TVS Apache RTR 160: Is it still relevant?

The TVS Apache RTR 160 is not just a model name, it's a living legend. Back in the day in the mid 2000s when this motorcycle was launched, it was so advanced and so ahead of its time that it was an instant hit both on the racetrack as well as in terms of sales numbers for TVS. This motorcycle brought to the masses premium segment firsts like a short stroke engine, clip on handlebars, fuel injection,. ABS, petal discs, rear disc brakes, LED DRLs, a 0-60 kph timer and even a top speed recorder to what used to be a boring commuter class of 150cc motorcycles. TVS still sells the RTR 160 with pretty much all these features unchanged even today. However, today, after over 15 years of its launch, is the Apache RTR 160 still relevant or is it getting a bit too long in the tooth? Let's ride. 

In terms of styling, this Apache is unchanged since the last one decade or so. It still has a bikini fairing, led DRLs, halogen headlight, led tail lamp, clip on handlebars, a single seat, tank extensions and swingarm mounted dual rear shock absorbers. It is a design that has aged quite well. The cockpit view is my favourite: classic and racy. You get a large analogue tachometer and a digital read out for speed and a long list of other segment features mentioned above. The riding position itself is slightly forward leaning while the footpegs are neutrally but highly set. It's not a very comfortable riding position if you're tall or have long limbs. For someone like me, 5'7" endomorph with short limbs, this bike fits quite well and the sitting position feels very natural. Similar story continues for the pillion as well. The pegs are set quite high up and tall pilions would not be very comfortable sitting knees up on this bike. Shorter ones though would love the length and cushioning of this seat. I especially like the way the seat looks. The red stitching all around and the alcantara leather like texture on the pillion seat give it a premium yet functional feel. All in all, I quite love the way the RTR 160 looks. Even today.

RTR stands for racing throttle response. It seems as though when TVS was developing this engine, this throttle response was the only driving philosophy behind it. This imperfectly perfect motor aces it when it comes to throttle response. Get to a rolling start and then, the slightest of twist of your right wrist and you're off. You really have to experience it to believe it. Also, this engine is time tested and extremely reliable. Like all good things, this engine too doesn't come without its flaws and there has always been only one chink in the armour for this Apache: vibrations. Though in the BS6 avatar, the vibrations are very much controlled but they still exist. It starts off as a buzz post 6000 RPM and progressively keep increasing till its redline. For many Apache fanboys this would pass off as character vibes. To me however, they serve two very different but important purposes: One is that the vibes make you feel you're going faster than you actually are. A good safety feature to have. Secondly, they make you upshift earlier so you tend to redline less often, thus enhancing both engine life as well as fuel efficiency. Brilliant, isn't it? Jokes apart, this is a brilliant engine for what it is and if you can look beyond the vibes, that racing throttle response will keep you engaged and grinning all day long, in the city at least.

Talking about the city, this Apache is an excellent traffic carver. The short wheelbase makes it nimble to flick, the clip on handlebars give you excellent control and the narrow overall profile of the bike means you can navigate your way through gaps between cars waiting at a signal with relative ease. And then once it starts going, you have that throttle response to dash your way ahead of the commuter lot. The clutch pull is light and gears slot in place well making riding in slow moving stop-go traffic less stressful. Moreover, the fuel injected motor with what TVS calls glide through technology, is quite tourquey lower down as you let go of the clutch. The ECU matches the revs with the stress on the engine and gives it extra fuel when it needs to. It is so well executed that you can pick the bike up from a near standstill speed in second gear without noticing it. The ride quality at both ends is pliant too. The front telescopic forks and the gas charged rears do a good job of protecting your back, wrist, shoulders and neck from the atrocities of our pothole ridden roads. 

So the Apache is a great Monday to Friday commuter. What about the weekends? Can it hold highway speeds? More importantly, is it fun on the twisties? If you can ignore the vibes, the Apache should be able to hold a 90-100 kph comfortably on the open roads. Once you reach the ghats, it will surprise you once again. Now good ride quality usually comes with a compromise in handling. However, there are few manufacturers who can find that perfect balance between ride and handling and I'm happy to inform that TVS is definitely one of them. The Apache is happy to tip into a corner, out of it and immediately into the next one without much fuss. What also inspires confidence on the open roads is the excellent brake set up. The Apache comes in two variants: one with a front disc and rear drum and one with discs at both ends. I would strongly suggest to go for the latter. Yes, we do get only a single channel ABS but it's better than none. The bite from the brakes is sharp, feel is progressive and they make the Apache go from a rottweiler to a labrador in a split second. That gives you immense confidence in pushing the bike harder. Sure, the bikini fairing does little to protect you from wind blast but at that cruising speed, there is very little wind blast hitting you anyway.

There really is very little to complain about the Apache RTR 160 until you start looking at the competition at this price point. Say for example, TVS' very own: the Apache RTR 160 4v. For just about Rs. 5000 more, you get a lot more power, an extremely refined motor, a wider rear tyre and a superior Showa monoshock. You get a more modern looking motorcycle with led headlamps, fully digital instrument cluster, offset fuel filler cap, wave design key and a batman styled pillion grab rail.  That's a whole lot of value, isn't it? If you don't like the raciness of the Apaches, there are more options available from Hero, Yamaha and Honda as well at that price point, all of which offer at least LED headlamps, fully digital instrument clusters and monoshocks.

That brings us to the question we started with: is the RTR 160 still relevant in 2021? If you ask your head this question, the answer would be a straightforward no. The specs just don't match up. However, if you love the feel of metal in this plasticy world, RPM needles in this dot matrix world, if you prefer Mortal Kombat over PUBG, David Guetta over DJ Snake and Dhoom 1 over Dhoom 3, you would love the pure, raw feel of the RTR 160. There are performance legends in the Indian motorcycling world: The RD 350's, the Rx 100's, the Shoguns, the KB's and the Fieros, all of which we can no longer buy brand new today. For that, I am thankful to TVS for not pulling the plug on the RTR 160 when they launched the 4v. For keeping the motorcycle as it is. For retaining even some of its rough edges, its character. In this plastic, digital and connected world, for the purist, thrill seeking rider who still prefers living in the real world, this legend lives on. Thank you TVS!