TVS Apache 200 Long Term Review
Long Term Test No. 107
Bike Tested: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V (Carb)
Kms Done: 2131 kms
Test Started at: 6166 kms
Test Concluded at: 8297 kms
Mileage: 30 km/l (Combined), 27 km/l (City), 32 km/l (Highway)
Liters: 71 liters
Fuel Cost: Rs. 4262/-
Rs. per km: Rs. 2.00/-
The TVS Apache 200 is a fun bike due to its race inspired engine and chassis
My relation with the TVS Apache has been unique as the RTR 180 ABS was the first motorcycle I ever owned. I had sold my 180 last year just after the first ride of the Apache 200 at Hosur. This January 2017, the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V joined our long term fleet. This was the same carb version which I had tested in Hosur last year and was delighted to have it with me as my day to day motorcycle. Sadly the bike was called back within two months due to BS3 and company audits but the experience for the time spent was pretty good.
The design is bulky and yet it has sharp edges
Attention seeker, these two words are meant for the Apache 200. And as our bike was in matte white colour, it grabbed a lot of head turns. People used to stare at the motorcycle at traffic signals and sometimes even ask any random stuff. The extended tank shroud with the muscular feel and edgy design at the end gave it a macho look. People would always appreciate the tank and the headlamp. The beast inspired pilot lamps also added in grabbing all the attention. Talk a bit more about attention, the sound from the double-barrel exhaust was the best and I would always try to rev bomb under a tunnel or even a small bridge with an echo.
The Apache 200 is sleek, the beast inspired headlamps are the best
The Apache 180 had a lot of vibrations and even after using different kind of oils, the refinement couldn’t match the competition. However, the case with the flagship TVS was completely different. The motorbike did vibrate only when pushed hard and on higher revs. The amount of refinement and smoothness under 7000 RPM was the reason the Apache 200 was picked for quite a few rides by us. The engine never stressed out even though it felt out of breath while hitting its top speed during our rides. There was an oil change interval in between and post that the engine felt even smoother.
Upright and comfortable ergonomics for city riding
The seating posture and the dynamics were game on. Neither too upright nor too leaned in. This posture was comfortable for a guy like me whose height is about 165 cms. But for people like our editor-in-chief, Mr. Faisal A Khan who is over 6 feet, it gave him a very cramped posture because of the lifted footpegs. The same was the case with the older Apaches too and hence the bike felt very compact even for average heighted people. This helped a lot in tackling day to day city traffic while it was fun and engaging on the highway. The seating is hard yet wouldn’t bother me much although it was difficult for the pillion to get used to it.
Punchy low and mid range but feels out of breath going flat out
Throughout the lineup, the Apache has the dynamics of a sports and naked bike
This fun on the highway was just about adequate but the windblast was a lot which took away the enjoyment quite a few times. Yet the race inspired split-cradle chassis was the reason for extreme stability. This chassis has also helped the Apache 200 have better cornering capabilities and God we loved riding our long termer in the twisties. There was one weekend just a few weeks after the one make race where I had visited Pune for some personal work. As I was completely geared up, I did visit Lavasa on my return and it was the first time I did a proper knee down on an Indian road. Although there was no one to take a picture of me, sigh!!!
The weight and a short first gear helps it lift a wheel very easily
TVS Apache 200 Cost Of Service
* Service cost – Rs. 450/-
* Engine oil – Rs. 750/- (fully synthetic)
* Consumables – Rs. 80/-
So as we started riding the TVS Apache 200 from 6166 kms on the odometer, it had one of its service done and now it was time for the second service. We rode it for around three weeks and TVS called up for its second service which was done at around 7000 kms on the odo. Post the service, the experience became better. Mileage improved slightly and the better part was the new right clip-on of the handlebar. Before we started our long term, the bike was probably dropped once and the right clip-on felt out of place every time. But the new clip-on just made the ride perfect and I also got the rear suspension slightly adjusted to my need.
Overall proportions make this motorcycle very tiny for its class
Our long termer was equipped with Pirelli tyres and by the time it had gone for service during our duration, it had lost a good amount of grip. The tread depth in the center had almost reached its limit. However, there was good amount of grip left for cornering. The brakes on our long termer had started squeaking by the end of our term. The front brakes were almost worn out at 8000 kms which is decent enough as all the braking was handled by the front. Due to the semi-aggressive posture, the motorcycle would lunge slightly forward making the rear skid under hard braking and this is when I missed ABS which I had on my Apache 180.
The Apache 200 is only comfortable for smaller riders
For the whole two months, I enjoyed a lot, taking the Apache 200 for a few long rides while doing most of the time in city traffic, running around Thane and Navi Mumbai. Every time I used to enter Mumbai, I was stopped for a checkup as the Apache had Tamil Nadu plates which led to quite some attention from the cops too. As I used to be owning an Apache 180 earlier, the service was pretty cheap but the availability of parts was an issue. During the duration of our long term, parts for the Apache 200 were easily available, only the replacement parts would take some time like the clip-on handlebar. The Apache 200 was with us for a very short time and I personally miss it a lot as it would act almost like my own bike.
The sound from the double-barrel exhaust is the best in its segment
What’s Cool
* Looks dashing, grabs lots of attention
* A compact bike for its size and handles like a gem
* The double-barrel exhaust is the best and sounds amazing too
What’s Not So Cool
* ABS was missed the whole time
* The seat is hard but the rider can do, it becomes difficult for the pillion
* The long termer Apache 200 returned poor mileage even in sane riding conditions
It surely was a vivid experience riding the Apache 200 for a long term duration
Further Reading –
TVS Apache 200 Long Term Video Review
TVS Apache 200 One Make Race Experience
TVS Apache 200 Ownership Review
TVS Apache 200 FI Video Review
TVS Apache 200 Video Review
TVS Apache 200 Review
TVS Apache 200 vs Pulsar AS 200
TVS Apache 200 vs Pulsar AS 200 Video
Pulsar RS 200 vs Apache 200 FI