Design and Styling of
TVS Apache RTR 200 4v Race Edition 2.0
TVS has not tinkered much with the exterior. The bike has
the same basic shape, but now you get a few more stickers and race inspired
graphics all over. The bottom half of the front forks have a golden paint, the
headlamp has a small windshield and the rear tyre gets a cover. The windshield
is not there to save you from wind blast, it is just a cosmetic piece and I
personally would not have cared if it was there or not. The instrument panel is
also the same as before and it is a feature packed digital display. The white
backlight is soothing to look at and the display can you show you your speed,
two trip meters, lap timer, 0-60kmph timer, top speed, odometer, time, gear
position, tachometer and fuel gauge. And yes, this one also comes with a side
stand that you have to open using an extension that pokes between the left footpeg
and gear and I am not a fan of that. You have clip-on handlebars, fairly neutral
positioned footpegs and a comfy saddle to provide you with a decently relaxed
riding position. I only wish that the saddle angle was flatter as currently the
rider tends to slam the fuel tank with their pelvis in case of hard braking.
Even while riding normally, I found myself sliding close to the tank. On the
other hand, this is one of the few sporty bikes that come with a pillion seat
that is actually usable.
Engine and
Performance of TVS Apache RTR 200 4v Race Edition 2.0
The RTR 200 4v is a bike that finds itself completely at
home in the city. You have a 199cc oil-cooled engine with a power of 20 horses
and torque of 18Nm. The power is delivered in the mid ranges, meaning that it
is super fun to ride. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox and in this new
iteration gets a slipper clutch. Navigating through the gears is fun and easy,
to the point where I found myself shifting up and down without even touching
the clutch. When I did use the clutch, I found it very light and easy to
operate. While the bike has a lot to offer in the low and mid ranges, there is
not much in the top end, that combined with the lack of a 6th gear
means that this is not ‘the ideal cruiser’. I am not saying the bike can’t be
taken on the highways, but what I do mean to say is that it won’t be as fast as
some of its competitors. Still getting to 90kmph is relatively easy. What I
like the most is the refinement of the engine. This is the smoothest TVS engine
I have ridden till date. There are no major vibrations to bother you, only a low
rumble from the exhaust that never gets old.
Since the bike has not changed drastically, the rest of the
dynamics also remain the same. The suspension setup is mildly stiff but very tactile,
allowing you to feel in contact with the tarmac below. The disc brakes along
with the dual channel ABS bring you to halt safely. The rear brake, however,
lacks initial bit but gets down to business when you plough it hard. I was able
to get 44kmpl out of this bike in the city and owners can expect a figure
between 40-45 kmpl depending on their riding style. Cold start is an issue with
this bike but it only takes less than two minutes to get the engine ready for
action.
Verdict
The RTR 200 4v Race Edition 2.0 has taken the Apache series
in the right direction. It looks appealing to the Gen Z, packs in a ride
character that is suitable for daily commute and crucially, comes with more
refinement and features. If it were up to me, I would like to see the next
iteration of the bike with a 6 speed gearbox and the ABS option available in FI
variant. The Apache RTR 2004v Race Edition 2.0 strikes a great balance between
features and price. You could go for something cheaper and sacrifice on
features or you could spend more and get a bike that is more powerful. But if
you want a nice and balanced meal, this is the one for you.