Should you buy TVS Apache 200 4V?

If you're looking for entry level performance bike in Indian market The TVS's Apache 200 4V is obvious bike to choose among.
After long time period TVS finally given it's flagship product in January 2016 but is it worth buying? let's dive into the details?

Powered by 197.75 cc carb or fuel injected motor making around 20 bhp of strong performance at around 8,500 relatively high rpm , It's the most powerful Apache yet complimented by 4 valves engine can stay raging into higher power bands unlike previous Apache's which were loosing out it's breath into higher rpm's , So if you're looking to upgrade from previous gen Apache or even other 150cc commuter motorcycle Apache 200 4V is way to go.

So you're the person who like's to lean hard into the corner? no problem TVS Apache 200 4V can do that for you, The previous gen Apache was no different all were perfect weapon of choice for corner craving, But this one feels more rigid and confidence inspiring. Although TVS haven't used Twin spar frame but they have improved double cradle frame from previous gen Apache maybe for cost cutting reasons , But flick ability and maneuverability at corners definitely feels more than satisfyingly good.

You might be a person who likes to do lots of touring over bike, So you might thinking, do Apache ticks checklist for me? From my point of view It does, While testing out speed varying from 95 to 110 kmph I was able to get constant fuel economy from 42 to 47. So even with relatively small 12 liter fuel tank you can go hard around 400 kilometers before emptying whole tank. As for wind-blast it's just universal truth that street fighter comes with that issue , with the use of good helmate and some after market wind shield you can sort out that problem.

As for sitting position it's definitely more on sportier side rearset foot pegs and slight forward biased handlebars basically street-fighter posture a person upto 85kg or even 90 kg can ride comfortably for non stop 150 kilometers without problems.

Finally best aspect of bike is it's price point,  ranging from 1 to 1.2 lakh on road various options such as gripper tyre's ,ABS and fuel injection one can choose what he/she feels perfect for him.                 

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Why did Bajaj Auto Relaunched Pulsar 200NS!

While I was busy in different things that's the reason I was unable to update blog for long time, So I missed out lots of things going in Indian two wheeler market Now we'll try to look through many things in depth in upcoming posts.

Red color option In first version when it was launched in 2012. 

Let's start with 200NS a motorcycle which really changed motorcycling scene in India when It was launched in 2012 why ? well because It was the only motorcycle during that time that had such insane price to performance ratio, You were getting close to 24 bhp high revving bike under 1 lakh Indian rupee which was mind blowing considering it's modern hardware and equipment.
Then Bajaj launched another successful Pulsar RS 200 it was another phenomenal product from Bajaj Auto, So much so that to increase the production capacity company has to stop the production of 200NS to fulfill demands of RS200.

2017 Version with different color scheme

Then what ? Bajaj tried to do new adventure sports experiment with AS150 and AS200 bikes , Specifically speaking of AS 200 it's just NS200 with refined motor and semi fair front end, The hard core fans of 200NS were really faced disappointment by companies decision and many of 200NS's fans were forced to buy AS200. But many of automobile Industry enthusiasts Including me, were knew that due to huge fan followings Bajaj has to start 200NS production again. And as expected Bajaj auto has relaunched 200NS in January 2017 with BSIV regulation.

This time the price bracket were around 1.1 lakh on road with many improvements such as grippy MRF tyre's , 5 map CDI unit instead of 2, not much has been changed from motor perspective it's getting same high revving 199 cc 4 valves SOHC setup.
Currently 200NS is fighting with TVS's flagship Apache 200 4v but that bike doesn't seems to performing well in terms of sales numbers why ? we'll see that in upcoming posts.             
  

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Spied TVS Apache 200 close observation

Indonesia is huge marketplace for TVS, where TVS have it's whole lineup, some of mopets are specifically sold in Indonesia due to market specification so hence it's no surprise if TVS wishes to test it's upcoming Apache 200 in Indonesia.

Spied sometimes back in India this upcoming sporty TVS will go head to head against Pulsar range in It's displacement capacity, This new Apache will be powered by 200 CC 4 valve SOHC setup it could be 2 valve setup as well , we'll discuss it further in article.

First lets have some closer look on this mean machine.

As you can see above this image beside is snapshot taken from video and the guy who have taken this video claiming that this machine was cruising at 110 - 120 kmph on highways, which means newer engine have tones of performance on the tap,
The older Apache was known for its punchy mid range but it was lacking in top end performance which is required on highways, seems like TVS have sorted out that performance issue with newer power plant.

 The side profile seems pretty sleek with Hero CBZ sports like appearance due to longer mudflap but as you can see in Indonesian spyshot , the mudflap is removable for more sporty look, the front dome have minimalestic typical street fighter look, something which we already have seen in TVS Draken concept.

 

 The headlight cowl is not completely visible so it's hard to imagine it's final look, but what you can see is absent windshield n front of console for more streetfighter appeal something which we see in bigger streetfighter bikes like BMW S1000R or KTM's Superduke 1290.

Apache have clip on handlebars and fuel cap at right hand side rather than in center, moreover split seats are clearly visible in this picture.

  Here you can see brake hoses for rear disk brake and engine cooling fines which confirms engine is not liquid cool it could be just oil cool.

Engine appears to be taller which suggest bike will be in square bore and stroke or longer stoke, The idea of longer stoke gets support from longer exhaust pipe to suppress loud scream of longer stroke motor. Remember exhaust canister of  Royal Enfield ? it's longer because longer stoke motor produces heavy thumping sound.

and if TVS decides to develop bike which is high on torque rather than horse power TVS might ditch the idea of 4 valve in favor of 2 for punchy mid range torque something previous generation Apache is renounce for.

  The Instrument cluster seems come with all the important information and it's all digital!
The digital tacho have redline define at 12 k rpm and thus engine should surely climb 10 k rpm at least.
The gear indicator is visible with clock beside,
The big digits for current speed takes place at center below which fuel indicator is present , which the wording RACE ON might be welcome text on console.

with this Apache TVS will try to  strike upon the performace segement bikes which costs around 1 lakh , so there's no doubt TVS will try to keep price of this TVS apache 200 under 1 lakh

Feel free to post your comment below let us know what you feel for this next generation TVS Apache.    

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2016 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 concept

Suzuki's flagship liter-class machine is least updated motorcycle in market to its segment, thankfully late but not least Suzuki have understood GSX-R1000 is needed complete overhaul.

Two weeks earlier Suzuki have uploaded following video as GSX-R 1000 concept highlighting updated technologies in 2016 GSX-R 1000 machines , although it say it's concept but final version will be most likely same as this.

 

The video highlights upon many newer things employing in GSX-R1000 but among all VVT tech is said to be vital one , what Suzuki have done is created variable cam timing profile for valve opening and closing optimized for engine response is specific condition, Suzuki have patented this VVT tech so you can understand its not something marketing gimmick rather it could be game changer. 

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Ducati CEO clears about their V twin engine strategy

Few months back there were lots of rumers regarding four cylinder powerplant for Ducati's upcoming flagship motorcycle which will be replacement for existing Panigale.

Now it's obvious for one to think like that just because Ducati's legendary L twins motors are leaving their displacement category way ahead of class. because twin needs more displacements to match the performance of four cylinder competitors which revs like hell!

Interestingly romor got some push because Ducati facing restrictions in their bike running in World Superbike series. But that's all over now because Ducati CEO talk with MCN saying 
"I can confirm there is no officially confirmed project at Ducati for a four-cylinder engine to replace the Panigale V-twin. There is no Ducati four-cylinder superbike planned. “We have a V4 MotoGP bike of course. Maybe someone got confused!

That's Domenicali's words as CEO but we already know that replacement for Panigale is already in works.

So at least for this moment it's confirmed that We can't see V4 Ducati's anytime soon, but it will happen for sure, just the way happened with Ducati's Moto GP bike , afterall V4 are no match for V2 no matter that how much modern V twin engine gets either you have to increase displacement which is what Ducati doing right now or get extra cylinders for aggressive powerband.


Source - MCN

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Honda hints towards hardcore 250cc machine with it's "Light Weight Super Sports" Concept

We do have lovely touring motorcycle from Honda which can munch thousands of highway miles without any problem but when things gets little hyper at cornering CBR 250R starts to appear  bouncy and it's single cylinder motor shows lack of performance in the segment where bikes from Yamaha, KTM and Kawasaki's are setting fire.

The above leak image of Honda's "Light Weight Super Sport" concept , which will debut at the Tokyo Motor show, the Honda is surly going to get some special attention with concept which appearing to be Honda CBR 250RR.

The Honda emphasized "Light Weight Super Sport" concept by following statement

Designed with the key phrase “strong presence”, this next-generation super sport concept model features a look possessing a sense of speed derived from its long nose and low crouching position. The combination of surfaces – creating a sense of hardness and solidity – and sharp edges, emphasize the aggressive look. Moreover, the exterior featuring matte-black-based low-contrast graphics underlines its beauty and eye-catching form.  

The statement and image hinting towards different machine than existing CBR 250R or even CBR 300R , look at the different chassis, the preciously zooming reveals further details about parallel twin power plant for high revving performance just like Ninja 300 and YZF R3.

Heat in Indian motorcycling is getting high and with every newer launch it's getting tough for CBR250R to survive, So hopefully Honda will take responsibility to take this quarter litter 250RR  in India when machine make it's final way for assembly line.   

 

    

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Yamaha unveil R1S

Few days back Yamaha just revealed this R1S on their US website. So at the first look we got confused, is this higher spect R1 or something different?

It turns out to be lower spect than standard R1, So whats hold back this new R1S got over standard R1. Well not too much, the S model gets steel piston connecting rods (conrods) and exhaust headers instead of titanium ones, aluminum for wheels, engine covers and sump instead of magnesium and result ? You get extra 4 kg metal over standard R1. The gear shift assist missing which comes standard on R1 but good news is despit of being lower spect, R1S gets Yamaha's top notch traction control and inertial measurement unit.

So all these factors together makes R1S cheaper than standard R1 ,but how much. In the US R1S will be $14990, which is $2000 less than standard R1, that's some good amount of saving. I've checked on Indian Yamaha site but they didn't mentioned anything about R1S.

The steel conrods on R1S makes more inertial mass which makes fractional difference in achieving top revs compare lighter conrods. but we suspect R1S might ending up producing slightly higher torque in lower rpm due to same reason!

   


    

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TVS-BMW's collaboration 300 cc bike revealed

BMW cleverly unveiled their upcoming 300 cc machine which we all know been under development by code name K3 , BMW revealed this concept yesterday at bike show in Brazil and we can see it's actually their upcoming smaller bike which will also flagship Apache for TVS.

The K3 project is under development for quit some time now and there's chances for multiple version of motorcycle for this 300 cc engine platform. There's highly chances for being upcoming Apache form of K3 will be full faired.

The above image reveals smaller but important detail about upcoming bike, Concept Stunt G 310 has longer swingarm but still retains shorter wheelbase. If TVS plans to launch this machine in street fighter format then surely it'll be blast in competition with orange KTM machine.

Bike is build for purpose and that sole purpose appears to take down on Duke's and RC's (in faired variant), The tubular trellis frame is visible holding 300 cc power plant and we can expect figures like above 30 bhp on such machine.

At the point there's no clear words from TVS regarding project K3, but BMW said in press release about their stunt Concept  "BMW Concept Stunt G 310 – Street. Style. Stunt.

Munich/São Paulo. With the world premiere of the BMW Concept Stunt G 310 at South America’s largest motorcycle show, BMW Motorrad is presenting a completely new side: the uncompromising interpretation of an aggressive and agile stunt bike based on a single cylinder study.

Thanks to his experience as a four-times World and European stunt riding champion, Chris Pfeiffer, contributed to the realisation of the BMW Concept Stunt 310. “Stunt riding is a demanding and multi-faceted sport. Ideally you need a compact, agile bike which is also stable and robust at the same time. You have to achieve the ideal balance between aggressiveness and control”, explains Chris Pfeiffer.

Compact proportions, highest-level agility.

The BMW Concept Stunt G 310 combines all these qualities and makes clear at first sight: the newly developed 1-cylinder engine allows for very compact proportions thanks to its innovative concept. The special feature is the cylinder which is inclined towards the rear and the cylinder head which is rotated by 180 degrees. This permits optimum placement of the engine in the motorcycle and a short wheelbase in spite of the long swinging arm thereby making the motorcycle very agile. The low-slung front and the raised tail section promise fast and nimble changes of direction as well as dynamic riding. By shifting the intake area towards the front while also moving the exhaust system towards the rear it was possible to place the rear silencer in an upright standing position underneath the seat between engine and spring strut. In this way the silencer is optimally protected and does not limit the stunt rider’s freedom of movement. Even though you may hardly see it, you will not overhear it. Once started, the sound of the BMW Concept Stunt G 310 is sure to attract attention.

Emotional surface design in typical BMW Motorrad style.

