FROM FACTORY TO THE TRACK
We take the new TVS Apache RTR 200 4V on a pilgrimage that has been crucial to the evolution of the Apache brand, right from the TVS factory in Hosur to Chennai’s Madras Motor Race Track
Those who’ve grown up around Indian motorsport have always known that one of the major driving forces for the sport on two wheels has been TVS. Whether on the dirt, hard top or even on the god-only-knows mixed terrain of Sholavaram, TVS has been right there in the thick of it. Where most came to the track to gain a few PR brownie points, TVS and their racing division TVS Racing has always taken the holistic approach. I’d argue that as a result TVS has got more out of racing than all of the other motorcycle brands in India put together, and proof of that is the Apache brand, which, in a little less than two decades, has grown exponentially to become the most comprehensive entry-level sports motorcycle brand in India.
Ranging from the Apache RTR 160 to the fully-faired track-focussed Apache RR 310, each motorcycle in the range has, without a doubt, the best features, performance, han
AS EACH YEAR THE CYCLE PROGRESSES FROM THE FACTORY IN HOSUR TO THE PROVING GROUNDS OF THE MMRT WHERE LEARNINGS AND DATA ARE COMPILED ONLY TO RETURN TO THE FACTORY WHERE IMPROVEMENTS ARE INCORPORATED
dling and relative price-point for the riding enthusiast. As each year the cycle progresses from the factory in Hosur to the proving grounds of the Madras Motor Race Track where learnings and data are compiled only to return to the factory where improvements are incorporated. And every year, they’ve come back with a better motorcycle. This was TVS’ pilgrimage to excellence, something that’s ingrained in the TVS way of life, and now it was our turn to be a part of it. For us, it was the perfect homage to a brand that we hold in such high regard.
The TVS factory is located in Hosur on the outskirts of Bangalore about 300km away from the MMRT in Sriperumbudur on the outskirts of Chennai. Our weapon of choice for the journey, the 2020 Apache RTR 200 4V. In our minds this was the perfect motorcycle for the journey because the Apache RTR 200 is in many ways the
motorcycle that connects the history of the Apache RTR brand, with motorcycles like the Apache RTR 160 and 180 with the RR 310, that is representative of the cutting edge future of TVS. The idea was to showcase the spectrum of abilities of the Apache RTR series of motorcycles, straight out of the factory onto the highway and after a short battle through Sriperumbadur’s wild traffic, finally onto the MMRT to fully unleash the RTR 200’s potential.
Our ride to Chennai began at the early hours of the morning, from Hosur. Dark clouds circled ominously overhead, threatening to unleash one of Bangalore’s signature downpours. As scores of TVS employees filtered into the factory, we set off with the Apache RTR 200 4V pointed in the direction of Chennai and the MMRT. Hoping to outrun the rain, we threw the Apache RTR 200 4V in Sport mode and set off along the Bangalore-Chennai expressway. A 6-six lane highway meant that there was enough space to safely keep
triple-digit cruising speeds. Usually, on a single-cylinder small-displacement motorcycle highspeed cruising means vibrations galore, but on the 200cc Apache what stood out is how buttery smooth the 200cc motor is, even with the revs as high as 8,000rpm.
The overcast day made for perfect riding weather as we made our way along the highway lined on either side by the hills that line the Eastern ghats of the country. Out on the highway, I began to realise that despite being of the sportbike orientation, the 200cc Apache was more than comfortable out on the road. The seat is a good balance of cushion and rigidity that really makes long hours on the bike feel unstrained and natural.
ON THE 200CC APACHE WHAT STOOD OUT IS HOW BUTTERY SMOOTH THE 200CC MOTOR IS, EVEN WITH THE REVS AS HIGH AS 8,000RPM