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-   -   Sammyboy's Menace - Apache RTR 180. Update : Now Sold (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/63334-sammyboys-menace-apache-rtr-180-update-now-sold.html)

After almost a year of thinking, planning, cancelling, planning again I finally made a decision.

Flashback : The plans of buying a bike cropped up thanks to the traffic conditions, you can read about it at this thread :http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...commended.html

At that time funds got diverted somewhere else and my plans of being a biker again went poof !!

Discussions happened every week on whether we should buy a bike or not and though strangely both really wanted to get one, it was the morons on bikes who made us think 10 times before buying a bike, Ironic huh ?

Finally around June it was decided that we should get one.
The fight was between the ZMA (which both loved ) and the 180.
Have already ridden a ZMA so am well aware of its power and smoothness.
Went for a short TD of the RTR, loved it too so more confusion.

After numerous discussions including a thread on the biking forum it all came down to financials, and the RTR won there fair and square.
Price : 74,800 OTR Bangalore (including helmet lock)

10th July 2009 : Another frustrating shopping trip to the nearby market but this time it takes me 25 minutes before I get a parking spot and that too 200 mts from the market. All this for an under 5 minute errand.

I decide I have had enough, 11th July we are at the TVS showroom
to get the quote, 13th July the payment is made and 14th July I bring the Menace home :D

Whew, so finally ---
My friends, I present to you :The Menace



Initial impressions:

These are just what they are, initial impressions as I haven't ridden either fast or long.

I have ridden it for 99.6 kms till now and have tried my best to keep it under 4k rpm/55 kmph.

Looks: I love the looks of this bike, especially the White.

Power : The bike has its power well spread through the rpm's. Inspite of having ridden almost all of those kms in dense traffic, I never felt it to be underpowered or the need to rev more.
The bike is smooth at lower speeds, hardly any vibrations. Though you cant compare it to Honda engine refinement. Haven't really reached higher speeds to comment more.

Braking : The bike has twin disks and that helps. The rear brake does squeak and I would need to have that checked. No issues faced till now.

Suspensions : It has a five step adjustable rear shock and I found it really good. I rode it on completely broken roads (no tar just mud and rocks) and there was hardly any discomfort. It absorbed the shocks very well.

Lights and Horn : The horn is loud enough, the lights are just about adequate. Not too bad, not too good. Could do with an upgrade in a while though.

Pillion comfort : This was of prime importance as the primary purpose of this bike would be to take me and wifey to nearby markets.
My wife is happy with the seat (though the longest we have travelled non stop would be about 15kms or so). So far so good. The foot rests are also pretty well placed so no issues there as well.

Average : Heh heh sorry guys cant comment on this one yet but the manual and reviews say 45 or so.

Overall : I love this bike. Period. I feel this was the best bike that could fit into my budget of 75K. Now I feel even if my budget was higher, I would have still gone with this.

Also, as mentioned in another thread I am 5' 8.5" and my wife is about 5"7' and we are very comfortable but for someone taller I cant say if this would be the most comfortable bike.

I don't know when the run in is going to end because my weekly riding might not be over 20 kms and that does frustrate me to quite an extent.

I have to give it for servicing on the 13th of this month so any tips or things I need to keep in mind please let me know.

Please feel free to post your comments/questions (as if you need my permission :P )

Sorry all for being almost a month late in posting this (especially Techno and Patience Wins )

Congrats sammy! She sure looks good in white!
I presume you plan on keeping her stock for a long long time.
Ride safe!

Thanks Nitin. Yeah White really looks good on her.
No mods for a long long time bro, heck i guess the run in would take me a year at this speed :D lol

It looks great in white!! Glad to see that the thread is finally up.

Nice concise review. I was also impressed with the ride quality and power delivery. I had TD the bike in the broken tarmac next to the showroom, I think the same place where you took the TD. I have ridden only RTR 180 - did not feel any vibrations in the short TD.

It is indeed a great bike for city use. Enjoy!!

First of all Congrats on your perches!! looks killer in white.
One request please add few more pics from various angles.

The white and gold is an awesome paint combination. TVS is pushing the envelope for desi design, congratulations enjoy!

I was quite looking forward to this thread since a few days. Ride safe and happy traffic skipping mate.

manson.

Congratulations on the new bike, mate. She looks great. And your helmet looks nice, too.

Thanks man. yeah we both took the TD on the same area :) Agree completely, its fun to ride it in traffic.

Thanks Tushar. Will post some new pics asap.

Thanks man. The gold paint, especially in the rear shox looks awesome. Infact, I changed from my original choice of grey to white at the last minute.

Heyy Manson, thanks a lot man. Been a while since I heard from you.
Am still waiting for the baby ninja though :D

Thanks bro, its a Cross hemlet. Really liked the way it fits and the vents.
Plus its got detachable/washable inner lining and a scratch proof visor. Will post more pics for you.

Congrats! Can I glow green with envy? Waiting for reports after run-in period:D

I like this white colour painting scheme.perhaps ,the first time in a India production bike? :) .Enjoy your bike!

Hey Samarth, congrats on your new bike!
How come the Pulsar didnt figure on your list at all?

Congrats Sammy. White does look great. Happy riding. Cheers.

Hi sammy!! congrats for the new bike!! looks very very good in white, the helmet and bike combination looks awesome. Would like to repeat what ben asked above. how come no pulsar or FZ ??
If you can give a litte elaborate comparison if you TD those bikes too.

That sounds real good. Yes, more pictures are welcome.

BTW, how much did it cost?stupid: