TVS Apache RTR 180 Review by Sharath
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Hi! This is Sharath and this article is about my new bike Apache RTR 180 “White” which was brought on 09.09.09! Yes the date is a fancy one and my bike is also fancy and eye catching.
I waited for 3 long weeks to put my hand on my bike. Other colors (black, yellow & titanium grey) were available immediately but for the white color I had to wait 3 weeks.
When I tested black RTR 180 I felt the power in it and it was really nice and smooth. I have already finished my first service for 20 days from date of purchase and now I have completed 1090 KMs.
The Pros Of The Bike:
- It is a 180 cc with 17 bhp and 15.5 Nm torque.
- It has very nice Digital Speedo Console with BLUE Backlit , 2 trip logs- very helpfull, high speed log and (0-60) timer.
- The digital fuel meter is good but not accurate.
- The bike sitting position is damn good which adds sporty looks and you feel great control on bike.
- Bike has really smooth gears and I mean it . I compared with Karizma and RTR’s was really smooth gear shifting but Karizma has that cranking sound when shifting gears. Even my friend who owns Karizma was really impressed by RTR’s gears.
- It has a rear disc and good suspension.
- This bike has really nice looks and the white RTR is an eye catching piece on road. People riding take a glance at my bike and on signal stops lot of questions are thrown about its price, details and most important they are surprised about rear disc! Rear disc is really good and works very nice and funny thing is lot of Karizma riders take deep look into my bike (like rear disc, blue back light and the color itself) and discuss about it within themselves which makes me proud owner of the Apache RTR 180.
But, It has some serious problems:
- Lot of vibrations around 5000rpm-7000rpm (50-70 km) speed and it can be felt all over the bike.
- It is small in size, person with 6 ft and more will have comfort issues.
TVS Factory officials called me and since they were conducting survey on RTR 180′s they came on saturday (10 october 2009) @ Ashwa motors (where actually I bought my bike) and took reviews from me. They were from quality control department and they took photos of bike and mine. They recorded my voice review and I had a long discussion about the bike. I told the vibration issue and they promised that they will talk to their higher officials.
When I asked about their new up coming bikes they told that it is confidential but they gave some little information that they are working hard on braking system and they implementing car braking system! Even power will be increased and looks of the bike will be changed to compete with others in market I seriously recommended to change the looks & make the looks of bike bigger.
And I had little problem with the Engine Off Switch. They took great care and made it ready and did some some tuning – my clutch lever was little hard which they made it loose and handle bar was adjusted for more comfortable ride.
- Sharath
Related posts:
- Apache RTR 180 ‘Menace’ From TVS
- TVS Apache RTR 180 Ownership Review by Vikram Mahadev
- Apache RTR 180 Review by Sankar
- TVS Apache RTR 180 – Project Menace
- TVS Apache RTR 180 vs Bajaj Pulsar 180 – Part 2
65 comments
Deepak on October 21, 2009 at 6:59 pm
The bike seriously looks good in White. Perhaps Hero Honda got the inspiration from TVS and introduced white for Karizma ZMR!
sharath on October 21, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Yes. I think they might have implemented from RTR. It looks really good for RTR.
Prince_omer on October 21, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Wow..the most simplest and amazing article i have ever read…
Anand on October 21, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Hmmm…. The 180 needs a serious road tested review. Hope to see 1 or write 1 soon
CarAdvice on October 21, 2009 at 10:14 pm
White colour really took off with the RTR. Your bike stands out because of that. Good choice.
DIHIRAJ C RAUT on October 21, 2009 at 11:16 pm
the car braking system you were talking about must be ABS…rumours of TVS new bike with ABS were already floating……….
contacthello on October 21, 2009 at 11:58 pm
It is really heartening to learn that people from quality control department took so much pain to make the customer happy. Most of the time they are interested in the survey alone.
Cool bike and a good review.
Raghav on October 22, 2009 at 12:19 am
its my dream bike dude !
