TVS Apache
2012 Apache RTR 180
ManufacturerTVS Motor Company
Production2006–present
ClassStandard, Sport bike
Engine150 cm³, 159.7 cm³, 177.4 cm³, 197.75 cm³, 312.2 cm³, Single Cylinder, SI, 4-stroke, 2 valves, 4 valves, Air-cooled, Oil-cooled, Liquid Cooled

The TVS Apache (/əˈpætʃi/ ə-PATCH-ee) is a brand of motorcycle made by TVS Motors since 2006. As of 2020, more than 4 million Apaches are on the road.[1] Currently the company sells six variants of the TVS Apache. The differences between each variant being the engine displacement, the options on offer and performance characteristics. The abbreviation 'RTR' in the names of the motorcycles refer to 'Racing Throttle Response'.[2]

History

TVS which partnered with Suzuki for 19 years had brought out several two-stroke motorcycles in India. When the emission norms in the country changed, a need for more fuel efficient and less polluting four-stroke motorcycles suddenly came into being. However Suzuki at the time was globally known to produce two-stroke motorcycles and did not have strong R&D in the four-stroke department. All this led to the late introduction of the TVS-Suzuki Fiero in 2000 which was specifically developed for the Indian market.[3][4]

At the time there was also an upcoming market for the low displacement performance motorcycles in India which can be related to the success of the Hero Honda CBZ.[5] The Suzuki Fiero being a relatively powerful motorcycle in the segment, was well received.[6] After the separation of TVS and Suzuki in 2001, TVS continued the production of the Fiero and its iterations under the name TVS Fiero, TVS Fiero FX[7][8]

In 2005, to enter the 150 cm3 engine displacement category of performance motorcycles which was then dominated by the Bajaj Pulsar, TVS introduced the TVS Apache 150 IE-Surge,[9] the first of the TVS Apache series of Motorcycles. It was a product of TVS' own R&D which included many changes on their existing Fiero 147 cm3 Engine and as a result had an increased power output of 13.5 bhp from 12 bhp and better efficiency. There were also major improvements in design, suspension, brakes, frame and styling. The company claimed that the Apache had the highest power to weight ratio in its class and was the quickest for that reason.[9]

The successors and current variants of the TVS Apache have engines based on the same platform but have significant design improvements such as an oversquare engine,[10] 4- valves,[11] balance shaft;[12] technical advancements such as oil cooling,[12] ram-air assist cooling[13] (not to be confused with ram-air intake), fuel injection[11][13] and performance improvements.[14] However the TVS Apache RR 310 and TVS Apache RTR 310 are an exception and are based on the same engine and technology of BMW G310R.[15]

In February 2019, an ABS equipped variant of the Apache RTR 160 4V was announced and on February 28, the ABS equipped version of the older Apache RTR 160 was launched.[16] In January 2020, a revision of the TVS Apache RR 310 was launched in India powered by a BSVI-compliant Engine.[17]

Models

2019 TVS Apache RR 310
TVS Apache RTR 200 4v 2016
2016 TVS Apache RTR 200 4V
2008 TVS Apache RTR 160
All TVS Apache models
Variant Engine

capacity (cc)

 Power (HP) Torque (Nm) Max speed

(km/h)

 Ref(s)
Apache 150 IE-Surge 147.5 13.5 12.3 112 [9]
Apache RTR 160cc (ABS variant) 159.7 15.12 13.03 118 [18]
Apache RTR 160 4V 159.7 15.52 13.9 113 [19]
Apache RTR 160 4V EFI (ABS variant) 159.7 15.52 13.9 114
Apache RTR 165RP 164.9 18.9 14.2 123 [20]
Apache RTR 180177.4 16.78 15.5 124 [21][22]
Apache RTR 180 ABS
Apache RTR 200 4V 197.5 20.5 18.1 127 [23][24]
Apache RTR 200 4V Race Edition 2.0

(ABS and non ABS versions available, carburetor version was available in BS IV)

Apache RTR 200 FI E100 (Ethanol powered) 21 129 [25]
Apache RTR 200 BS6 (ABS, Riding modes, Preload adjustable front & rear suspension) 20.6 (Sport), 17.5 (Urban, Rain) 17.1 (Sport), 16.5 (Urban, Rain) 141 [26]
Apache RR 310 312.2 34 27.3 165 [27]
Apache RTR 310 312.12 35.08 28.7 150 [28]
Apache RTR 180 ABS 2011 model
2011 TVS Apache RTR 180 ABS
  •   Discontinued

