TVS is helping the Apache build some serious muscle. Girish Karkera gets a grip on it.

Race on Sunday, sell on Monday.

That's one of the clichés from the world of motor racing. Not many Indian manufacturers can use this though. Because most of them don't have the balls to compete, or the drive to even think about it. Most, but not all. Take TVS as an exception. Well, I'm not saying they make the world’s most thorough-bred race bikes. But, hell, they try and it's all showing.

TVS won most races during last year’s racing season. It wasn't much of a competition really, more like a whitewash by them. So? You'd ask. You see, all that they learnt through their time on the track is now being used on their street bike – or rather, ready to be used on their flagship, the Apache.

Clamped on with a rather uninspiring nomenclature – RTR (Racing Throttle Response) 160 (cc) – the new Apache, thankfully, isn't a sticker job. Okay, the fuel tank and front fairing and wheels (phew) aren't different, but you're bound to notice the 'racing intent' even when you see it from a distance. In fact, so sure was the Apache design time about the bike's visual appeal vis-as-vis the current 150cc version that they urged us to have a look from a distance first. Yes, you know it is different – the RTR 160 sticker was there and so was an alien yellow colour that we've not yet seen on the bike. Strangely, these were enough to make us go up close and that's when you start noticing the bits and pieces that makes you want to sling your legs across for the ride.

TVS is clear, very clear, about where and how it wants to position the bike. The Apache's entire brand-exercise since its launch in December 2005 has hovered around providing the company with a more youthful image. Funnily, despite its years in racing, the effect never rubbed off on the marque. Probably because it never used it to good effect when it came to the marketing bit. Things have changed since that December.

The RTR 160 is what TVS calls the new street-legal version of its competition Apache. What it means is it gets technology, like spherical combustion chamber, among other things, on the track coupled with law-dictated bits – like a saree guard!

The best way to distinguish the bike is from the rear though with the twin tailamps that's more in-your-face now, literally, with a raised rear suspension and sport really powerful LED lamps. There's a racing stripe running through the centre of the fuel tank and culminating into a high-tech digital instrument cluster (only the tacho is analog) which shows all the regular info bits like fuel left in the bike, two trip meters, odometer and speed, of course. There's also an in-built service reminder that alerts the rider when it's time to visit the workshop. TVS hasn't forgotten the pillion – he/she can't ride faster so there's aluminum foot peg for him/her too. Cool...

Sitting astride, more differences stumble out. Like the clip-on handlebars and a sportier stance with rider footpegs positioned way back. Gearshift pattern stays but it's via a mechanical linkage and only toe-operated. Perfect.

It's even better when you get to use it. Shift is slick and crisp, just like on the current 150cc bike but it is the acceleration that sets it apart. The RTR's wheelbase is now increased to 1290mm but still it's short in comparison to others like Pulsar and CBZ Extreme. TVS says they've extended it to the maximum so that it strikes a balance between handling on the twisty bits while providing appreciable levels of straight-line stability.

Probably if you've ridden the current Apache, you'll appreciate it. But what you'll really love, irrespective of whatever you've ridden, is the acceleration. And the fun starts at the higher ends. Wring it all the way to the 7000 rpm level, shift-up, take it all the way to the 7000rpm level again, shift-up… oh , did I mention that check you have a decent stretch of road ahead? I didn't? Well, then you don't, because the RTR 160 is fast. Real fast, and getting to three digits quickly isn't a problem. The bike feels nice and stable and probably looks like it can go more. The claimed top speed is 118kph and I've been kicking myself for having not tried it.

Well, you see it is easy to get to say 105 after which it needs time. A muted but steady vibration post-90 doesn't help matters either. And you so wish that you could cruise at three-digit figures (which actually you can) without your ear-drums tingling under the helmet with all the shuddering.

With 15.2bhp of power resting in the grip of your right hand, TVS has gone the full hog to see that you are able to reign it well too. So in come – hold your breath – petal disc at the front and that too larger than those on its 150 sibling. So braking is confidence-inspiring but I'm missing something here. Is it the tyre? Possibly, although I'm having trouble putting the entire blame on them…
The hesitation is probably because there doesn't seem to be dearth of grip while cornering. Yes, the bike's overall chassis dynamics help here, but push the bike, lean it as hell you can, and you still manage to exit the turn with your arse on the seat and your dignity intact.

It's all quite impressive, this bike. You see, there lies the problem, not for the Apache RTR 160. But me. I have to find something to criticise. And thankfully, I got it. TVS has taken mega pains to see to it that the RTR 160 gives you the right exhaust note. Sorry (TVS) guys, don't like it. It sounds like the bike's trying too hard to sound like a race bike. Honestly, it doesn't need to. Apparently, the company hired a foreign firm to eliminate the 'noise' from the note. Noise? What noise? I would race the Apache even if it sounded like the Victor. And that's a compliment.