[arvi86]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

Good job on the review. I quite likedit. Forwarding to some friends!

Glad that you liked it!

Originally Posted by prateekm

Thanks for the review! Now that you gave such an awesome review, I don't think I have any extra points to talk about in my review. Sexy pics too, thanks.

Thanks for your compliments.

Originally Posted by prateekm

The ABS does work, and it does the work pretty well.
P.S: Though I wanted my bike white and only white, they should give a few colour options to those who want to settle for other colours.

on both the points.

[abhinav.s]

Originally Posted by prateekm

So are there any solutions as such for reducing the vibes? Will switching to synthetic/semi-synthetic make any difference?

Nope nothing you can do with the vibes buddy. As you pile up the kms, hope that they reduce.

I have tried many different oils and was happy with the Motul mineral oil for the RTR160. I follow a drain interval of 2000 kms irrespective of whether the bike is due for service or not. Hence Motul Mineral suited the best for this kind of application. For the vibes, i got the RTR160 Joel'd and man it was as smooth as a Honda/Yam after the mods. No vibes what so ever. But it voids all warranty of the bike It was safe to play around with the 160 since it was already out of warranty.

On the RTR180, I used the TVS oil only till the first service. In Bangalore, the service center i go to have no issues filling up my own oil. Hence i am sticking to the same Motul mineral i used for the RTR160. It might not help with the vibes but it definitely ensures smoother gear shifts and lesser false neutrals. I have used the bike for 140 kms after first service and no false neutrals so far!!

[Technocrat]

Absolutely Brilliant review of a great Bike. Thanks for sharing it with us(marking this thread 5 Star)

Originally Posted by arvi86

You gotta love TVS for what they do. While every other two-wheeler manufacturer, both domestic and international, are content with churning out the same old models with an occasional nip, a tuck and a sticker job, here is one company which keeps pushing the technological barriers and comes out with models that sets the pace and trend in the industry. From the VTi technology introduced in the Centra to the most recent auto-clutch technology introduced in the Jive, TVS has always been at the forefront of technological innovations when it comes to two-wheelers.

Actually this is where i disagree, they have been innovative but what they have done mostly is pick up the best from all around & put them in one product. The RTR engine is basically a Suzuki Fiero engine, the switch gear too is typical Suzuki.
The Jive technology was introduced a decade or more ago by HH, the alloy wheel design copied from ZMA & rear lamp design is copied from Bajaj (although I must say they did a better job) they introduced gas shocks only after Bajaj did.

All said & done they do make good bikes & that's what matters

[dhanushs]

Arvi86, 1st off, I gotta admire the way you look at bikes!!.. The pics reflect it!!.. Awesome photos buddy.

Being an RTR owner from the 1st month of its launch, and after 35k kms of experiencing it, a few questions from me. I hope its not too much.

Originally Posted by arvi86

the Apache still looks fresh and hot against the latest competition from Yamaha (FZ16, Fazer) and Honda (CB Unicorn Dazzler) unlike say, the Pulsar

+1. Design age's well. You never get tired.

absence of a full frontal fairing means that the ‘big-bike’ feel that you get, .... is not there.

Now, that is one of the main reasons why the bike is soo chuckable.

fit and finish of the bike is top-notch

Well, I would agree that all the mechanical parts are done well, but the feel good ones, wear away fast, and are just OK..OK..

The switchgear, for example, feels solid to touch

Arvi, the switch gear is OK, and the exact same thing comes in the bullet. The problem is that, it ages bad. The pulsars switch gear is 10 times better and is backlit.

but then, the clip on handle bar's.. which were 1st in the segment, ROCKS!!..

chosen a better model for launching this feature

Isnt this the best model to install ABS, in the TVS range?

the deep-throated and sporty exhaust note is a big plus

IMO, best among the bikes!.. I adore it, especially in low rpms.

Apache RTR 180 does it all without much of a fuss.

tires remain a sore thumb with grip levles not on par with bikes like FZ16

I agree, but one issue I have seen with FZ tires are that they wear out super fast, and are super expensive. Considering that, we can get much better tyres after say ~10k. I swapped to MRF Nylogrip Zapper wide.. It rocks, and it lasts.. I have not changed it till 35k.

Hydraulic ECU

Could you please elaborate?

constant stream of input from the sensors

Again, could you please elaborate?. Wheel speed sensors?. Or accelerometers?

HECU can detect a potential wheel-lock.

Umm.. do you happen to know how?

