TVS Apache RTR 160 head to head with Bajaj Pulsar DTSi 150 and Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme.. PART II
I take my friend Siva out to test ride the New TVS Apache RTR 160 and pit it against the likes of the best selling Bajaj Pulsar DTSi 150 and the strong contender Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme.
After our test rides we try to answer the following question to ourselves, "If given a choice among the Bajaj Pulsar DTSi 150, Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme, TVS Apache RTR 160, which one would I go ahead and buy..??"
In part II of this review let’s try to find out which bike excels in which category.. and then try to get the answer to the above question.
Lets first start with the Looks...
Looks:
Best Looks: Bajaj Pulsar DTSi 150 and TVS Apache RTR 160
I must admit that looks is an entirely subjective opinion. What might be a object of beauty for one might turn out to be an eyesore for another. Let us now jot down the positive and negative aspects of the looks of each bike.
The Apache RTR 160 happens to be the smallest among the lot and looks almost like the old Apache 150...
this is one aspect which will definitely put off many prospective buyers. As far as I understand, majority of Indians prefer a bike which looks and feels big.
The CBZ Xtreme loses out due to its awkward styling, lack of features like Digital Speedometers and also in fit and finish which we found was a bit lacking in comparison to both the Pulsar DTSi 150 as well as the Apache RTR 160. The only thing going for its looks was its big dimensions.
In contrast to the CBZ Xtreme, the Apache RTR 160 is sharp and muscular looking. But it also happens to be the smallest among the lot and this is one aspect which will definitely put off many prospective buyers. Although the wheelbase of the RTR has been lengthened by 40 mm, the bike still looks almost like the old Apache 150. As far as I understand, majority of Indians prefer a bike which looks and feels big. The RTR has been designed with compact dimensions in mind; which might be great for cutting corners but might not find favor among some bikers. Also on the move it’s not that easy to differentiate the new Apache RTR 160 from the older Apache 150. The racing stripes can only been seen by the rider sitting on top of the bike and a keen eye is needed to look out for the front Petal Shaped Discs and the alloy levers. Only when you seen the bright LED tail lamps at the rear or when you see the stunning “Yellow” colored (exclusive to the RTR) Apache, you will realize that it was the RTR which whizzed past you.
The size of the Pulsar DTSi 150 will manage to please majority of Indians. It is neither too big nor too small but just right. The chiseled looks and the extra features available on the Pulsar also manage to give it a handsome and up market appeal. The only thing that might go against its looks is that Pulsar’s are ubiquitous in every city, on every street and virtually around every corner of India. Familiarity might breed contempt for some.
Both Siva and I liked the big stance of the Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme but in the end we voted the Pulsar DTSi 150 and the Apache RTR 160 as joint winners as the Best looking 150-160 cc bike.
Riding Position:
Most Comfortable Riding Position: CBZ XtremeMost Sporty Riding Position: TVS Apache RTR 160
Strange it might sound but on the RTR you will soon find that you have an alter ego called “Rossi"
The CBZ Xtreme has the most comfortable riding position among the three bikes. The rider sits upright on the CBZ Xtreme without any strain on his wrists. Not that the CBZ Xtreme has a commuter oriented riding stance. The footrests are in fact nicely rearset to give that sporty feeling. The CBZ Xtreme manages to please both worlds.
The Apache RTR 160 is the one with the most overt sporty riding position. TVS makes no attempt to please the commuters this time. The rider sits with the most rearset footrests among the three bikes and crouched on the low set clip on handlebars. Strange it might sound but on the RTR you will soon find that you have an alter ego called “Rossi”. But this very sporty riding position might translate into aching wrists on long drives.
The riding position of the Pulsar DTSi 150 can be best described as neither as sporty as the Apache nor as upright as the CBZ Xtreme.
Siva on the Xtreme
Ride and Handling:
Best Ride: Bajaj Pulsar DTSi 150Best Handling: TVS Apache RTR 160
The Pulsar DTSi has the most plush ride quality among the three bikes. The Gas filled rear shocks of the Pulsar should actually be the prescription for every biker in the country with a bad back. The Apache RTR also features gas filled rear shocks but since TVS had a racing bike in its mind while designing the Apache, the RTR has a stiffer setup for its shock absorbers to aid quick handling and turns. The CBZ Xtreme has the most stiff set up in terms of ride quality. The culprit here is definitely the lack of gas filled rear shock absorbers.
