Before talking abt the bike, a brief intro abt me. I am 22 yrs old, toiling in an IT company in Bangalore; so my utilization is some odd 40km daily but thru the busiest roads (indr ngr to ITPL) in peak hours. This is my first bike and before this I had never ridden a bike (other than occasionally -some 1-2 km trip). Being the first bike and that too buying it with my OWN money, I wanted an exclusive and special bike. I test drove Pulsar 180 ug 4, p200; but felt it a little too gigantic for me and had hard time in controlling it. (I am 5'5"; 65kg). Those wr good bikes, but not 4 me. Then went for Yamaha,- r15 was awesome, but expensive; fz was also too good in handling/control and engine refinement but stripped looks esp the headlight, silencer, speedometer console was more like a toy (its a personal opinion). Unicorn, karizma, hunk - all too huge for me. .Few weeks back, I drove my frnd’s apache 150 (old version) and was blown over. Not having much experience in biking, this bike way too good in handling dept, even for a novice like me, outshining pulsars and cbzs. So, I always had in my mind, buying apache but then did sway a little towards pulsars because of power in 180, 200cc. That’s when TVS came with this new 180 cc. I set off to take a test drive on 22th june with a friend of mine who is a bike expert. He drove it first and said its one of the best (Indian) bikes he has ever driven and best from TVS stable. But I had a few problems during TEST DRIVE. (ONLY during test drive) So pls READ FULLY.
First, u have to keep the legs in inward position, mostly in bikes we keep our knee joint in almost 90 degree but here the foot rest is just in parallel to front seat, so ur legs are curled inwards. They told me its some racing style, but i didn’t like it at that time. Then, power of 180 cc was a great deal to handle esp in 1st gear, I was making fun of myself there. Then the rear disk brake, it was so awkward, moment u apply it, the bike stops abruptly and engine shuts down. But then Height was perfect, Clip on handle makes a firmer feel and even in those tongue-tied moments I was in control of the (body of) bike and not the bike was harnessing me. I liked the guise and feel, and in other bikes (yamahas n pulsars), I botched more. So booked it nevertheless after 4 days.
I got the delivery the very next day, complete with reg no n all. Tristar motors, indiranagar are decent ppl but r very smart, so u got to be smarter. I was attended by Mr. Raju, decent lad. First they didn’t give me invoice, had to push them for it. Then, the imp thing- u get 2 pieces of rear fender or rear mud guard, 1 for racing and other for rain. They nattily kept mum about it, luckily had seen the apache website, I knew abt it, so they had to give it. The helmet lock was not working properly, so had to go some 2-3 times to get it reinstated. Finally, they lied to me that would be getting my RC book smart card in 4-5 days. Now they are saying it will take more than a month. Haggled a lot and got a few accessories seat covers, turn light buzzers for free.
The terrible time was during delivery as my bike connoisseur friend (whom I mentioned above) couldn’t make it because of some imperative office work. Coming to know of it at the eleventh hour, couldn’t make any other arrangements also. So finally, there I was with one of the preeminent bikes and a neophyte driver(prospective racer though). But I put up a gutsy, intrepid facade in front of the showroom ppl and started to roll the bike- 1st gear, 2nd gear, 3rd. I dared not step above it. But the worst was yet to come, the bike bunged up after 5km. One passerby told me to feed it with fuel. Luckily at some 100-150m, there was a petrol pump. So guys fill petrol immediately after delivery or better still carry some petrol, these bike dealers are so misers. Somehow, driving at 30-40 speed I reached home, parked the vehicle, wiped it, and admired it but then the beauty had to sleep alone in the garage, he he...
Next morning, wonder of wonders, the front tubeless tyre is flat; was really pissed off by the development. It was not a puncture but tyre pressure was just 14psi against recommended 25psi. Rear tyre was 42 psi against 32psi. One thing is clear PDI or pre delivery inspection is just for namesake. So make sure, u check AIR also.
I practised some 50km for 2 mornings and tada! the bike was in full control of mine. The stance no longer bothered, in fact it is awesome. U sit leaning a little front and ur legs a little back thereby ur routing a little weight of ur body towards the handle bar, this supplements the handling and controlling of bike. The Rear Disk brake is powerful and compliments the front disk in slowing and stopping, but then there is no ABS so u have to use the brake wisely, and moreover the rear brake can never STOP the bike. The height was just what the doctor ordered. The best part is beastly sound that no other apache has. Eventhough, the looks are breathtaking and awe-inspiring, but simple and natural too. So ppl of all age and gender r liking it. I mean I know of uncles n aunties making comments on styling of even R15. U know, perceptions differs. It is exclusive, a good justification for not buying pulsar and (as my younger bro puts it), steering is not inside a big cavity as in stunner, karizma, p220 etc. At every signal, parking lots ppl ask me the price, mileage and how’s the bike? I feel so proud at those times, I mean, I don’t have to tell ppl that i bought a new bike, they know it, every 1 gets to know it; almost the same feeling when I bought Indigo CS last year. I am getting a mileage of around 42-45kmpl, which is good for a 180 cc bike. The bike is too good for my daily usage as I save a considerable amount of time than travelling in car or bus and save money too. I am yet to master the art of zigzagging through the traffic. But runs like crazy, its so difficult to keep it below 50kmph (stipulated for first 1000 kms-running in period. Be it cornering or braking or through heavy traffic, the controlling is poised. Occasionally, violating the specified speed limit, this bike comes 1st out of traffic signal even by a greenhorn like me. The bike accelerates really quick, in less than 10 seconds, u reach 80-85kmph without even ur realization, u feel ur driving at some 50kmph but speed is actually 80, such is the behaviour of this bike. I touched 118kmph as max speed.There is a little vibration though if u r not in correct gear, u got to lower gear if u slow down, can’t pull it at low speed at higher gears, but a friend told me that’s because of high engine power. Also, the sound of horn is really bad, loud enough but doesn’t fall in correct pitch, considering the power of bike. So will change it.
