Automobile Technology

A disappointing 160cc. I don't know about you guys out there, but I really did not expect a copy cat version of the new Bajaj DTSi just to survive in the market. (Image source from rearset.blogspot.com) What I don't like in the 160 cc 1. 160 cc itself. I would rather go in for a 150cc with a good mileage. 2. Why did he not update 150 cc to these extras, but instead opt for 160cc? 3. The silencer! oh boy! what a mess 4. The pillion handle - Copied! doesn't he have brains to bring in something of his own? 5. The meters. Another copy from Bajaj. Grow up TVS! What I appreciate 1. The handle bar 2. The engine guard 3. The new petal disk brakes I wonder why the second versions of all manufacturers SUCK. Oh boy! I must say the 160cc is a real MESS of an engineering. Especially because it offers a copied version of other bikes. And this does not make it unique at all. Check out more at rearset.blogspot.com

Okie! After 1900 kms now, and one free service down the lane I am proud to announce the final results of the mileage-o-phobia . My silver Apache gives me an unthinkable 65 - 66 kmpl . Now this is why I am a happy customer. One more thing. You wanna be happy with the bike, then the bike's got to be happy with you. This means that you gotto clean and check every single component of the bike every week. I had this problem today. Though my tank was full, the vehicle stopped in between twice. This could probably mean that there was no proper air + fuel mixture going into the single cylinder four stroke 147 cc engine. Or that the Air filter is has got a sexy back. Gotta check that out. Nevertheless, drive safe guys. Few days back driving at 80 I had this Honda City bumping me from the left. Luckily, nothing happened to my bike and me. I would gladly say - Apache is SUPERBLY STABLE. Imaging a car bumping you at 80 from the left. He hit me to my left foot rest, and just a right turn, and

A new 159.7 cc version of Apache is going to be launched soon. It sports the same foundation, but with some classy colors and disc brakes. A little bit of engine tweak and great style. Check out more at www.tvsapache.com

"She is the fastest 150cc bike around today and probably the highest top speed as well." - Overdrive "Ultra-flickable, yet rock steady at speeds around the magical 100kmph." - Autocar As from the main website www.tvsapache.com

vooooohooo! 100kmph Okie! its not that funda speed limit, but atleast its my first experience with a 150cc bike. You can just see the speedometer needle respond so fast to the increase in speed. I must say - APACHE IS VERY VERY STABLE AT HIGH SPEEDS. What really surprises and made me choose TVS is for their leap from the boring production to something classy like Apache. Its an Awesome bike for the Indian market. And at first shot, TVS just did it. It gives you good mileage - If you make sure you have exact one litre in your tank - Read the previous blog. It gives you good stability It has a re-defined style Dome is just amazing. Looking at the bike from the front makes you hug it. Nice exhaust sound effect Good service - but got to check out in detail of the golmaal in there. RESPONDS VERY VERY FAST What more, its one of the best bike produced so far for the Indian market. Its stand apart from the goofed up style of the new 150, 180 and 200 cc bikes of Pulsar from bajaj. Something is

I am back again with another shocking report on the mileage phenomenon. If all you bikers think that going to a Petrol Bunk in India or Bangalore for that matter should possibly give you a better mileage, then you better think again. India is ranked as one of the most corrupted country in the world. Other than Shell or Reliance , all other Petrol Bunks are fraudulent. I would say "BASTARDS" out of sheer anger and irritation. A case yesterday at Bharat Petroleum - Airport Road when I faced this problem. I gave him 51 rupees for a litre of petrol and touched the tank to see if I could feel the movement of the fuel in the tank, and voila! It ceased at 600ml, but still the meter was running to fool me. Can you believe it? I had a tough time with the fellow there, demanding him the value for money. But I could do nothing single handed. Imagine the amount of people being fooled especially people who own cars who just rely on the meter reading and cannot really feel what’s ha

When in fifth gear and traveling above 60kmph, you can feel the heavy vibration of the engine in the left footrest, though it is hardly visible in the right. This gives a real sickness in riding the vehicle those it disappears at higher speeds. And at fifth gear, you literally get the impression as if its time for you to switch to another gear. It rarely gives the feeling of a fifth gear because of the pull it provides. Looks like its an issue with my bike alone. But nevertheless in most of the Apaches in town, I think the engine is closely tilted to the left side of the frame, and hence the left side vibrates more than the right.

Hi guys! Can anyone here tell me how its possible to switch gears in Honda Unicorn without engaging the clutch lever? What is the mechanism? Is the engine semi-auto tranmission?

Ahhhhh! such a beautiful bike and the gear box is really annoying. I dont know if the rider is bad (me) or is it something to do with the bike. Sometimes in traffic, traversing down from 2nd to first becomes a problem. It just gets jammed at neutral or does not budge. A little bit of push in the front and its back to normal. Wonder why there is some twist is the mechanical laws of nature. Comparatively Honda Unicorn provides a smooth transition. Its gear box is absolutely splendid. Sometimes I feel if there was a clever way for bikes to switch from manual transmission to automatic transmission. Using the five gear box in heavy, irresponisble traffics like in Bangalore is really a headache, especially when you have a poor idling configuration in your bike. I suffered a lot a couple of days back.

