IN THE FAST LANE

TVS has bestowed the Apache RTR with killer looks and a new fuel injection engine. The result is the Apache RTR EFI, a bike that easily outperforms others in its segment

We8217;re not saying you look beyond the good old Pulsar twins 150 cc/180 cc just yet, but if you8217;ve been searching for an alternative, then there is an easy option8212;the TVS Apache RTR EFI. The TVS Apache RTR 160 cc, which was launched earlier this summer, was impressive with its fresh, new styling and segment-topping power, but the company wanted more. So now there is a fuel injection version of the same bike, and while previewing the products TVS Flame was also in the queue, TVS kept this one for the last. When we took it out for a spin, we found out why.

Exterior
Apache is the first truly compact and sporty bike in its class, despite the fact that the Pulsar, with its muscular and universally appealing looks, is still tough to beat in the now good looking 150 cc executive segment. Unlike in other bikes in this segment, add-ons like digital console and alloy wheels are an extension of the bike8217;s personality, not merely fancy features to lure the buyers. It8217;s hard to imagine an RTR without alloy wheels even as we have accepted Pulsar and CBZ in that avatar.
Among other things, the bike has the least ground clearance in the segment, which gives it a very low stance. While an amateur biker may not appreciate it, an enthusiast will understand the benefits while tackling corners and bends at high speeds. The fuel injection seems identical to the RTR and there are no major changes on the exterior.
The bike has a dual-tone paint job and generously uses aluminum in the body, with clip on handlebars and foot pegs, a first in its class. Split grab rails at the rear and LED tail lamps further accentuate the looks.

Performance
One look at the tabulated figures that we have meticulously arrived at and you will realise nothing more needs to be said. The Apache RTR racing throttle response EFI easily outperforms other bikes and is at least half a generation ahead of the Pulsar twins, which for long had set the benchmark in the segment. With a 160 cc engine, it belts out 15.7 bhp, which to put things in perspective, is only 0.8 bhp less than that of the Pulsar 180 cc. You will have to get used to outrunning everybody between the traffic lights.
It8217;s likely that the electronic fuel injection EFI technology will soon be introduced in all other models8212;Glamour, in the 125 cc segment, already has it. According to this technology, an electronic control unit is combined with sensors, a fuel pump and a main injector. The sensors ensure better throttle response and the company claims that starting the bike in winters will no longer be a problem. It also claims that due to reduced power loss, fuel efficiency will improve marginally but we cannot vouch for it yet.
TVS has been clear that the bike is for speed demons. Having said that, the bike8217;s twin disk brakes will not leave you gasping if you misjudge while overtaking or taking a turn and are forced to brake hard.
At the company8217;s test track, we hit a top speed of 115 km/hour and believe it can go as high as 120 km/hour without any effort. The acceleration is smoother than the carburetted RTR and the time lag beyond 90 kmph is also reduced. TVS has changed the bore and stroke to 62 and 52.9 mm, which did their bit in increasing the torque and performance.

Final word
As for the verdict, we feel a little cramped without the actual fuel efficiency figures. It helps, though, that the carburetted RTR figures are in.
The bike should give 45 kmpl in the city, 52 kmpl on the highway and a mix of both should keep it at around 48 kmpl. These are good figures considering that the RTR EFI has a much quicker acceleration compared to its competitors.
The price is also withheld till the launch, which will happen some time next month, but our guess is that it will be around Rs 65,0008212;Rs 5,000 more than the carburetted RTR. The bike does not come cheap, but for the enthusiasts it8217;s worth a buy.