Back-to-back rides in a regular Apache 150 and the RTR 180 ABS gave us the answers

A more apt comparison would be RTR160 and RTR180 ABS. The normal apache, I think has entirely different suspension set up/dynamics.

The contoured seats look great but the stitches started coming off in just two weeks.

I think the best seats were in the 1st batch.

WHAT YOU WILL LIKE:

Please add that awesome console, which includes the best 0-60 timings and top speed recorder. I think no other bike has it(?).

The petal discs, both at the front and the rear, look great.

They look best and give the best feedback, except may be the R15 betters it.

[arvi86]

Originally Posted by abhinav.s

comment about pillion is funny! The P220 is an outright tourer with a relaxed riding position and very generous pillion seat.

I completely agree. The Pulsars in general are much better than the Apaches in this aspect.

Originally Posted by abhinav.s

Oh yes, the ZMR looks big!! While the ZMR is meant to be big, the RTR on the other hand is derived from TVS racing and is meant to be lean, mean and what not.

No second thoughts there abhinav. In fact, I am glad that TVS has not designed the Apace to look and feel 'big'. That's what makes it look hot and sexy.

Originally Posted by abhinav.s

She is really a good motivator and our next aim is to do a saddle sore 1600 together.

Saddlesore 1600 with your wife? Love your passion and your wife's interest too. Good luck!

Originally Posted by abhinav.s

Oh yes definitely. i am not saying they are not there or that they are manageable. That apart the vibes are very much present and irritating to say the least!! I am saying this today coz i took the bike to 5k rpm this morning and got a free foot massage!!!

The last line had me in splits. Jokes apart, TVS needs to do something about these vibrations. IMO, it spoils the overall experience of riding this bike.

Originally Posted by Technocrat

Absolutely Brilliant review of a great Bike. Thanks for sharing it with us(marking this thread 5 Star)

Thanks a ton Technocrat!

Originally Posted by Technocrat

Actually this is where i disagree, they have been innovative but what they have done mostly is pick up the best from all around & put them in one product. The RTR engine is basically a Suzuki Fiero engine, the switch gear too is typical Suzuki.
The Jive technology was introduced a decade or more ago by HH, the alloy wheel design copied from ZMA & rear lamp design is copied from Bajaj (although I must say they did a better job) they introduced gas shocks only after Bajaj did.

. Bajaj is no slouch in coming out with features and technology too.

Originally Posted by dhanushs

Arvi86, 1st off, I gotta admire the way you look at bikes!!.. The pics reflect it!!.. Awesome photos buddy.

Thanks. Half of the credits for the snaps should go to my cousin Arun Varadarajan.

Originally Posted by dhanushs

Now, that is one of the main reasons why the bike is soo chuckable.

+1. In fact, that's what makes the Apache such a wonderful handler.

Originally Posted by dhanushs

Arvi, the switch gear is OK, and the exact same thing comes in the bullet. The problem is that, it ages bad. The pulsars switch gear is 10 times better and is backlit.

but then, the clip on handle bar's.. which were 1st in the segment, ROCKS!!..

I agree that Pulsar's switchgear is better but I still think that the switchgear in Apache is of good quality too. I especially love that chunky 'red' Engine-Kill switch. As you said, clip-on handlebars are fabulous. I didn't knew that the Apache was the first in its segment to come with those. Thanks for the info, mate.

Originally Posted by dhanushs

Isnt this the best model to install ABS, in the TVS range?

That's what I had mentioned. To quote my statement, "They couldn't have chosen a better model to launch this feature than the Apache RTR180".

Originally Posted by dhanushs

Could you please elaborate?
Again, could you please elaborate?. Wheel speed sensors?. Or accelerometers?
Umm.. do you happen to know how?

Excuse me here please. As I had mentioned in the review, any technology is easily-understandable as long as it is in paper. And the above two points were just that. Give me some time as I have already started the process of investigating this ABS tech with someone who is working in TVS.

As a day-to-day user, I found the ABS to be of significant help in muddy patches and on gravel. The bike refuses to lock-up wheels and was stable.

Originally Posted by dhanushs

Please add that awesome console, which includes the best 0-60 timings and top speed recorder. I think no other bike has it(?).

Tell me about it. The console throws up interesting tidbits every time I rode the bike. I was surprised the first time wen I saw the top speed recorder.

[man_and_machine]

ABS will need to work on both the wheels simultaneously. How is that implemented in RTR? I see that the is a brake level on the handle bar too (I could not make out if the left leg also has a brake level found traditionally on all bikes).