Design and styling

The Apache was the first bike in India with a petal disc brake, which offers better heat dispersion thereby allowing fewer brake fades. The same bike introduced ABS in a 2 wheeler for the first time in India.[18][29]

Comfort and handling

According to a 2007 review, since the bike was optimized for handling, the ride quality was on the stiff side.[18] Previous versions of Apache had a wheelbase of 1,260 mm (50 inches) which resulted in better turning in at the expense of stability. TVS increased the wheelbase by 40 mm (1.6 inches) to improve the stability. The Apache 180 introduced ABS to the lineup in 2011.[30]

In 2020, BS6 compliant engines were released in all their line up which saw significant improvements in RTR 200 4V and RR 310 models in terms of riding, handling and integrated tech.

Awards

TVS Apache RTR 180 won Performance Bike Of The Year (2009) from Business Standard Motoring Awards.[31] The TVS Apache RTR 200 4V has been awarded the NDTV Motorcycle of the Year up to 250cc for 2017.

References

  1. ↑ "TVS Motors' Apache crosses 40 lakh global sales milestone". The Economic Times. 12 October 2020.
  2. ↑ "Team TVS Racing : On a fast track to product development". The Financial Express (India). August 22, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  3. ↑ "TVS-SUZUKI : The Third Coming". Business Today (India). December 6, 2000. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  4. ↑ "TVS Suzuki hits the road with 4-stroke Fiero". Business Line. January 7, 2000. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  5. ↑ "5 Motorcycles which revolutionized the Indian sport bikes market". India TV. November 18, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Suzuki Fiero sales cross the 50,000 mark". February 2, 2001. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  7. ↑ "TVS Launches Fiero FX". The Financial Express (India). March 23, 2004. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  8. ↑ "TVS launches upgraded Fiero FX". The Times of India. Mar 22, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 "TVS APACHE, the all new 150 cc bike makes a debut". TVS Motor Company. December 19, 2005. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  10. ↑ "TVS launch new Apache RTR 200, Victor". Bike India. January 20, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  11. 1 2 "2018 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V review, test ride". Autocar. March 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  12. 1 2 "2016 TVS Apache RTR 200 review, test ride". Autocar magazine. January 20, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  13. 1 2 "2016 TVS Apache RTR 200 4V first ride review". Overdrive. January 25, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  14. ↑ "2018 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V vs rivals: Specifications comparison". Autocar magazine. March 15, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  15. ↑ "BMW G310R and TVS Apache RR 310: What's different?". Overdrive. December 7, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  16. ↑ Vijay, Vibin P. (2019-02-28). "TVS Apache RTR 160 ABS Launched In India At Rs. 84,710". Gaadiwaadi.com - Car News, Bike News, Reviews. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
  17. ↑ "2020 TVS Apache RR 310 BS-6 launched at Rs 2.40 lakh". Ask Me Auto. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
  18. 1 2 3 "TVS Apache RTR 160". Bike India. 15 August 2007. Archived from the original on 2010-02-23.
  19. ↑ "TVS Motor Company launches the new 2018 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V". Overdrive. March 14, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  20. ↑ "TVS Apache RTR 165RP First Ride Review". TopGear.
  21. ↑ "TVS Apache RTR 180 launched and first ride review". Autocar. June 15, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  22. ↑ TVS Apache ABS, Bike India, 5 January 2011, retrieved 2011-09-29
  23. ↑ "TVS Apache RTR 200 4V released, First ride review". Overdrive. January 25, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  24. ↑ "TVS Apache RTR 200 to be launched in India on January 20". Overdrive. January 8, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  25. ↑ "TVS Apache RTR 200 Fi E100 Presenting India's First Ever Ethanol powered motorcycle". www.tvsapache.com. Retrieved 2019-08-01.
  26. ↑ "New TVS Apache RTR 200 4V: Top 5 Highlights - BikeWale". www.bikewale.com. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  27. ↑ "2018 TVS Apache RR 310 launched at Rs 2.05 lakh". Autocar India. Retrieved 2019-01-17.
  28. ↑ "New TVS Apache RTR 310 Price, Features, Colours & Specifications". www.tvsmotor.com. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  29. ↑ "TVS APACHE RTR EFi vs BAJAJ PULASAR 200 DTS Fi (page 1)". 25 December 2007. Archived from the original on December 22, 2008.
  30. ↑ "TVS Motor launches Apache RTR 180 with ABS". The Hindu. March 12, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  31. ↑ "BSM Bike Of The Year 2008". overdrive.in. 29 December 2007. Archived from the original on September 14, 2008.

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