New Apache RTR 160 Variant lands in Hyderabad, TVS wins quality award and more news about focus on the Executive Segment..
"TVS launches Apache RTR 160 in Hyderabad"
Yes, that was the Title of an article from "The Hindu", dated March 23.. Initially I was puzzled.. The Apache RTR 160 has been on sale throughout India since last year. How come it is again launched in Hyderabad Now..??
Is it a new variant..?? An Upgrade..??
The following has been taken from the same article:
"The company has provided a visually larger size presence without the weight of the bike being altered."
Has TVS increased the size of the Apache RTR 160..?? I was still confused.. Or was it about the launch of the Fuel Injected Apache RTR 160 "EFi"..??
More from the article..
"The 2008 Apache RTR 160 comes with "all new air scoops that help in quicker engine cooling" and features data logging as in race bikes. These include 0-60 lap time and top speed indicators."
There were no photos along with the story.. so now I was all the more confused.
But then I came across the following information and Picture posted in XBHP.COM (God bless xbhp and the guy who uploaded the Pics).
So it seems that the New Apache RTR 160 is just a cosmetic upgrade compared to its earlier model. New features seem to be the Tank Scoops, Exposed Chain and the digital speedo which captures data such as top speed.
"Air scoops that help in quicker engine cooling".. Yeah right..!! Make them a little bigger.. like wings, and watch it fly..!!
I am sure that the TVS guys have been misquoted here by some over enthusiastic journalist.
Anyway, I called up the TVS dealers here in Delhi and they said that this new variant hasn't arrived here (in Delhi) yet and would take around 15 days to arrive.
TVS Bags TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) excellence award
This was reported by The Economic Times.. .
According to the news report, TVS has been given the "Total Productive Maintenance Excellence Award" by the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance. It essentially means that TVS has been awarded for maintaining quality practices.
Its noteworthy that earlier TVS Motors had also won the prestigious "Deming Award".
I agree that quality of products from TVS isn't far behind from the Japanese brands. Even my mechanic friend from Bangalore thinks so.. Kudos TVS Motors..!!
[To know more about TPM: Click here..]
TVS Motors will heavily focus on the executive (Rs. 40,000) segment
In a recent interview to CNBC-TV18, TVS CMD, Venu Srinivasan has stated clearly that "the Focus of TVS Motors would be in the Rs. 40,000 category rather than in the Rs. 60,000 category".
Throughout the interview Mr. Srinivasan clearly indicated that TVS will be pushing the new 125 cc Flame in an attempt to arrest its slide in sales (Just as I had concluded after the Auto Expo).
Just look at the two motorcycle sales graphs below (Courtesy Rearset)..
75cc - less than 125 cc segment is domonated by Hero Honda
125 cc and above segment is dominated by Bajaj Auto
So where is TVS Motors..??
According to Mr. Srinivasan, the Executive segment (where the Flame is currently positioned) accounts for around 50% of motorcycle sales in India. And till now TVS did not have any presence in that segment. Therefore it makes good business sense to concentrate on this segment with the recently launched 125 cc Flame.
But what about the plans for a Bigger Engined Apache RTR..??
In the interview, Mr. Srinivasan clearly says that "Apache or a little more than Apache is where we would stop.." He also says that he sees the "200 cc or 250 cc" as the limit right now.
He also categorically stated that "TVS would be focusing on Commuters".
Payeng Says: Nevermind, I have already started saving up for the Kawasaki Ninja 250R..
[Watch the Interview Online: Click here..]
Disclaimer:
This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.
28 Comments:
TVS rocks! but they shd have had a fuel injection for this version. or do they?
when is the FI coming??
does any one have any idea as to when its coming to bangalore and what the price difference between this and the avaialable model is? The last when i checked in Tristar motors in Domlur next to the indiranagar flyover, they gave me a price of 67000 for the yellow... do u know any other better shop where they will probably give me a discount. Which is the best TVS showroom in bangalore.. its the first time im to buy a bike and am a little bit apprehensive. Im planning to buy it by April 2nd week during the Ugadhi festival season... I dont think i can wait any longer for the FI model, as now it has become necessity...
RTR-FI Released on March 26th 2008..
Read in Hindu Metro Plus (WHEELS) section..
Hello Payeng,
Thanks for all your posts on this blog. I am a avid reader of your blog and truly all your articles rock. I read the article Vega has mentioned in his comments, it turned out to be just another review of TVS APACHE RTR EFI, there was no mention of the release of this bike.
I had been waiting for this bike since the AUTO EXPO 2008, i check TBCI everyday for info on it.
However there is one observation i have made out of test riding RTR, i had so far ridden a couple of RTR's and an old Apache sibling, these bikes show a huge inconsistency when it comes engine refinement, baring the fact that all these were brand new bikes, while one (RTR that is) felt moderately refined the other was nothing less that a huge vibrator. May be it is the way its maintained. But i really wanna know about the vibes and the engine refinement.
Muzaffar
Thanks Muzaffar,
for visiting "TBCI" often..
According to what I know, the RTR Efi should be out in April 2008..
Yes, the way a bike is maintained will make a lot of difference on the health of the bike..
I also have to add one thing that although the RTR has an issue with vibrations, the engine feels quite powerful across the rev range and does not feel too strained even at high revs.