[arjab]

Brilliant review
Always admired TVS for their R&D capability and their single mindedness in introducing new technologies in their bikes.
Most TVS bikes are an enthusiast's delight. They are fun to drive, nimble and reliable and at the same time easy on the biker's wallet.
Be it the ye old TVS-SUZUKI Supra, the Shogun, the Fiero and now the RTR, they have preserved their racing DNA very well.
Their gearless scooters are also good handlers, in fact, i recently had the opportunity to ride a TVS WEGO and was surprised with its crisp and tidy handling.
If only they can increase their dealer network, overhaul their sales process, put in some aggressive marketing they can actually give the HMotocorp and the big B a run for their bikes!

[justwheels]

Thanks for the brilliant review. Sincerely TVS needs to be applauded for getting new technologies at our doorstep. As far as Apache is concerned, its one bike thats not marketted as a "big feel" bike. I mean, its so compact that you hardly feel that its a 180 until the engine roars. The addition of ABS surely adds value to it. Unfortunately, safety is the last thing most Indians want to spend on, so hard luck. TVS is really inching forward in offerring best technology day after day.

I really wish I could replace my Gladiator for this Apache. Kudos to the development team. I feel they need atleast one more bike (in 150 and above) and aggressive branding.

[Sutripta]

Originally Posted by man_and_machine

ABS will need to work on both the wheels simultaneously.

Two independent channels.

Regards
Sutripta

[kutlee]

can this brake distribution be called EBD? should be quite expensive setup then.

[arvi86]

Originally Posted by arjab

Brilliant review

Thanks for your compliment arjab.

Originally Posted by arjab

Most TVS bikes are an enthusiast's delight. They are fun to drive, nimble and reliable and at the same time easy on the biker's wallet.
Be it the ye old TVS-SUZUKI Supra, the Shogun, the Fiero and now the RTR, they have preserved their racing DNA very well.

I agree. Leave alone the Shogun, Fiero and Apache, even the economy bike Star Sport is so nimble and a hoot to drive in dense traffic.

Originally Posted by arjab

in fact, i recently had the opportunity to ride a TVS WEGO and was surprised with its crisp and tidy handling.

I have heard many good words about the Wego from a lot of people but I have not had a chance to drive it yet.

Originally Posted by justwheels

Thanks for the brilliant review.

Its my pleasure. The very point of coming up with this thread was to help people in deciding on the Apache RTR180 ABS. IMO, its a great effort from an Indian manufacturer in bringing the latest safety technology within the reach of thousands of Indians and such effort should not go unnoticed in a site as popular as Team BHP.

Originally Posted by justwheels

Unfortunately, safety is the last thing most Indians want to spend on, so hard luck.

I think this predominant attitude is slowly changing, atleast amongst youngsters.

Originally Posted by kutlee

can this brake distribution be called EBD? should be quite expensive setup then.

You stole words out of me kutlee. The other day, I was just sitting and thinking whether this tech in the Apache RTR180 ABS could be called EBD as the TVS manual says that the Hydraulic ECU distributes the brake pressure to both wheels when it detects a potential wheel-lock thus preventing it from occurring. So, should it be EBD instead of ABS?

All the experts in the forum - your inputs and views are highly solicited here.

[bblost]

A very well written review.

A 5* rating is mandatory for this thread.

[n_aditya]

Excellent report. Covers every little aspect in fine detail.

This bike also has an option to turn off the ABS by depressing a button, guess you missed that out. The pics show that but the accompanying text is missing.

Overall, loved reading it and thanks for taking the time and effort to publish such a detailed and crisp review (almost at par with the official review).

[arvi86]

Originally Posted by bblost

A 5* rating is mandatory for this thread.

Originally Posted by n_aditya

Excellent report.
Overall, loved reading it and thanks for taking the time and effort to publish such a detailed and crisp review (almost at par with the official review).

I am really glad you both liked the review. Team BHP reviews were my benchmark when I set out for doing this and it really feels good when you say that its almost on par. Thanks again!

Originally Posted by n_aditya

This bike also has an option to turn off the ABS by depressing a button, guess you missed that out. The pics show that but the accompanying text is missing.

My bad! I had that particular point in mind and wanted to mention the fact that TVS has not forgotten about true-blue enthusiasts who would not like ABS kicking in. Thanks for pointing that out.

[safari_lover]

Excellent review there, arvi86. Thanks for all the effort put into sharing this.

I always liked the RTR and love the way it revs. It is the best bike after the R15, IMHO (of course leaving the Ninja out).

I am just waiting for TVS to launch their 2xx CC bike. I am sure it won't be long before they do that.