TVS Motor Company has recently updated its most popular Apache RTR 160V with more power & torquier engine, and that too without increasing the prices. This has made Apache a more strong contender in its segment. So, we have decided to pit the Apache RTR 160 4V against its rivals for a comprehensive on-paper comparison.
Dimensions
TVS RTR 160 4V | Bajaj Pulsar NS160 | Hero Xtreme 160R | |
Seat height | 800mm | 805mm | 790mm |
Wheelbase | 1357mm | 1372mm | 1327mm |
Ground clearance | 180mm | 177mm | 167mm |
Fuel tank capacity | 12-litres | 12-litres | 12-litres |
Kerb weight | upto 149kg | 151kg | upto 139.5kg |
- The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 has the largest wheelbase in the segment which will offer good straight-line stability.
- With the least kerb weight and shortest wheelbase, the Hero Xtreme 160R will be the easiest to manoeuvre in city condition. It also has the lowest seat height among all, making it suitable for riders with short height.
- The Apache RTR offers a great balance between all parameters. And at 180mm, it offers the highest ground clearance, making it fit for high bumps.
- All three motorcycles pack a 12-litre fuel tank.
Underpinnings
TVS RTR 160 4V | Bajaj Pulsar NS160 | Hero Xtreme 160R | |
Frame Type | Double cradle split synchro stiff frame | Perimeter frame | Diamond frame |
Front suspension | Telescopic fork | Telescopic fork | Telescopic fork |
Rear suspension | Monoshock | Monoshock | Monoshock |
Front brake | 270mm | 260mm | 276mm |
Rear brake | 130mm Drum/ 200mm disc | 230mm | 130mm Drum / 220mm Disc |
ABS | Single Channel ABS | Single Channel ABS | Single Channel ABS |
Front tyre | 90/90-17 | 90/90 -17 | 100/80-17 |
Rear tyre |
| 120/80 -17 | 130/70-17 |
- The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 utilises a superior perimeter frame which offers more rigidity, stability and agile handling.
- Suspension duties are handled by a telescopic front fork and monoshock unit for all the three bikes that are being compared.
- The Apache RTR's braking system is on par with the Xtreme. However, at 276mm, the Hero motorcycle has a slightly larger front brake. On the other hand, the NS160 gets the biggest rear disc brake.
- The trio feature single-channel ABS as standard.
- As for tyres, the Xtreme has the widest tyres in the lot, helping it to achieve a slightly better road grip.
Engine Specifications
TVS Apache RTR 160 4V | Bajaj Pulsar NS160 | Hero Xtreme 160R | |
Engine Displacement | 159.7cc | 160.3cc | 163cc |
Cooling System | oil-cooled | oil-cooled | air-cooled |
Max Power | 17.63PS @ 9250rpm | 17.2PS @9000rpm | 15.2PS @ 8500rpm |
Peak Torque | 14.73Nm @ 7250rpm | 14.6Nm @ 7250rpm | 14Nm @ 6500rpm |
Transmission | 5-speed | 5-speed | 5-speed |
With the recent update, the Apache's 159.7cc generating a segment-leading 17.63PS of maximum power and 14.73Nm of peak torque, whereas the Honda Xtreme 160R produces the lowest performance figures among the three bikes featured here.
Features
TVS RTR 160 4V | Bajaj Pulsar NS160 | Hero Xtreme 160R | |
Headlamps | LED | Halogen | LED |
| AHO | ✓ | No | No |
Indicators | Bulb type | Bulb type | LED |
DRLs | No (Position lamps only) | No (Pilot Lamp Only) | ✓ |
Taillamps | LED | LED | LED |
Instrument cluster Type | Fully-digital | Semi-digital | Fully-digital |
Speedometer type | digital | digital | digital |
Tachometer | digital | analogue | digital |
Tripmeter | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Navigation | No | No | No |
Side stand indicator | No | No | ✓ |
Service reminder | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lap Timer, 0-60 timer | ✓ | No | No |
| Top speed recorder | ✓ | No | No |
Kill Switch | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Electric start | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Hazard light switch | No | No | ✓ |
Mobile Charging Socket | No | No | No |
Glide Through Technology | ✓ | No | ✓ |
As you can see from the table, there is a neck-to-neck competition between the Apache RTR 160V and Xtreme 160R. But its the Xtreme 160R that offers more practical features like hazard lamp and side stand indicator, which the RTR and Pulsar miss out on.
Price
Model | TVS RTR 160 4V | Bajaj Pulsar NS160 | Hero Xtreme 160R |
Ex-showroom Price |
| Rs 1,10,086 |
|
Verdict
The Hero Xtreme 160R is giving a really tough competition to both the bikes. It's the most feature-packed naked streetgihter here. Also, the disc variant of Xtreme 160R undercuts both offerings by approximately Rs 3,000. However, if the performance is taken into consideration, the Apache RTR 160 4V offers superb value. Also, its features list is on par with the Xtreme except for some features. The NS160, on the other hand, feels outdated in terms of features.