I like the Apache RTR quite a lot.. the Efi should only be a better package
My questions still remain unanswered...
I dont know or rather i dont think the RTR eFI will be releasing anytime soon.,I lost hope waiting for the eFI model. my question was as to when the RTR 2008 model would be released in bangalore,, what will the price difference be,, which showroom is it best to buy it from in bangalore and how much would 2008 model cost if it is already released in bangalore. Can someone help. thanks in advance
It's still the same old "small"Apache RTR with a efi engine.Love it's engine and ride and equally hate it's dimensions.
Don't waste your time for waiting rtr efi,because it is limited edition bike.(Only 300-500 bikes will be produced).And showroom has no resonsibility of it.It is advanced tecnology that only company can solve the problems.
So it is good to buy normal rtr,rather than waiting.Because kya pata,"KAL HO NA HO"!!!
@Rohit,
may I ask the source of the news of the RTR "EFi" to be produced in limited numbers..??
Hi all,
I checked with Ramkay TVS and Kohinoor TVS in Chennai, and was told that RTR EFI is not available in showrooms till September 2008.
I wish this is not true, however more than one dealer quoting the same time makes me think.
Will TVS ever hear our voices? If i had to wait till september. then hell no, i am considering saving up for the "Baby Ninja" instead.
Like Payeng said: "Never mind TVS i am going in for a Ninja 250R"
- Muzaffar Hussain, Chennai
And yes, i checked to see if this would be a lmited edition and learnt that it is not.
Have you guys checked out the TVS motor website??? Please do, go to the press release straight away...... TVS does not seem to have started the year 2008 yet.
TVS are you listening?????
= Muzaffar
Comparing the Apache RTR with the Ninja will not be fair both to the Apache RTR and the Ninja 250..
I am looking forward to the Ninja 250R for totally different reason..
Peace.
Thanks you guys for your NO RESPONSE to my queries... I went to the Srihari TVS showroom and asked them how much the RTR 2008 model costs...
And since I am not like you guys and wanted to help.. the new 2008 model costs 300 rs more than the old model.
hi payeng. i want to know that has tvs team sorted out the problems regarding the gearbox and vibrations in its new version of apache rtr 2008.
@ Prashant,
No Idea bro.. have to check it out when it arrives here.. Maybe in a few weeks it should be here.
thanx payeng, i'll wait for it tilll you test the new variant and post a rocking reply
Hi Payeng,
I just got the Apache RTR 160 'Refreshed', apparently thats what they call it in the TVS world... Well looks wise, yes it's refreshing to look at, I think that the Clutch and the Gear Shift is much smoother now compared to the older 160 (I rode a friends to test ride it).
All-in-all the bike is still a show stealer with an amazing engine sound and that sporty feel with the maneuverability of a cheetah!!
Thanks for all ur blogs, posts, it really helped me.
And yes this one comes for 65,900 on road in Bangalore. I got mine from Tristar Motors, Indiranagar.
Cheers Bikers!
I might add more in here as I get to know this bike better... :-)
Hi Abhimanyu,
Congrats on your proud purchase..
The Apache RTR indeed is like a Cheetah..!!
If possible please share your ownership experience with us.. You can mail me your experiences.. and Please do not forget to post pictures of you and your Apache RTR 160 "Refreshed"..!!
did da company fool ppl by showing off the rtr refresh as fi in the auto expo??? does fi exist at all????!!
r v all waiting frm soooooo many months 4 smthng whch s "non-existent"???!!
Speed is 93, gear is NEUTRAL RPM at 0 is it a true pic???
i guess it is possible... all u gotta do is get the gear to neutral after u have reached that speed and the RPM will automatically show 0 as the engine is not revving because of the neutral :)
Hey Sundar, the speed shown in the pic is the High Speed achieved by the rider. Apache has this console where it records your highest speed achieved. :-)
Hey Sundar, the speed shown in the pic is the High Speed achieved by the rider. Apache has this console where it records your highest speed achieved. :-)
Thanks you guys for your NO RESPONSE to my queries... I went to the Srihari TVS showroom and asked them how much the RTR 2008 model costs...
And since I am not like you guys and wanted to help.. the new 2008 model costs 300 rs more than the old model.
Thanks Muzaffar,
for visiting "TBCI" often..
According to what I know, the RTR Efi should be out in April 2008..
Yes, the way a bike is maintained will make a lot of difference on the health of the bike..
I also have to add one thing that although the RTR has an issue with vibrations, the engine feels quite powerful across the rev range and does not feel too strained even at high revs.
I like the Apache RTR quite a lot.. the Efi should only be a better package
If any one need rtr 180, 160 service manual, u can get it from here.... its really useful.....
http://www.ziddu.com/download/13591985/RTR160Servicemanual.pdf.html
http://www.ziddu.com/download/13591986/RTR180ServiceManual.pdf.html
http://www.ziddu.com/download/13591987/rtr160.pdf.html
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Racing-Throttle-Response/126754630723513?v=wall
http://cruiserguy.blogspot.com/
160 is top speed of apache
Post a Comment
Your Comments are valuable as they keep the conversation alive..
But Please Comment Responsibly (for them to be published)