the 160cc class of motorcycles, that's the Apache and its peers
is a great place to start.
Start.
Thank you so much for watching.