Dinesh on October 22, 2009 at 11:26 am
congrats for having a new beast.
anshul on October 22, 2009 at 2:27 pm
can you tell me the average of rtr 180…
CarAdvice on October 22, 2009 at 5:44 pm
ABS will make it to international versions.
sharath on October 22, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Thanks da..
sharath on October 22, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Thanks and this white is pearl white which suits RTR which is different from police white bike….
sharath on October 22, 2009 at 7:35 pm
May be ur right,that tvs factory guy didnt reveal much about it but he said they are seriously taking braking system into consideration..
sharath on October 22, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Ya i have surprised when they stood for about 25 minutes and made my bike ready. They test rode and they corrected some minor handle bar problem also.
sharath on October 22, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Hope U get one
sharath on October 22, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Thanks…
sharath on October 22, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I get around 35-38 kmpl.I commute about 40km daily out of which 20km is on Hosur national highway..
rtr (ready to re-sell) on October 22, 2009 at 10:14 pm
seriously there is nothing special about apache….nobody even notices a rtr it is not eye catching like r15 or the pulsar…enjoy the smooth gears for few months then u bike will turn into a tractor….it vibrates alot …..u should have gone for pulsar 180 …..the tyres in apache sucks be careful not to lean too much on those tyres or ur bike could turn into a junk…..apache has quality issues after few years the become useless ….a advice for u sell ur bike and buy a pulsar 180……………….:)
prashant on October 23, 2009 at 5:42 pm
i too purchased the same bike in the same color from the same dealer and the bike simply rocks…
Arun on October 23, 2009 at 6:52 pm
I have owned an Apache for over three years now and believe me, its a reliable and solid machine, even if its ridden hard, the engine never changes its behaviour. Done a total of over 40,000 kms and have never had to repair the engine. Its still gives the thrills… Recently managed to stay neck and neck with a pulsar 180 in a drag.. Try, just try riding an Apache on twisty smooth roads and I swear you will look at things a lot differently…
sharath on October 23, 2009 at 10:29 pm
congrats…. were u waiting like me…
sharath on October 23, 2009 at 10:40 pm
RTR(ready to sell) :
I totally diagree with ur not eyecatching comment on RTR….
as i said it is totally eyecatching and people dont stop staring at white RTR …may be R15 is one step ahead but not Pulsar…bcz it all over the place and it has become very common(not for p220) but white RTR is unique in colour and design…
-I agree with u that apaches tyre is not good and i have even experienced skidding once…and thanks for ur suggestion
prashant on October 24, 2009 at 10:11 pm
thanks bro..no… i got it immediately as i had specially come from belgaum for the bike… its a big hit here as it is the only white one in the entire city…
prashant on October 25, 2009 at 12:02 am
ashwa motors staff are helpful… especially satish and dinesh who incidentally are the part of ur photograph…
sharath on October 26, 2009 at 12:38 am
Even mine is only white bike in my collz….:P
Raghav on October 27, 2009 at 1:47 pm
pls tell me on road price of rtr 180 .
and is the white one costlier than the other colours ?
Sumant on November 1, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Im takin my first byk.plz advice wat to take.i lykd rtr 180,p220 n zmr.my priorities are mileage 40 atleast,reliable wil be using atleast 7-8 yrs,spares cheap,gud quality,hard byk if sumthyn happens n da byk’s met wid accident.minor damages i.e strong body.plz advice me.
Bhargav on November 3, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Hi,
I am planning to buy this bike. I just have a few queries before i go ahead.
1. How is the riding posture ? Is it good for a long drive /
2. Is the issue with tyres being not so great (and vibrations) substantial enough to influence the decision ?
Vikram on November 4, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Please help me guys. I am having great trouble choosing between the Apache RTR 180 and the Karizma ZMR. I am 6 feet tall and understand from several reviews of the Apache that it is cramped and is uncomfortable for people 5 feet 10 inches or greater in height. Mileage wise both these bikes are same but price wise ZMR is 30000 more expensive but that is not a concern at all considering the great reliability. Also are Apache’s tires very skiddy and not grippy? ZMR looks really good and is a very good bike though it can’t outrun the Pulsar 220 in performance. But still I am not able to overlook the Apache RTR 180. Need your help greatly.
sharath on November 4, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Hi! Sumanth for ur considerations Zmr and p220 doesnt fit in milage of 40,but it does fit in 7-8 years of usage and low maintainence and even strong body…..if extra money is not a problem then go for either p220 or ZMR…..