The Best Handling bike among the three is definitely the RTR followed closely by the CBZ Xtreme. The stiff set ups has its own advantages when it comes to handling.
Engine Power/Performance:
Most Powerful : TVS Apache RTR 160Most Refined Engine: CBZ Xtreme
On paper the RTR has the most powerful of these three engines. After our test ride we can safely say that the RTR is not just a paper tiger but is definitely the most powerful 150-160 CC bike on Indian roads. It is followed by the CBZ Xtreme and then the Pulsar DTSi 150. The CBZ Xtreme has the most refined engine among these three followed by the Pulsar. Vibrations crept in the Apache RTR around 4500 RPM. The RTR 160 is more refined than the older Apache 150 but as we found out in our test ride, TVS still haven’t ironed the vibrations out completely.
Gearbox
Best Gearbox: CBZ Xtreme
The CBZ Xtreme has the best gearbox followed by the Apache RTR 160 and then the Pulsar DTSi 150. The gearbox of the Pulsar has improved from its earlier versions but it still remains its Achilles Heel. We encountered no false neutrals on the Pulsar but the shifts are lifeless even though they are smooth.
Fuel Efficiency:
Most Fuel Efficient: Bajaj Pulsar DTSi 150 (According to Aug 2007 issue of Autocar India)
If the RTR gives a mileage of anything above 50 Km/l, then I’ll accept that TVS engineers have learnt to find a way around the laws of Physics. After all, “Can we have the cake and eat it too..??”
Fuel efficiency is one aspect which we definitely did not and could not have checked in our brief test ride at the showrooms. But the August 2007 issue of Autocar India carries a comparision between these three bikes. According to the magazine the Bajaj Pulsar is the most frugal with mileage of around 50 Km/l. The CBZ Xtreme comes in next with mileage a little bit below the Pulsar. According to the August 2007 issue of the Autocar India the Apache RTR delivers an overall mileage of around 42 Km/l. These figures are of course expected since the RTR is the most powerful among the trio.
But what comes in as a surprise is the Test Ride of the Apache RTR 160 published in the August 2007 issue of Overdrive Magazine. Overdrive has quoted a mileage figure of 55 Km/l in the City..!! Hhmm… If the RTR gives a mileage of anything above 50 Km/l, then I’ll accept that TVS engineers have learnt to find a way around the laws of Physics. After all, “Can we have the cake and eat it too..??”
Verdict:
- Siva:
After the test ride I ask Siva as to given a choice which bike would he prefer among these three. Siva said he liked the way the RTR pulled ahead but he found the RTR too small and compact for his 5 ft 10 inch frame. He liked the way the CBZ handled and pulled effortlessly. He also felt most comfortable on the CBZ Xtreme compared to the other two. But in the end Siva said he would probably choose the Bajaj Pulsar DTSi 150 over the other two. Siva said that for him the CBZ Xtreme loses only by a small margin to the Pulsar. The reasons he gave for his decision against the CBZ Xtreme were its odd looks coupled by the lack of features and relatively poor fit and finish. Siva also confided in me that he has enamored by the “Pulsar” brand since a long time. And that actually has helped him favor the Pulsar 150 more than the CBZ Xtreme.
- Me:
Had I been given a choice to choose among these three bikes I would have definitely gone ahead and plumped in for the TVS Apache RTR 160. I just liked the way I felt totally in control of the bike, its stable and predictable handling, it’s aggressive riding position and the pull from its powerful engine. There definitely are vibrations from the bike but so does the Yamaha RX100 which I ride. As for the uncertain fuel efficiency of the RTR… Well, I never really care much about that.
Conclusion:
Hero Honda has really messed up the styling of a brilliant bike. If only had it got the styling of the CBZ Xtreme somewhat close to the original Hero Honda CBZ, it definitely would have appealed to lot more bikers.
Bajaj is definitely reaping the benefits of having taken the care to build a Brand around the “Pulsar” name. There are many who have grown up dreaming of owning a Pulsar. Bajaj just needs to take care to nurture the “Pulsar” brand; a job which I think Bajaj is doing extraordinarily well.
TVS has had enough of its conservative approach to making bikes and trying to catch up with Bajaj. In one clean move it has decided to appeal to the other extreme by ceasing the production of the Apache 150 and pushing only the RTR 160. But purely for business concern, I fear that TVS might have gone a bit more than it should have had. The RTR might put off people looking for a comfortable 150 C.C bike to potter sedately around in town. But the enthusiast in me isn’t complaining.
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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.
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