TVS Apache 150 Test Drive and Review
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Posted On :
Mar-14-2011
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Article Word Count :
918
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TVS racing DNA came to roads with the introduction of Apache 150 during the 2005 end. Competing with the already best selling Pulsar and the ultra refined Unicorn, the initial years were quite tough for Apache 150. Nevertheless, TVS gave a facelift to the Apache 150 with the usage of clear lens and multi reflection for the head lamps and tail lamps.
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TVS racing DNA came to roads with the introduction of Apache 150 during the 2005 end. Competing with the already best selling Pulsar and the ultra refined Unicorn, the initial years were quite tough for Apache 150. Nevertheless, TVS gave a facelift to the Apache 150 with the usage of clear lens and multi reflection for the head lamps and tail lamps. Did the Fiero’s replaced bike has significant improvement in ergonomics, ride and handling? Lets explore now.
Apache is smaller when compared to other bikes in the segment, the reasons are the shorter design and again a shorter wheelbase. But it doesn’t make the Apache fall short in terms of performance. The clear lens headlamp with larger pilot lamps, the instrument cluster with tripod arrangement has dull looking speed fonts, with tachometer on the left and fuel gauge on the right. A button to reset the trip-meter is also found. The tank has the slight muscular bulge on the front sides, the engine being the stressed sculpture is similar to the TVS Fiero arrangement. The seats are curvy for the rider and flat for the pillion.
The commuter like grab rail has a glossy finish. Clear lens tail lamp is not so attractive, and full orange indicators stick out promptly. The red colored rear shock springs came with all the bikes. The broad heat shield of silencer and completely covering chain guard are practical aspects. On a deeper observation, the engine and the rear foot pet holding rods all are silvery, while the chain set is completely black. The head toe shifter and rear brakes are pretty commuterish. The graphics are very much simple, just an angled “Apache” sticker on the tank and a small TVS graphics on the edge of the battery covers. Among many colors, the red Apache 150 is the best in its looks.
The 147.5 air cooled, 4 stroke, single cylinder engine of Apache 150 generates 13.7 bhp of maximum power and 12.3 Nm of peak torque. The engine lacks refinement, which is a surprise as its predecessor Suzuki Fiero, although lacked punchy pickup had a refined power mill.
The power torque ratios are tuned for more pickup and city riding. Apache 150cc engine is mated with 5 speed (1 down and 4 up pattern) gear box. A top speed of 110 kmph and an average mileage of 48 kmpl is what you can expect from this engine.
As I hopped on the Apache, he immediately made a low said handlebar that all most hits that bank than the handlebar is fully turned. Paul is right as might complain that the arrangement of the saddle and the handle. Press starting the engine, the grunt that comes out is louder. While, the gearshifts through the toe-heel lever was good, the clutch action was not that good. at every gear, the response from Apache was impressive, making you to throttle more for quicker acceleration. The low set handle bar inspires more confidence to the rider and the steering’s feedback is tremendously good, that you can brake hard and turn a right angle without loosing balance. While, shorter wheelbase did reduce some cornering fun, the same aspect is what makes the bike, a riding delight in city traffic, as squeezing through traffic and leaving behind others in a stop start signal, can be easily performed with Apache’s sprint raw power. While the high speed rides weren’t the best part of Apache, it still impress with the 110 kmph mark. Of course, I cannot restrain myself from feeling the vibrations all over the bike at those speeds. The impressive shorter time taken by Apache from 0 -100 kmph is worth the praise.
With respect to suspension, the feedback from the shock absorobers are firm, and needs more refinement. The tyres provide average road grip and I felt many occasions, where the tyres locked, added to the shorter wheelbase, a shaky response was obtained during panic braking. Amazingly, during accident, Apache absorbs more shocks and protect the rider, also are the intelligent designs which doesn’t bring out any unnecessary sharp edges and thereby reduce injuries to the rider, if at all the bike falls sideways. The 240 mm disc at the front and the 130 mm drum at the rear does a good job in bringing the bike to stand still. Riding with a pillion is comfortable in Apache, the heavy steering and the race like sporty feel, might not allow you to have a relaxed ride, especially when you were tired whole day long working in office and returning home, having no idea for racing on the roads. At night, the wider headlamp illumines useful upfront area and provides safer ride to its user.
Apache has a few goodies like the initial pickup, throttling friendly engine and stylish looks. Apache, on the flip side, lacks engine refinement, which is a major concern for segment buyers. The durability of the switches and instruments are impressive, but the engine transferring vibrations to the handlebar inspite of handle weights used, makes it a second choice for high way rides. The flickability and the sprint actions was allured by Apache lovers for quite sometime. A few models are launched hoping that it will top the sales chart, otherwise, the average products will teach good lesson, TVS had extracted all the reasons from the average sales of Apache and finally launched the higher capacity Apache RTR 160.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_TVS Apache 150 Test Drive and Review_55820.aspx
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Author Resource :
Vickynitin is a popular enthusiast on Indian automotives. He writes about TVS and answers many user queries.TVS apache is the best bike in India.
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Keywords :
TVS, Apache, price, mileage, pictures, review, india, test drive,
Category :
Travel and Leisure
:
Travel and Leisure
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