sharath on November 4, 2009 at 11:02 pm
1.Riding position adds sporty looks but not good for long rides,i went on long ride and had pains in wrist and shoulders…
2.The tires are not bad but they are not up to the mark of MRF and vibrations are there from 55-70 speed then no vibrations..
sharath on November 4, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Hi! vikram
Since ur tall and extra 30000 is not a problem then u can go for ZMR,it is latest bike and looks good for ur height and heard that its engine is really smooth than karizma R series….
prashant on November 4, 2009 at 11:21 pm
vikram, go 4 the apache… buying zmr is a waste of money… else u can even have a look at pulsar 220… i have a friend who is 6 feet and 1 inch and still uses the apache comfortably…
prashant on November 4, 2009 at 11:23 pm
the vibes have been reduced in the 180. posture is a bit of an issue when it comes to long drives. else, this bike is a gem.
prashant on November 4, 2009 at 11:26 pm
on road price bangalore 73500 and white is not costlier, but u have to wait to get 1 as it is in huge demand…
Vikram on November 5, 2009 at 11:47 am
Hey Prashant – Thanks much for your reply. Yes, the ZMR has no justification for its pricing. I was initially in deep love with the FZ series but dropped it because of its “no concern” for pillion comfort. My wife will be accompanying me mostly and she will be sitting one sided. ZMR was in my mind only due to its comfort during long rides as atleast twice in a week I would be taking it to distances in excess of 20 km with the pillion I already mentioned. I have already registered for a test drive of the Apache RTR 180 to experience and see if the ride is comfortable. Yes some people over 6 feet also have Apaches but I tend to get cramps when driving TVS vehicles especially when I have to plant my feet on the ground quite often like is the case in city traffic. Still I have never gotten my hands on an Apache. Pulsar – I never thought of because its an out and out performance bike as well as it didn’t impress me as much as the Apache or the Karizma. Do you have any other models too to suggest me buddy?
prashant on November 5, 2009 at 6:04 pm
well, apart from these two, i dont think u have any other option left as u r totally outlisted pulsar.. just wait and take a test drive of the apache and i’m sure u will like it.. FZ is good but as u said there is no pillion comfort especially 4 ladies… go ahead and take a test drive of apache…
Vikram on November 6, 2009 at 12:09 pm
@Prashant
Actually I am not against the Pulsar 220 at all. Being the fastest Indian bike it definitely is very special. But that exactly is my problem. Its fun to ride but the pillions get scared like hell, especially if they sit one sided. Adrenaline rush is good for the driver but this beast of a bike really has massive acceleration right from the start that really scares pillions. Anyway if possible I will test drive that too with the pillion and check out if she is OK with it. But all that will happen only if I don’t fall in love with the Apache RTR 180 which is unlikely. I am mainly looking to get a feel of how grippy the tyres are and how comfortable are its ergonomics.
prashant on November 6, 2009 at 7:15 pm
even apache has an awesome pickup… let ur wife make a choice as u r giving more preference to her comfort… i heard that apache’s tyres are not upto the mark, but i havent faced any problem as such… as far as ergonomics go, tvs say they have done their homework for racing ergonomics.. see if u and ur wife r comfortable…
Vikram on November 20, 2009 at 3:09 pm
One last question guys, about the apache. I heard in the showroom that the 180 doesn’t come in Gray color. But the TVS website lists Gray as one of the color variants. Any of you have any idea. As of now I am going for the white. Man, it looks awesome.
prashant on November 23, 2009 at 12:05 am
its available in grey.. its not available in red… go ahead with the white….
Vikram on December 7, 2009 at 2:41 pm
I have booked the white variant of this bike. I will have it this Friday. Thanks much folks for helping me make a choice.
sharath on December 7, 2009 at 7:30 pm
cangrats .. Vikram…enjoy Ur ride and have a safe driving…..
