TVS to launch Apache in US of America!!

FZ6 · 17th December 2008, 22:48

I bet it willl sell. I am on a number of international sportbike forums and I always see members post threads about bikes in India and how they would love something like that for regular commute.

Nitin · 17th December 2008, 23:11

Highly doubt if people would go in for these bikes. I know a lot of people who use scooters within the downtown areas,but thats just a handful. Most people prefer bikes that are atleast 250cc and above.The Ninja 250 is probably the most popular bike in the segment,and anything below that might not appeal.
None-the-less,it would be great if TVS succeeds in entering the US market.Good luck to them!

abk · 18th December 2008, 02:12

Not sure of USA but would certainly sell in reasonably small numbers in Europe given the renewed love for scooters here coupled with the fact that it is quite a long wait before one can graduate to driving 500cc+ motorbikes

Whilst I was in the UK I considered bringing over my Hero Honda Splendour only to be desisted by heavy import duties and import regulations. Anything in the 200-300cc band around £1000-1500 (Rs. 80 - 120k) would find decent patronage amongst handful suburbs to city commuters in my opinion. Meanwhile, I would continue biking (cycling) to & fro work everyday despite the cold, grey, wet (or occasional snow) & no sun days

Nitin · 18th December 2008, 03:28

Quite true, abk. The percentage of people who'd be interested in such bikes would be 2-3%. Short commutes would be ok,but riding a bike like the Apache on the freeways would be extremely challenging.
For example, I work in an area of Houston called the Medical center,and I see number of people using scooters/cycles. It makes sense having such a mode to commute within the area as a lot of clinic/hospitals are inter-connected and frequent trips to various buildings is necessary. With such folks,bikes like the Apache would be a hit.

akshay4587 · 18th December 2008, 03:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillram

I dont think Apache will sell in US.Imagine its the land of Harleys and Apache will look so puny and under powered.TVS is making a serious mistake.

But for daily commute within city speed limits and amazing mileage as per US standards I think RTR FI does stand a chance.
also it comes with digital instrumentation and disc brakes at both ends.

deepclutch · 18th December 2008, 04:16

I am sure south east asian ,Indian immigrants will buy apache in USA :P

Mpower · 18th December 2008, 07:37

Total waste of time. First Mahindra and now TVS?

THey are much better off exploring europe, africa, south america and even Mexico.

akshay4587 · 18th December 2008, 07:44

They should try Latin America first

Pulsars are a big hit there.
there is even a pulsar riders group over there.

jango · 18th December 2008, 08:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay4587

But for daily commute within city speed limits and amazing mileage as per US standards I think RTR FI does stand a chance.
also it comes with digital instrumentation and disc brakes at both ends.

Well only within the city limits. Can a 150cc bike be driven in a freeway..i doubt the law permits 150cc bikes use in freeway.

xxaarraa · 18th December 2008, 09:03

It's less about whether a small displacement bike is capable of freeway speeds. It's more about the brain-dead, makeup adjusting, cell phone talking, killdozer drivers that do 20-30 mph over the speed limit that is the problem. Having reserve power to get out of death's way is really important in the US and if your bike is revving at 10k just to keep up with the speed limit, it is just unsafe.

18th December 2008, 09:33

Most of the noise is made by sportbike and Harley guys, but there is a small market for lower powered bikes. TVS Apache (Fuel injected version) could do well in that segment.

Bluu · 18th December 2008, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by jango

Well only within the city limits. Can a 150cc bike be driven in a freeway..i doubt the law permits 150cc bikes use in freeway.

Actually the permissible engine capacity is exactly 150cc. Though the DMV rules state that the minimum requirement in not displacement but horse power, which in this case is 6bhp. Also, a bike/scooter needs to be more than 80cc for 2 people to ride it even on surface streets. Nothing below 50cc is road-legal. These are US rules, btw.

normally_crazy · 18th December 2008, 21:38

The RTR 180 is coming in Jan 2009 in India.

safari_lover · 18th December 2008, 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by normally_crazy

The RTR 180 is coming in Jan 2009 in India.