So précis is bike behaves elegantly even at the hands of beginner like me. I have no regret yet on my choice of bike. Even if I am an apprentice in field of biking, I will definitely recommend this bike to anyone, who likes performance and those quick manoeuvres. I have completed nearly 500kms and will update you more on it after the imperative first service.
Till then, Happy Riding folks!!!
Regards,
MADhav.
mailto: madhav@live.in
First, u have to keep the legs in inward position, mostly in bikes we keep our knee joint in almost 90 degree but here the foot rest is just in parallel to front seat, so ur legs are curled inwards. They told me its some racing style, but i didn’t like it at that time. Then, power of 180 cc was a great deal to handle esp in 1st gear, I was making fun of myself there. Then the rear disk brake, it was so awkward, moment u apply it, the bike stops abruptly and engine shuts down. But then Height was perfect, Clip on handle makes a firmer feel and even in those tongue-tied moments I was in control of the (body of) bike and not the bike was harnessing me. I liked the guise and feel, and in other bikes (yamahas n pulsars), I botched more. So booked it nevertheless after 4 days.
I got the delivery the very next day, complete with reg no n all. Tristar motors, indiranagar are decent ppl but r very smart, so u got to be smarter. I was attended by Mr. Raju, decent lad. First they didn’t give me invoice, had to push them for it. Then, the imp thing- u get 2 pieces of rear fender or rear mud guard, 1 for racing and other for rain. They nattily kept mum about it, luckily had seen the apache website, I knew abt it, so they had to give it. The helmet lock was not working properly, so had to go some 2-3 times to get it reinstated. Finally, they lied to me that would be getting my RC book smart card in 4-5 days. Now they are saying it will take more than a month. Haggled a lot and got a few accessories seat covers, turn light buzzers for free.
The terrible time was during delivery as my bike connoisseur friend (whom I mentioned above) couldn’t make it because of some imperative office work. Coming to know of it at the eleventh hour, couldn’t make any other arrangements also. So finally, there I was with one of the preeminent bikes and a neophyte driver(prospective racer though). But I put up a gutsy, intrepid facade in front of the showroom ppl and started to roll the bike- 1st gear, 2nd gear, 3rd. I dared not step above it. But the worst was yet to come, the bike bunged up after 5km. One passerby told me to feed it with fuel. Luckily at some 100-150m, there was a petrol pump. So guys fill petrol immediately after delivery or better still carry some petrol, these bike dealers are so misers. Somehow, driving at 30-40 speed I reached home, parked the vehicle, wiped it, and admired it but then the beauty had to sleep alone in the garage, he he...
Next morning, wonder of wonders, the front tubeless tyre is flat; was really pissed off by the development. It was not a puncture but tyre pressure was just 14psi against recommended 25psi. Rear tyre was 42 psi against 32psi. One thing is clear PDI or pre delivery inspection is just for namesake. So make sure, u check AIR also.
I practised some 50km for 2 mornings and tada! the bike was in full control of mine. The stance no longer bothered, in fact it is awesome. U sit leaning a little front and ur legs a little back thereby ur routing a little weight of ur body towards the handle bar, this supplements the handling and controlling of bike. The Rear Disk brake is powerful and compliments the front disk in slowing and stopping, but then there is no ABS so u have to use the brake wisely, and moreover the rear brake can never STOP the bike. The height was just what the doctor ordered. The best part is beastly sound that no other apache has. Eventhough, the looks are breathtaking and awe-inspiring, but simple and natural too. So ppl of all age and gender r liking it. I mean I know of uncles n aunties making comments on styling of even R15. U know, perceptions differs. It is exclusive, a good justification for not buying pulsar and (as my younger bro puts it), steering is not inside a big cavity as in stunner, karizma, p220 etc. At every signal, parking lots ppl ask me the price, mileage and how’s the bike? I feel so proud at those times, I mean, I don’t have to tell ppl that i bought a new bike, they know it, every 1 gets to know it; almost the same feeling when I bought Indigo CS last year. I am getting a mileage of around 42-45kmpl, which is good for a 180 cc bike. The bike is too good for my daily usage as I save a considerable amount of time than travelling in car or bus and save money too. I am yet to master the art of zigzagging through the traffic. But runs like crazy, its so difficult to keep it below 50kmph (stipulated for first 1000 kms-running in period. Be it cornering or braking or through heavy traffic, the controlling is poised. Occasionally, violating the specified speed limit, this bike comes 1st out of traffic signal even by a greenhorn like me. The bike accelerates really quick, in less than 10 seconds, u reach 80-85kmph without even ur realization, u feel ur driving at some 50kmph but speed is actually 80, such is the behaviour of this bike. I touched 118kmph as max speed.There is a little vibration though if u r not in correct gear, u got to lower gear if u slow down, can’t pull it at low speed at higher gears, but a friend told me that’s because of high engine power. Also, the sound of horn is really bad, loud enough but doesn’t fall in correct pitch, considering the power of bike. So will change it.
So précis is bike behaves elegantly even at the hands of beginner like me. I have no regret yet on my choice of bike. Even if I am an apprentice in field of biking, I will definitely recommend this bike to anyone, who likes performance and those quick manoeuvres. I have completed nearly 500kms and will update you more on it after the imperative first service.
Till then, Happy Riding folks!!!
Regards,
MADhav.
mailto: madhav@live.in