The emotional side view of the Concept Bike is characterised by the powerful three-dimensional design of its surfaces. The precise lines and the expressive interplay of the contours create a sense of movement and speed even when the bike is stationary. What is especially striking in this respect are the side wing contours of the fuel tank which significantly emphasise this effect. All lines seem to generate a sense of movement towards the front wheel and underline the playful ease of handling of the BMW Concept Stunt G 310. Simultaneously the bike’s surfaces create a compact and distinctive silhouette emphasising the favourable centering of masses around the engine block.

The slim front view of the BMW Concept Stunt G 310 also draws attention to its high level of agility. The expressively modelled surfaces of the fuel tank result in a broad shoulder section which is underscored further by the design of the front facia. Similar to its front, the raised, filigree tail promises playful cornering and handling. It shifts the visual centre of gravity to the front even further and in combination with the engine spoiler emphasises the front wheel even more.

Extensive stunt modifications.

The numerous modifications are typical for a stunt bike; in making them Chris Pfeiffer brought his many years of experience as a stunt professional to bear in cooperation with the BMW Motorrad Design Team. Their single aim is to provide the best possible handling properties for the stunt rider’s feats on the asphalt. The lockable throttle ensures constant propulsion even when the rider’s hand has to let go of the throttle grip. In addition a slightly altered gear ratio secures greater propulsive force to the rear wheels at low engine speeds while the intentionally oversized rear wheel brake ensures reliable deceleration in every situation. A second, even larger rear wheel brake allows the rider to brake the rear wheel using only his middle finger, in case his right foot is not on the footrest in certain stunts. The additional brake lever is specially placed on the left side of the handlebars and can even be operated at the same time as the clutch. So-called axle pegs on the front axle and in the seat area give the rider additional options for placing his feet which go way beyond the possibilities offered by normal foot rests. The distinctive red crash bars provide additional protection for the engine. A special highlight on the BMW Concept Stunt G 310 is the “stunt tail” which was specifically developed by BMW Motorrad and which has not been seen in this shape on a stunt bike. It is milled from solid aluminium and features an opening in the centre, which offers the stunt rider a hold for his foot. Together with the non-slip seat, the aluminium component also ensures a stable seating position when riding thanks to its shape.

Modern colour and material design.

The colour concept features the classic BMW motorsport colour white as the base colour as well as red and blue in combination with the national colours of the Brazilian flag in a modern interpretation. The spectacular neon green and yellow colour and material design is certain to attract attention. The bright neon colours extend along the entire body thereby emphasising the dynamic lines and surfaces of the bike. The core of the bike, the drivetrain, features darker colours and moves the visual centre of gravity even lower. Edgar Heinrich, Head of BMW Motorrad Design sums up: “The BMW Concept Stunt G 310 is a real eye-catcher. Everything on this concept seems to be shouting out to ride it and defy the laws of gravity.”'

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2015 Bajaj Avenger !

If you ask general people which Indian sportbike they like the answer will be undoubtedly Pulsar ! That's right people Pulsar made Bajaj famous and that's because radical marketing strategy. Bajaj made Pulsar the whole new series consisting of bikes from lower displacement to the higher displacement and that's the success formula for Pulsar.

Now it seems like Bajaj is going to try same strategic move with Avenger too! and it's going to happen sooner than you thought, Avenger was started it's journey as Kawasaki Eliminator roughly 10 years before. Then gradually Bajaj given started to install Pulsar powerplant into Avenger but real thing with Avenger happened when it got powerplant from Pulsar 220. Unknowingly Bajaj Introduced option for Pulsar 220 although these two are radically different bikes but personally I have seen lots of people getting confuse between these two bikes.

Heavy resemblance from Street 750

Now come to these spyshots what you're seeing here is Avenger street. How do we know name ? look at the side panels ! Bike does have small but apparent changes like all black treatment , newer rims, front fork covers, mechanically bike is said to have 200 cc engine and you can see it's oil cooler which means it's powerplant from Pulsar 200 which was discontinued after coming of 200 NS.

Visually bike looks more catchy to eyes, the newer silencer might give nice growl from cruiser perspective. Honestly this new Avenger street reminds me alot about Harley Davidson Street 750.
The alloy rims will help to install tubless tyre sets.

It is expected that Bajaj will roll this newer avenger in this Diwali festival season, the ongoing  Avenger 220 model will get update as well and few sources coming around suggests that Bajaj is also working on smaller Avenger motorcycle something between 150 to 180 cc displacement range.

We're expecting this newer avenger will get prices tag range of 90 thousands to 1 lakh onroad in India.

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