Its 57km per litre. Okie! to be honest, this is not the average mileage that I should be getting. It should be more than that. This figure is a comptutation at all driving speeds. I raced with my friend at Airport Road driving at 70 kmph in heavy traffic, braked several times, switched on the the vehicle on several occasions (coz of my very low idling configuration). After all, we all owe to pay some respect to the vehicle. The better you drive, the better the vehicle and a good smile on your face. Happy riding.

TVS Apaches' dome really really looks classy in all colors. TVS has really done some good piece of work here. Its worthy to be the best design of the year 2006. Look in detail and even the finish of the vehicle is flawless.

Okie! My new Apache silver has crossed 1000kms now. I tried testing it yesterday on my way to Vijaya Nagar from RR Nagar through Mysore road. Reached a top speed of 95 kmph. Trust me, this vehicle is very very efficient in balance and maneuverability. Cornering is damn easy, turns and sneak through heavy traffic is just simple. I must say TVS has crafted Apache beautifully . A little bit of examination on the design, and voila! its way much better in finish and quality than the Victor GL I had three years back. Every single element of the bike is designed with a fabulous touch. And with the side stand on, I just feel like fetching my keys for another ride. And hey! I had my cousin who has got a Honda Unicorn complain on one thing - "Your bike - (my Apache) does not have any dangling wires in the front. But look at mine or pulsar, it ruins the look of the bike. TVS has a taste in design."

Ok! so here's the myth buster regarding the vibration of the vehicle. At 65 kmph its just smooth and normal, but at 85kmph it does vibrate - A LITTLE. Like most other reviews that I have read its descent amount of vibration for a 150cc vehicle and it is normal. It happens with Hayabusa for its range and any other bike for that matter. But, at higher speeds handling the vehicle gets difficult. It does not wobble but looks like the gravity and speed just glues the tyres to the surface so firmly that turning the vehicle quickly becomes a problem. But maybe its just my illusion and has got nothing to do with the bike!!!!!! At 85kmph this machine is just robust and amazing. Make sure you inflate your tyres with the recommended air level and boom!! the vehicle gets as stable as it should be. Bends and curves can be tackled with ease. Its amazingly sporty and easily maneuverable. Trust me. I have no doubt apache 180 will be cleverly designed with patience and spice as per the demand of t

After the first service, the vehicle is poised. It much more easy to handle and change gears now. The ride is cool and smooth. Especially the sound from the exhaust when you raise instantly. But otherwise it looks like most of the energy from the engine is not being made use of. i.e. If you raise too much to speed up, the engine gets to be noisy enough to impress you for its machoness, but looks like the power does not reach the transmission. To the rider it just seems like the vehicle is locked to not exceed 75kmph no matter how much you raise the throttle. Well, I think so but not sure if it happens to everybody.

I must say the service was fast. It was done in 8 hours flat. But the quality of of service.. come on! lets dig in... 1. The oil or shine in the exhaust remained as such with being wiped 2. Water wash? Then why is my engine still dirty? Huh! 3. The clutch is not tightened 4. The brake is not tightened 5. Gear box still tick tocks! I had asked you to mend it and you have not done it. why? 6. The engine oil drips!!! *@#$$ I am sorry guys. This happened to me. And I must say it SUCKS! And this is at Ashwa Motors, Banashankari, Bangalore. And yes! The real funda! the cost for my FIRST FREE SERVICE - 340/-. This includes Oil Change, Air filter change and labor charges. Well! looks like TVS is redefining the meaning of FREE SERVICE. Happy riding. Never be in a corrupted country like this. Sack em all!

After a lot of research, I must admit Pulsar rules. I am not considering the new version of pulsar in which the tail lamp was altered to give an awkward look to the vehicle. I am considering the comparison between Apache 150 and the pulsar 150 and 180 older versions. 1. Apache seems to have copied all the feature of pulsar in one shot. Observe the panel allocations, the stickering, the style. Everything damn thing is copied, excepting the engine. 2. Pulsar if heavenly responsive than Apache. I dont know why there was a hype on Apache's pickup!!!! 3. Pulsar if powerful in all ways, especially when you are trying to drag the vehicle up a slope. 4. Pulsar is a class in design. So professionally crafted. The bike looks COMPLETE. 180 DTSi black is awesome. 5. Look at Apache from a distance and you shall soon find that the back side of the vehicle is out of design from the front. Something missing there! 6. Apache's pillion seat is DAMN SMALL. A terrible ache to the bummy!!! So ladie

I must admit. This vehicle is a class on its own. Its look damn elegant. Especially the black color. And this one is definitely powerful. The black colored engine with the black paint for the vehicle makes it look heavenly masculine. Hats off to Bajaj here.

Oh boy! what can say here. The back seat is so small, its really insufficient for a medium sized bum. This results in a terrible ache in the bum. Phew! 40kms as a pillion rider and you end up with loads of ice on top of your bum.