TVS Apache 160 RTR Ownership Review by Yusuf

It was 02nd November 2007 when I got engaged to Munira (now my wife), I used to stay with my roommates in Pune, and it’s a well known fact that if you are in Pune you got to have a bike, especially when you are engaged. Back at that time I used to ride a Bajaj Boxer CT (I had borrowed it from my roommate as he recently bought a new Pulsar 150). I really loved that bike (I still do) for its mileage and the very little maintenance requirements.

It had been almost six month after my engagement when I decided to buy my own bike. We started looking around for the latest bike on the roads, although I was already a fan of Apace 150 (Esurge), but my fiancé loved the Pulsar 150. I had tested the Apache 160 RTR long back when it had just launched, I loved that bike, the ride was really something different from the other bikes available at that time.

And being an Automobile Engineer I could make out the amazing the handling capabilities and the power the bike had to offer, and with the large petal shaped front disc brake it could easily stand out from the crowd. But I couldn’t buy it at that time.

April, 2008 when I started looking for a bike, a few things in my mind were clear; I am not buying a Pulsar (too many of them on the roads) or a Yamaha (can’t still rely on its engine). The picks that I had were the Honda Unicorn or the Apache. The new Honda Unicorn looked pretty much the same as its ancestors only this one had a disc brake and the waiting period was too long.

So it was obvious and I booked the Apache 160 RTR, believe me when I booked the bike it was done only on phone, since I wanted to buy it from my home town Karjat I called up my Dad and asked him to book the bike, TVS Apache RTR 160, Matt Grey color. That’s it. No test drive, no EMI calculation no worries about the performance or services.

Later in about a week’s time the bike was delivered at my home town all the money transaction was done, and that’s it, I was a proud owner of Apache 160 RTR. My first bike that I bought of my own earnings.

The first time I rode the bike it was just the feeling I had when I had first started riding bikes, I could feel butterflies in my stomach.

The apache RTR 160, with 15.2 bhp, 270-mm petal shaped front disc brake, with a small engine with an all black treatment along with the alloy wheels and exhaust just looks awesome (reminds me of Street Hawk). The stripe runs from the front mudguard to the tank and all the way back to the tail piece is striking. A small engine guard is nestled at the bottom of the engine. The side panels have a matt black plastic finish.

The bike also has a digital speedometer with an orange back light (Frankly I prefer it over the blue light in the new Apache RTR 180). The dash looks very sporty with a standard tachometer, clock, trip meter, fuel gauge and odometer, especially at night when the lights are turned ON. All the gauges illuminate in a very fancy yet sporty fashion. A split grab rail, clip on adjustable handlebars, aluminum finished brake levers and the toe operated gear shifter and the and the TVS racing logo right below the dash add up to the racing experience. The wheelbase has been stretched to 1300 mm from the earlier 1260 mm. Even the fuel cap is of aircraft-style. This bike surely is a head turner.

Apache RTR 160 has rear set foot pegs. The low handle bars translate into a very comfortable riding position. It is a great bike to zip through the busy city traffic without any discomfort. The handling of the bike gives an amazing feeling with all the improved features. I can say one thing the Apache 160 RTR satisfies all the requirements of good riding and is an ideal match of power, performance and mileage.

After three years of riding the Apache RTR 160 I can say one thing for sure. I love my Bike.

– Yusuf