Dini on December 12, 2009 at 4:17 am
I have recently purhcased RTR 180 .It simply rocks but there are vibration between 50-70kmph.Please let me know if there is any solution for this problem.
prashant on December 15, 2009 at 11:22 pm
@dini
There is no solution 4 this problem…
alex on December 24, 2009 at 4:56 pm
tvs apache rtr 180 rocks,its lovely in dark silver ,the bestest bike hever had ,mashing and hasing bike is rtr180 love u tvs apache rtr180 n tvs company its the most tough bike i had ever lovely it has got lovely handle bar lovely body lovely disk brakes lovely viger lovely rear carriage like bulls horn lovely wheels almost all lovely n its hunky .
alex on December 24, 2009 at 5:00 pm
tvs apache rtr 180 its lovely than all other bike likke pulsar 220 and 180,karizma ,r15,apache rtr 180 is above all and distincly a head.
alex on December 24, 2009 at 5:05 pm
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sharath on December 26, 2009 at 8:38 am
@ alex
- Its true alex tvs has done a great job on RTR 180 and there will be more good bikes in future…….
Vikram Mahadev on December 29, 2009 at 11:17 pm
I don’t seem to be experiencing much vibrations like many people complain in here. Since mine is yet to complete the first service I don’t go past the 52 kmph. This is the speed at which many people seem to be starting to experience vibrations. Is it because I am 6 feet tall and 80 kgs heavy the vibrations get suppressed or something like that. Or probably not all people experience vibrations.
Vikram on December 31, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Guys another question for you. This is about the self start. Is it better to use the kick start instead? Some of my friends are advicing me to use the kick start as much as possible. I understand that this makes no sense as then there would be no point in having a self start. But I am just looking for general advice on things like below:
(1) When starting the bike after a week’s gap or so is it better to use the kick start?
(2) During cold starts when applying choke should I avoid self start and kick start the engine rather?
(3) Are there any other guidelines in this area.
Srinivas on January 17, 2010 at 1:47 am
Hi… vikram…
My bike is Pulsar 150 DTs-i but i can give u some advice..
after a week’s gap.. it is better to go for kick starting…
By Self starting it directly influences on your battery and decreases its life because while running the bat gets charged , when bike is not used for long time the charge gets down……
whenever u try to press continuously self start button for starting the bike in case of water servicing or after rain or in cold conditions(continuously hitting self switch)
, in low fuel conditins..it influences on ingition unit and it decreases its life and sometimes it may ruin off costing around 700 also it influences on self motor..
So better go for Kick starting for the following
—-In mornings…
—-In rainy conditions…(imp)
—-After a long gap…
—-While using choke..
—-After getting water service(imp)
I hope these are useful..
Post ur comment….
Vikram on January 17, 2010 at 9:31 pm
@Srinivas
Thanks a lot buddy. That was really valuable info for me. Ever since I posted the question I have been checking almost everyday to see if someone answered my question. Thank you so much. Infact I use the self start only when in tight traffic signals where I switch off the bike to save fuel and then I won’t have the leg room to kick start the eigine or if the bike engine goes off sometimes in traffic. Otherwise I use the kick start only. But I am just wondering how people that own bikes with only the self start be able to overcome the above issues that you have mentioned. Infact I posted the above question only when a friend of mine that owns a Bajaj Avenger told me that his bike doesn’t have the kick start. The Yamaha FZ series doesn’t have the kick start either. I am just wondering what would those people be doing.
Srinivas on January 19, 2010 at 7:14 am
Hi…. Vikram….
The Bike without a “kick starter” would become a real Headache on one day that make the owners in that instant to lose their patience and hold their heads…
I can bet for that..
For ex if u go to a beach and accidentally or intentionally if bike was rushed with water then comes the real headache.. it would be impossible to start bike with self start… even though they managed to continuosly hit the self start switch if the battery is low or some what low…. the self start will not respond to start the bike….
Then solution is…. Friend dont laugh..
Put the bike in 1st gear or 2 and hold clutch….
drag the vehicle (run with bike) like a “LUNA” or TVS 50 and release the clutch.. if u have the GOD’s grace the bike “MAY” start or the same thing should be repeated…
The condition arises when…
—–During water servicing
—–Above (Beach) condition..
—–During Low bat conditions(Real Headache)
In this condition when u Drag ur bike you will get ashamed.. not joking…
—–when self motor ruins..(Definitely happens after certain period b’coz its only source for starting the bike…)
—–After a long gap of using bike the bat may get down abruptly and the self start may not respond..
