TVS Apache RTR 160: As the clock ticks 5 PM, Mumbai’s roads become a crawling mass of metal, anger and resentment.
Sandwiched between a delivery van and an auto-rickshaw, I’m just happy to be on top of the TVS Apache RTR 160—a motorcycle that’s been slicing its way through India’s congested streets since a lot of today’s riders even had a license to ride.
I’ve owned this machine three years as of last month. Why remain faithful to the Apache when there are newer, flashier models beckoning from showroom floors?
Not really, not exactly, but after spending 23,000km on it, I have praise and criticism that need to be aired out about this old soldier of the Indian 160cc space, especially to potential buyers.
Inside that muscular tank lies a 159.7cc air-cooled motor which generates 16.04 PS and 13.85 Nm in Sport mode (13.32 PS and 12.7 Nm in Urban/Rain modes).
These numbers won’t knock any jaws loose in the year 2025, but they amount to real-world usability that quantitative figures don’t convey.
As from stoplights, the Apache jumps up with surprising enthusiasm. The torque curve is city-friendly, big-end grunt making frequent use of the gear lever unnecessary.
At the first sight of a gap in the traffic, a handful of throttle snaps you safely into gaps others miss and the five speed ’box has a mechanical precision – there’s nothing vague and rubbery about this ’box.
Special mention goes to TVS’s Glide Through Technology that enables the bike to crawl at idle speeds with just clutch modulation. On hour-long commutes in gridlock, my left hand is eternally grateful for this.
The Apache’s frame is another case of everyday practicality being injected with some sporty DNA. Slippery and light at 137 kg, with telescopic forks up front and gas-charged shock absorbers at the rear, it can turn in surprisingly fast.
Whether swerving noxious potholes or sliding through ghat roads on weekend getaways, the control gives you the confidence you would need to be a MotoGP rider.
Brakes on the other hand are petal discs (up, on higher trims) with single channel ABS.
Braking performance is acceptable though an emergency stop reveals that the bite and feedback from the lever has a way to go before matching the best in the business.
In the looks department, the Apache has been gradually updated and the addition of LED headlights and a dash refresh helps prevent the Apache from looking too archaic, it is however still essentially an ageing design when stood alongside more modern rivals.
There’s an ageless quality to its clean lines and proportions that still catch eyes — especially in Racing Red.
The cockpit also saw greater revision, with a new full-digital display with Bluetooth connectivity now included.
Turn-by-turn navigation is nice and adds a new level of convenience, but the small screen isn’t designed to show much information.
For everyday use, the Apache still shines where it matters. Despite my right hand being anything but light, the fuel efficiency has always exceeded 45 kmpl. Running costs are affordable too, with maintenance at 3,000 kms, and parts are priced generally fairly.
Pros:
Outstanding manuverability makes it perfect for crowded city streets
Mid-range pull is strong, so you don’t feel like you need to shift gears constantly
Glide Through Technology cuts traffic fatigue and allows you to pass through the toll without having to roll down your window
Always return 45+ kmpl despite riding the kicks out of it.
Construction quality that is refusing to die after three monsoons
Economical repair and you will find spare parts everywhere!
Bluetooth lets you wirelessly stream audio from your smartphone, laptop or tablet (or any other device that’s Bluetooth-enabled) and the two included microphones.
Cons:
Highway restrictions are felt beyond 90 km/h with some vibrations felt
Engine seems to struggle around triple-digit speeds
Lacks the punch of dual-channel rivals, single-channel ABS does feel inadequate
It is clearly noticeable that travel comfort decreases after 45 minutes of driving.
Headlights could be better even with LED upgrade
Looks older and older compared to new ones
The difference in price to the much more advanced 4V version isn’t much either
Would I buy the Apache RTR 160 again in 2025? That’s complicated. The motorcycle itself, for pure city commuting with occasional weekend jaunts, is still hard to beat at its price point (₹1.21-1.30 lakh ex-showroom).
But if you’re a regular at the highways or are hunting for new age styling, you better explore other options – maybe even stretch the budget for the 4V version.
In a market obsessed with the novel, there’s something delightful about the Apache RTR 160 focusing on doing the basics right. Sometimes, evolution trounces revolution.