TVS Apache RTR 180 facelift review, specifications, pics, top speed, price and details

Engine Performance

Powering the 2013 TVS Apache RTR 180 is a 177.4cc, single cylinder, four stroke, engine that has a max power of 17.3 bhp @ 8500 RPM. The peak torque is pegged at 1.58 kgm @ 6500 RPM. This engine, in a manner typical of all motors with a short-stroke, loves to rev to the moon and revs freely at that. Such is the performance on offer that the engine always seems to be game for some excitement and pushes the rider to extract every ounce of juice it has on offer.

The Apache RTR 180, thanks to its eager engine and light kerb weight, offers scintillating acceleration and delivers all that performance in a way that suddenly, you start feeling like a teen, all flamboyant and desperate to make a statement. The bike can easily dismiss the 100 kmph figure from standstill in around 15 seconds and boy does that tacho-needle love to dance! The motor loves revving all the way to a tacho indicated 11500 RPM, before crying out for clemency and asking you to shift to next cog. Talking about the gearshifts, the bike comes with a five speed gearbox that boasts of a one-down four-up shift pattern and offers smooth and very accurate shifts. False neutrals are as good as non existent and it is no less than a joy to operate that lever.

The RTR 180 would also not disappoint you during office commutes and offers enough grunt lower down the revs to keep you from having to time and again play with the gears in the stop-go traffic.

I am absolutely floored with the way all those 17 horses go about their business. So badly smitten I am that I have been left wondering why people are all gaga over bikes which are priced at least 20 percent higher and yet, deliver only a little extra in terms of engine performance.

The only reason I have to complain about is the onset of vibrations as the bike nears its rev-limit. Not really a deal breaker, especially if you consider that the vibes are well controlled almost throughout the rev-range and become a bit pronounced at the rear foot pegs only once the tacho-needle approaches the redline.

A really small issue with an otherwise a fantastically awesome performance package.

Vibes or no vibes, an alpha hooligan, that is what this bike is! And did we mention that we managed to extract a little north of 35kmpl, even with all that tormenting of the engine?

2013 TVS Apache RTR 180 – Engine Performance- 11/10 (!!)

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