TVS Motors has launched a new version of the Apache RTR 200. The only technical change in the new version is that it is now equipped with fuel injection in place of a carburetor. However, TVS will sell both the carbureted and fuel injected versions of the Apache RTR 200 in India. The FI version is priced at Rs. 1.07 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. It is around Rs. 13,000 costlier than the carbureted version.
The bike is available in two colours – yellow and white. Top speed is 129 Kph and the 0-60 Kph acceleration timing is 3.9 seconds. The bike is available only in select cities of India. A cosmetic change on the FI bike is that a small bikini-fairing has been added above the headlamp.
The FI version uses the same air and oil cooled, 200cc single cylinder, four stroke engine but with small upward revisions in power and torque figures. The 200cc FI engine now produces 21 Bhp, up from the carbureted engine’s 20.7 Bhp at 8,500 rpm. Peak torque remains same at 18.1 Nm, generated at 7,000 The engine features a four valve head. The gearbox is a 5 speed manual unit that powers the rear wheel through a chain drive.
The Apache RTR 200 FI gets 270mm and 240mm petal disc brakes at the front and the rear but ABS is still missing. This is a point where the Pulsar 200 NS ABS (anti-lock disc brakes) scores as Bajaj has recently equipped that bike with this life-saving safety technology. So, the Apache RTR 200 4V now gets better throttle response and that’s the only change in the bike.
Bikers in India would prefer an ABS unit to fuel injection because road conditions here are very unpredictable. In such conditions, an ABS is any day more preferable to fuel injection – a technology that many bikers would rather live without. We hope that TVS soon adds ABS to all its bikes with engines of over 150cc. Soon, new bikes (with engine capacity more than 125cc) launched in India after March 2018 will have to offer ABS as standard.