Myself Vaibhav Chauhan, a student of DTU (formerly DCE), pursuing B.tech(IT). TVS Apache RTR 160 Hyperedge (with Rear Disc), with such a long name, some people won’t even think about buying this thing.
This is a no nonsense review (I know you are not interested in knowing what “inspired” me, how I made my dad agree blah blah blah). Sooner or later everybody, almost everybody needs a ride, this is mine. Here is what I think about it after 1 year 3 months of ownership.
Looks
Looks are matter of personal opinion, but I really like the way it looks, much different from others and distinct.
Ergonomics
The Good
The riding stance is Sporty, low set clip on handle bars, rear set foot pegs and a lean to reach for the handle bar makes up a nice sporty riding position, which in turn helps greatly in cornering and makes the RTR 160 super agile in traffic. The rider seat is long enough to help everyone find their sweet spot.
The Bad
This is n’t a bike everyone can live with easily, tall people might face back problems, people with back problems won’t be comfortable at all! Its far from comfortable to be a daily commuter, if you have a knowledge/desire of a sporty stance then only you will like the riding posture.
Handling
The Good
This is where Apache truly excels, its probably the strongest point of entire package. Handling, whether in traffic or on open roads, is a bliss. Short wheelbase makes it easy to ride in traffic and tight situations. Cornering junkies will love the great riding posture and the ease of attacking and holding the line through the corners.
Every corners is fun, stiff suspension (adjustable 5 way), amazing riding stance and RTR make your every penny spent on this bike come to life. The flickability combined with good acceleration makes overtaking a piece of cake!
The Bad
Sorry, there are no bads! (Well maybe someday trying to push the limits, I will end up in a Low side)
Suspension
The Good
Suspension is 5-way adjustable gas filled shockers. It’s very good for hooliganistic riding, cornering and heavy accelration. I mostly drive on very good roads so no complaints.
The Bad
The suspension is not built for comfort, although it does the job pretty well, but the extra stiffness than other bikes shows the difference when you ride another bike. There is a lot of up and down in bumps.
Engine and Transmission
The Good
It has a 160cc over squared 4-stroke engine, and a 5-speed transmission. The over squared engine is vey rev happy and reaches 9k rpm with ease, combine this with short gearing and you have a ruthless acceleration at all times. Gear box might not be the smoothest but its free of false gears and neutrals. And yes, it goes to neutral everytime you want it to. (Unlike Pulsars)
The Bad
Vibrations, yes, they are here, specifically in 4k-5k rpm range, but once you get used to it, then you won’t feel it, although sometimes the vibrations in the handlebar on a hot day are irritating. Gearbox is not the smooth type, you have to hit it more as compared to other bikes, but then its also a matter of getting used to.
Build Quality
Build quality is quite good and great amount of small detailing has been done to make the bike look and perform better. Its a visual treat to see forget aluminium clutch and brake levers. Rear brake lever is beautiful too. A small engine fairing completes the overall look of the bike and gives a premium feel. A light kerb weight of 136kgs makes this machine more agile and nimble.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency is quite decent for the way you will ride RTR 160. It easily manages 36-42 depending on the way I ride.
Tyres
Mostly Bad
Tyres? What? Why?
Tyres are TVS’ own Eurogrips, they are hard, probably the hardest among indian bikes.
Tyres play a big spoil sport in dust (ok, every bike suffers in dust), wet or muddy surfaces!
These tyres provide a good grip on dry tarmac but just show them a drop of water and all the wanna do is go drift/skid.
Combine this a strong rear disc brake, rear tyre locks up in a split second! And I have had quite a few close shaves! But seriously, if your area has a lot of rain/mud then please dont buy this, if you want Apache only, go for 180 with ABS.
Brakes
Good, may be Great
I almost forgot the best part, probably better than the handling even, I simple love the brakes. The huge and beautiful front petal disc brake, 270mm, has got all the stopping power you will ever need, and a strong rear disc makes the package simply the best you can find!
The Bad
I really hate this part, the discs have a very unusual problem, common to all Apaches, dont know why but they always make a screeching noise, service center people claim that its dust/sand particles that get stuck between the brake shoes and disc, it seems to go away when you wash the disc with high pressure water, but return in a couple of days.
RTR
RTR lives up to its name, racing throttle response, its something you can feel, slightest twist of throttle in any gear at any rpm and bike jumps forward.
Console
The speedometer is digital with an analouge rpm meter. The console has many useful features like clock, 2 trip meters, highest speed recorder and a 0-60 time recorder. The clock is specially very useful.
General
The highest speed I have achieved is 106 but it was with a pillion and in strong crosswinds. Alone I think she can manage 115 easily. I have not required any maintenance except for regular services till now, but I can easily say spare parts are NOT easily available is most places.
Pillion rider affects the acceleration, there is slight but noticeable decrease. Headlamp is a bit of disappointment with a lot of beam being reflected straight up the sky. Sometimes you wish headlight was on DC setup too.
TVS says this bike is sound engineered, that is makes a trademark sound, which is evident, 160’s exhaust note might not be as meaty as RTR 180 but its the second best, and the small misfire like sounds that it makes is simple music, I just can’t have enough of that!
Headlamp is a bit of disappointment with a lot of beam being reflected straight up the sky.
Rear view mirrors deserve a special mention because of excellent usability. They are the best in business. O yeah, I forgot to mention, RTR 160 gives you every right to mess with Pulsar 180s should you want to.
Overall
I love my bike, its just perfect for me and my style of riding and use. Everything I want to do, the bike just agrees, never hesitates! Every ride is more fun than the previous, every turn is more exciting than the last and everyday is more welcoming than yesterday.
Regards,
Vaibhav Chauhan