Even though it responds the bike may not start instantaneously because of clogging of fuel in carburettor… so by hitting the self switch a number of times… the bat gets exhausted….
Here Same solution DRAGGING……
Also the self motor gets ruined slowly by warning us by making some grizzly sounds During rainy season….
Hey Friend Dont think that i’m appreciating Bajaj Pulsar….
Pulsar 200 or 220 has the option to have kick starter…
So i think avenger can also have the option…..
So i advice if any one wants to go for that Bikes also go for getting kick starter…in this aspects we can trust bajaj..
But FZ and R15 series of yamaha may not have this option… the solution is periodically getting serviced without fail…
But above mentioned aspects cant save them….
Sameer on March 2, 2010 at 1:47 am
I own a Unicorn. Was planning to buy RTR180 but was not pleased with the engine. Its just raw power with lots of noise. I dont think after owning a Unicorn u could compromise for RTR unless u have tight pocket. But still i believe RTR is value for money.
sharathh on March 2, 2010 at 12:43 pm
@ sameer i agree with u that Unicorn is smooth & has a well refined engine & i was impressed by its performance…but every bike has its own pros and cons….RTR has a different engine sound and performance so it falls under “RACING” category and UNICORN falls under “COMMUTER” category….Its individuals decision to opt for “Racing” or “commuter”……..
sats on June 6, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Hi every one. I am planning to buy rtr 180.I have come to know that TVS will launch the ABS soon.do u guys know about the launch date? & is the vibration realy matters? in rainy days, is it safe for ridding (for tyrs)?Actually I am going to buy my first bike.SO plz need best advices……
sharath on June 7, 2010 at 11:50 pm
@ sats RTR with ABS will launch soon but dont know exact date….since using it for 6 months vibs go unnoticed since i got used to it…In rainy days the stock tyres are worst no road grip and skids a lot on wet surfaces but really good brakes..
sats on June 9, 2010 at 7:57 am
oh thanx for ur advices…this mnth I will definitely buy it…by da way Is it posible to replace the tyres from tvs to mrf?
sharath on June 9, 2010 at 9:47 pm
@ sats yes it is possible but only R15 has tubeless MRF tyres with both Disc brakes
bharath.p on June 12, 2010 at 12:15 pm
hey guys i am planin to buy a apache rtr 180 …since i herd tat they gonna release the abs version of it …i want to noe tat is ther any option tat 1 can switch off he abs when needed ….and can u tell me which month it may come out
ramesh on June 16, 2010 at 4:17 pm
hi guys…i feel very bad …3 hours ago i booked a apache 180 rtr bike…coz i liked this stunning pearl white n other features…thing is ..in ma office..they asked which bike n color..i told apache in white color…every body in ma office astonished as if white color nt at all looking good….one of my friend told what man u chose traffic police bike…not at all looking good try titanium grey ..that will be looking good…almost all suggesting change the color of ur bike since am living in chennai…this idiotic traffic police also having white apache…i got upset…please tell me …shall i phone a dealer n ask him to change a color of my bike…even i tried convinced the fellow in ma office by showing pictures of apache in white…they r telling same …i really disturbed a lot..this is my first bike…im fond of bikes…i used to think..my bike should give different look n all ..n i selected this white color…now issue is now color only…im afraid people will laugh at ma bike…am eagerly waiting for ur reply….tell me what i should no…shall i change the color…
sharath on June 17, 2010 at 1:15 am
@ ramesh i stay in bangalore and people around me make me proud of my white RTR and even here police has white pulsar and few white apache but not white RTR(racing bikes not meant for police).Police has normal white colour bike but not “Pearl white” so think in calm mind and decide and consider ur environment also….
ramesh on June 18, 2010 at 10:28 am
@sharath
thanks for ur reply….i dont knw the environment in bang…but in chennai u cant find white color bike other than police…thats y people r tellin me to change color….nowadays i cud see few white apache on road…but its very rare….usually im expectin my bike should give different look than others…many people are having grey n yellow…so i dont like to take that color bike….if i go for 180 then i must take pearl white which is the only model in apache…for other colors..no need to go for 180 since its available in 160 itself with good mileage….thats y i chose pearl white…but people around me telling differently…thats y i got disturbed…i dint phone a dealer yet since am in confused mode…lets c