Can I take that as confirmed? If yes, that is the best news I heard today!!

kkr2k2 · 20th December 2008, 00:33

TVS has the RTR EFI. May be they will offer this model ! also they have a racing model 250, which could also be introduced(oh! this is just speculation).

BTW, has any one heard about the Chinese company Lifan?? They sell bikes in USA!!! 200 cc and 250cc (ninja 250 look alike)

17th December 2008, 22:48	#16
FZ6 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 13 Thanked: 0 Times	I bet it willl sell. I am on a number of international sportbike forums and I always see members post threads about bikes in India and how they would love something like that for regular commute.
	() Thanks

17th December 2008, 23:11	#17
Nitin Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,294 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Highly doubt if people would go in for these bikes. I know a lot of people who use scooters within the downtown areas,but thats just a handful. Most people prefer bikes that are atleast 250cc and above.The Ninja 250 is probably the most popular bike in the segment,and anything below that might not appeal. None-the-less,it would be great if TVS succeeds in entering the US market.Good luck to them!
	() Thanks

18th December 2008, 02:12	#18
abk BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NOIDA / Gurgaon Posts: 277 Thanked: 15 Times	Not sure of USA but would certainly sell in reasonably small numbers in Europe given the renewed love for scooters here coupled with the fact that it is quite a long wait before one can graduate to driving 500cc+ motorbikes Whilst I was in the UK I considered bringing over my Hero Honda Splendour only to be desisted by heavy import duties and import regulations. Anything in the 200-300cc band around £1000-1500 (Rs. 80 - 120k) would find decent patronage amongst handful suburbs to city commuters in my opinion. Meanwhile, I would continue biking (cycling) to & fro work everyday despite the cold, grey, wet (or occasional snow) & no sun days
	() Thanks

18th December 2008, 03:28	#19
Nitin Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,294 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Quite true, abk. The percentage of people who'd be interested in such bikes would be 2-3%. Short commutes would be ok,but riding a bike like the Apache on the freeways would be extremely challenging. For example, I work in an area of Houston called the Medical center,and I see number of people using scooters/cycles. It makes sense having such a mode to commute within the area as a lot of clinic/hospitals are inter-connected and frequent trips to various buildings is necessary. With such folks,bikes like the Apache would be a hit.
	() Thanks

18th December 2008, 04:16	#21
deepclutch Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Muvattupuzha Posts: 1,165 Thanked: 162 Times	I am sure south east asian ,Indian immigrants will buy apache in USA :P
	() Thanks

18th December 2008, 07:37	#22
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,730 Times View My Garage	Total waste of time. First Mahindra and now TVS? THey are much better off exploring europe, africa, south america and even Mexico.
	() Thanks

18th December 2008, 07:44	#23
akshay4587 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chandigarh/Mohali/Ambala Cantt Posts: 4,151 Thanked: 4,525 Times View My Garage	They should try Latin America first Pulsars are a big hit there. there is even a pulsar riders group over there.
	() Thanks

18th December 2008, 09:03	#25
xxaarraa BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lot of places Posts: 140 Thanked: 5 Times	It's less about whether a small displacement bike is capable of freeway speeds. It's more about the brain-dead, makeup adjusting, cell phone talking, killdozer drivers that do 20-30 mph over the speed limit that is the problem. Having reserve power to get out of death's way is really important in the US and if your bike is revving at 10k just to keep up with the speed limit, it is just unsafe.
	() Thanks

18th December 2008, 09:33	#26
SuperSyn Posts: n/a	Most of the noise is made by sportbike and Harley guys, but there is a small market for lower powered bikes. TVS Apache (Fuel injected version) could do well in that segment.
	() Thanks

18th December 2008, 21:38	#28
normally_crazy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,369 Thanked: 528 Times View My Garage	The RTR 180 is coming in Jan 2009 in India.
	() Thanks

20th December 2008, 00:33	#30
kkr2k2 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Hyd Posts: 1,294 Thanked: 66 Times View My Garage	TVS has the RTR EFI. May be they will offer this model ! also they have a racing model 250, which could also be introduced(oh! this is just speculation). BTW, has any one heard about the Chinese company Lifan?? They sell bikes in USA!!! 200 cc and 250cc (ninja 250 look alike)
	() Thanks