TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and 200 4V
Can TVS’s Apache RTR 160 4V retain its fun factor with the shift to BS VI? We investigate
The revised iterations of the popular Apache performance duo get updated for 2020
By April 2020, All motorcycles sold in indiA will have to adhere to the stringent Bs Vi emission norms. this is a great step for the environment, ensuring cleaner air for future generations; however, as a motorcycle junkie, i can’t help but feel a bit of trepidation. After all, for a current generation Bs iV-compliant motorcycle to pass the new Bs Vi standards, it requires an additional catalytic converter within the exhaust system, which adds weight and compromises the exhaust note. the ecU also goes through tuning and mapping changes that result in the engine making a little less power, hence the expectation of a Bs-Vi motorcycle is that it will weigh more, not perform as well, and not sound as good as its predecessors.
so, you can understand my anxiety as we approached the tVs factory and test-track in Hosur to ride the updated-for-2020 Apache rtr 160 4V. the original 160 4V was an instant hit when it was launched in early 2018 and has been my daily ride to and from work for over a year. it is quick, involving, and great fun through the urban sprawl and i fear that adding weight and subtracting power may rob the 2020 iteration of the fine balance that made the outgoing bike such an enjoyable machine. However, tVs is a company with a rich racing heritage and building bikes that perform is of prime importance to them. Hence the invite to ride the new rtr 160 4V at their private test-track in the hope of putting my fears to rest.
the only obvious visible difference between this bike and the older 160 4V is the headlight, which is now an led unit in an all-new housing. i actually prefer the look of the older version, but, maybe, that’s because i’ve spent so much time with it. the rest of the bike seems unchanged, except for a few stickers and a dualtone seat. A quick tap of the new onetouch starter brings the 160-cc single eagerly to life with a healthy, unspoiled exhaust note that immediately puts a smile on my face.
on paper, the 2020 Apache 160 4V makes about 0.8 less horsepower and 0.6 nm less torque than the outgoing bike, but accelerating down the long straight at tVs’s test-track, the bike felt as enthusiastic as i remember it, effortlessly getting to triple-digit speeds. in fact, i found the throttle
response marginally better than on the outgoing bike, and acceleration through the rev-range felt smooth and linear. the five-speed gearbox is unchanged and shifts in either direction are smooth and positive.
one of the talking points of this motorcycle is what tVs call “Gtt”, short for Glide through technology. this is a torque assist system that slightly opens the butterfly valves in the throttle body at crawling speeds, so that you don’t have to use the throttle when negotiating slow-moving traffic. Although it sounds somewhat gimmicky, the system works well and you can even set off from a standstill without any throttle, by slowly releasing the clutch and cruise along at seven km/h in first gear, 12 km/h in second gear, and about 17 km/h in third, with no danger of stalling the motorcycle. this should make urban commutes through dense traffic somewhat easier.
the Apache 160 4V has always been a great-handling motorcycle and that hasn’t changed with this update. the telescopic fork and the showa-tuned monoshock are set up to provide an ideal compromise between performance and comfort, combining a quick-steering character with the ability to soak up mid-corner bumps without destabilizing the chassis or startling the rider. tVs have also offset the weight gains from the additional hardware within the visually unchanged exhaust system by shaving off weight in several places, including the headlight, new, lightweight piston, panel mounting points on the chassis and more, for an unchanged kerb weight of 149 kilograms.
Braking duties are still handled by petal discs at both ends; however, tVs have now included a single-channel ABs system to keep the front wheel from locking up. this is no doubt a necessary safety feature, but i feel it still needs a bit of tuning. stopping power is still excellent, though the once firm brake lever now feels quite spongy and lacks feedback. i found the ABs itself to be a little too intrusive, especially when braking hard over less than perfect tarmac. this will probably be a non-issue around town, but will be noticed if aggressively pushing this bike to its limit and i feel some improvement is due in this respect; after all, tVs position this bike as a sporty commuter, imbued with their “racing dnA”.
now comes the matter of price. the fuel-injected version of the outgoing bike retails at just over rs 1 lakh, while the Bs-Vi relevant hardware and development that went into the new bike has pushed the price up by about rs 2,500. i consider this a small price to pay for cleaner air in our cities.
riding the 2020 Apache rtr 160 4V was quite a relief. i travelled to Hosur somewhat worried that the new emission norms would result in a neutered version of the exciting little motorcycle that i quite like, but i am happy to report that tVs have found a way to adhere to the new legislation while still keeping the excitement quotient intact. the tVs Apache rtr 160 4V is still, in my opinion, one of the best all-round sporty commuters you can buy in the 150- to 180-cc segment.
now flip over to the next page to read our review of the 160 4V’s big brother, the new Apache rtr 200 4V.
The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is still, in my opinion, one of the best all-round sporty commuters you can buy in the 150- to 180-cc segment