TVS Apache RTR 200

TVS RTR 200 4V is the brand's sportiest motorcycle yet. Styled as a streetfighter, the RTR 200 is compact, aggressive and sharp. The front has a modern looking headlight housed inside a petite bikini fairing which also contains the fully digital speedometer. The fuel tank is edgy and has good knee recesses for better tank holding. The tail section complements the front well by being equally sharp. Also, there are separate seats for the rider and the pillion. However, one of the biggest changes is the mono-suspension at the back highlighting the sports heritage of the company.

RTR is the sportbike range from the Chennai-based company and offers an aggressive riding position. The rider sits in a good balance of upright and lean-forward stances holding a flat handlebar. Foot-pegs are also rear-set enabling better lean angles in corners. The chassis and suspension package are designed with sport riding on priority. The split double cradle frame and especially the mono shock provide sharp handling characteristics under all conditions. However, the ride quality remains comfortable and the motorcycle can be easily ridden on longer durations without much trouble.

RTR 200 is the most powerful RTR and comes with TVS’s first 200cc engine with the 4-valve cylinder head. It is largely air-cooled and assisted by an effective oil-cooling system which keeps the engine oil temperature under control. Power figures are 21 PS at 8,500 RPM and 18.1 NM of torque 7,000 RPM. This is the fuel injected version. The carb version, on the other hand, produces a slightly lower 20.5 PS of power while the same amount of torque. Company claims 0 to 60 km timing for the FI version in 3.9 seconds while a dash to 100 km comes in 12 seconds.

RTR 200 comes with a 5-speed gearbox for extracting all those 21 horses from the 200cc engine. The shifting mechanism is slick with good feedback even under aggressive riding. However, a 6-speed transmission would have been even better especially at the top speed.

RTR 200 comes with one of the best braking packages in its segment. There’s a single 270mm disc brake at the front while the rear tyre is equipped with a 240mm rotor. Both discs are of petal-type. ABS is optional but guarantees better safety in tricky conditions as it prevents the wheels from locking up under hard braking. Tubeless tyres are there as well and do not deflate instantly in case of a puncture.

RTR 200 4V is a sportbike designed to deliver maximum performance from its engine. However, the engine is frugal and isn’t bad on the fuel efficiency aspect. The fuel tank capacity is 12 litres which is good enough for the city and highway rides.