The newly launched TVS Apache RTR 200 4V is expected to sell 7000 units a month while the Apache 160 and 180 registered a joint sale of 20,599 units in December.
TVS has recently launched the Apache RTR 200 4V, priced from Rs. 88,990/- (ex-showroom, Delhi) along with the new Victor. The new and more powerful variant of India’s best-selling performance motorcycle was much awaited by enthusiasts and general public as well. The Indian automaker expects the new offering to perform just like the younger siblings on the sales chart, it is expecting to sell 7000 units a month which does not seem to be a difficult task after looking at the 20,599 units of Apache 160 and 180 sold in December.
The TVS Apache RTR 200 4V is launched in two variants one with Fuel Injection and the other one is carbureted. However, both the variants have a drawback with respect to the numbers which are much lesser than the competition but how big a role do the numbers play is something we will find out soon. The lower output numbers compared to competition might make it difficult for the company to attain the target of selling of 7000 units a month. However, the fresh styling and the goodwill of the previous generation models may prove to be a boon for the new motorcycle.
The 4V in the name of the new TVS Apache RTR 200 stands for 4-valves used in the 197.7cc, single-cylinder engine to produce 20.5 PS (21 PS for he FI) at 8500 RPM and 18.1 Nm of torque at 7000 RPM. The company claims 0-60 km/hr in 3.92 seconds, 0-100 km/hr in 12 seconds and a top speed of 129 km/hr but a rider in Indonesia has managed to hit 144 km/hr on the speedometer on the Sentul International Circuit. He was riding the fuel-injected model with Pirelli rubber.
Now why is there such a difference? There can be multiple reasons. The claimed top speed is 129 km/hr which is likely to be the real speed and not the speed shown on the speedometer as there is always some speedo error, more on smaller bikes due to cost reasons. Bajaj Auto claims a top speed of 136 km/hr on the Pulsar 200 NS but the motorcycle managed to do 150 km/hr on the meter. Others reasons could include a sloping road or a lighter rider but we shall reserve our comments till we slap on our VBOX on the Apache 200.
The TVS Apache RTR 200 is based on the Draken concept showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo which has helped a bit on the design front. The new street-fighter gets a digital instrument console and looks sporty and aggressive with the sharp designing on the front and the minimal tail piece at the rear. It gets front telescopic forks and a gas filled monoshock at the rear while it gets 270 mm and 200 mm petal disc brakes on the front and rear wheel respectively. The company has launched the motorcycle in 8 variants but only 4 are on sale currently as ABS (dual-channel) will be available from March. The Apache 200 isn’t available pan India yet and the variants are as follows –
- Carb + TVS tyres
- Carb + Pirelli tyres
- Carb + TVS tyres + ABS
- Carb + Pirelli tyres + ABS
- FI + TVS tyres
- FI + Pirelli tyres
- FI + TVS tyres + ABS
- FI + Pirelli tyres + ABS
