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Dear Manan;
Hi. Thanks for writing in. Nice to hear from you in a while. I will
try and answer as much as possible with info that can be shared in
public domain at this point of time. Hope it helps you guys. Cheers
!!!
1. Do we really have something like RTR 180 Menace in the
making?
1. Yes I am confirming that we are working on Apache RTR 180;
which is the Episode III in RTR series after RTR 160 and RTR Fi 160.
2. Is it true that RTR 180 Menace has been code named as MENACE
? 2. As you know different projects are codenamed in different
alpha numeric and numeric nomenclature; the PPG (Performance Products
Group) do nickname our
development projects. And for this one we did nickname it
Menace. These are not in public domain but we are actually surprised
that so many people have got to
know of this. But Yes its True!!!
3. When are we planning to launch the same?
3. Very soon. We are in final testing stages of the product for
set up configuration for the final Stock machine.
4. What will be the specs for RTR menace if it is at all a
truth? 4. As I have confirmed above Apache RTR 180 / Menace is a total
truth and specs will be known in due course of time. It would a
little premature to comment at this
time and steal the thunder away
5. Why is TVS displaying such Hush-Hush on RTR 180 Menace as
reported in many Blogs i.e XBHP.COM, ********, Autocar India,
Overdrive?
5. Its not only TVS but all companies that maintain a certain
level of confidentiality regarding impending launches. This
particular version is the III Episode of the RTR
series and will have to live upto huge expectations from
Apache Tribe (Apache & RTR owners) in terms of Performance hence the
need to be quiet and allow the
judgement and verdict to be given by the Tribe. We are very
confident of the package and thats that.
6. There has been lot of speculations about its performance and
is considered as pocket rocket, is it true? 6. Thats for you all to tell us. We are very confident of the
Machines behaviour at this point of time. I dont know about Rocket
but Pocket it ll not be as it is as big as
competition
7. What is the future vision of TVS Racing for Apache RTR
Series, as TVS has always been considered as conservative commuter
bike company? 7. Well TVS was the first company to offer Kits on Supra range
of bikes and then Shogun and Fiero were TVS vehicles. Similarly at
present we want to be a Full Pyramid
company with representation in all segments of consequence.
And Apache RTR series has a huge role to play in this regard. This
segment is not Just for Bread alone.
Our vision is based on basics of Motorcycle Behaviour.
Vision : Performance First >>
Product Definition Strategy :
- Category defining Performance
- Track Honed Razor sharp Handling
- Racing Diagnostics
The idea is to talk to a niche of Premium segment buyers
who value Performance more than anything else.
8. What is the target market for RTR, why is it so single
mindedly bent on performance and when can we expect a style upgrade?
8. As I said above the Premium segment in India is divided into
1. Style Seekers 2. Performance Seekers
Our studies show that Performance seekers are true die hard
bikers. They are loyal to their brand and are opinion leaders in
their groups. Style seekers though a large
share of the premium segment lag in understanding true
motorcycle sentiment and flip continuosly between brands
Hence our focus on the Performance Seekers. We call them
Enthusiasts before they buy our bike and Apache Tribe after they buy
the Apache RTR.
9. Is it true that you have tested RTR 180 Menace specifically
on the race tracks in India and Abroad? Yes, in Chennai; Coimbatore in India and at Philip Island
Australia.
10. Is it true that TVS has benchmarked R15 initially for RTR 180
Menace, however later-on the same has been discarded as RTR 180
Menace was found more aggressive
in performance by the engineers in Indian conditions (as
reported in one of the blogs in Xbhp.com)?
10. No comments.
11. How are we planning to spread the awareness of performance
biking through RTR 180 Menace in the Indian biking population?
11. Starting March 7th 2009 in Bangalore we are starting ARE:
Apache Racing Experience with TVS Racing. This is a tailor made
programme by TVS Racing exclusively
for Apache owners. Where one can learn to Corner, Judge
lengths, Braking Techniques, Overtaking and some stunts under
controlled environment. The event has
space for only 80 people as we need to give one on one
attention and Instructors will be our racing riders from TVS Racing
who also work on RTR set up
development.
The program will be a First Come First Serve basis one and at
a nominal charge of 500 bucks which includes lap timing on Race Kit
fitted RTRs. one also gets a VBox
output of the lap they did which will be consequently mailed
online to them instantly and our TVS Racing Professional on site will
explain the graph to each independently.
12. How do you differentiate TVS internally as TVS Commuter biking
and TVS Performance segment in terms of product development?
12. Its an Organizational Set up question. I am not authorized on
this. But only thing is that PPG and TVS Racing; does not interact
too much with others.
13. Do you really test your bikes yourselves on the race tracks
before giving it to the customer, unlike other manufacturers who use
customers as Gineau pigs?
13. Yes the bikes go through several track testing sessions for
vehicle dynamics behaviour; set ups and tire testing sessions. They
are tested by TVS Racing guys as well
as Development engineers. The average age of PPG is 29 years
only hence everyone is Ready to Rip. :-))
14. Why we are not simply launching the RTR performance kit and get
the market a feel of performance biking from TVS?
14. We will be doing an Exclusive preview of the RTR Race Pro
Performance Kitted machines at the 1st ARE on March 7th. All
participants will be allowed for a CLOCK THE
FASTEST LAP SPRINT on these bikes and VBox data will be
given. This will be All India Exclusive Preview for 80 Apache Tribe
members who will be a part of the
program
15. What will be the Ex-Showroom price of RTR 180 Menace if it is
launched?
15. It will be extremely competitive for the slew of features it
will offer.
Thanks and hope this answers a lot of questions on your minds.
Regards
Arun Siddharth
Sr. Product Manager
Performance Products
Hi. Thanks for writing in. Nice to hear from you in a while. I will
try and answer as much as possible with info that can be shared in
public domain at this point of time. Hope it helps you guys. Cheers
!!!
1. Do we really have something like RTR 180 Menace in the
making?
1. Yes I am confirming that we are working on Apache RTR 180;
which is the Episode III in RTR series after RTR 160 and RTR Fi 160.
2. Is it true that RTR 180 Menace has been code named as MENACE
? 2. As you know different projects are codenamed in different
alpha numeric and numeric nomenclature; the PPG (Performance Products
Group) do nickname our
development projects. And for this one we did nickname it
Menace. These are not in public domain but we are actually surprised
that so many people have got to
know of this. But Yes its True!!!
3. When are we planning to launch the same?
3. Very soon. We are in final testing stages of the product for
set up configuration for the final Stock machine.
4. What will be the specs for RTR menace if it is at all a
truth? 4. As I have confirmed above Apache RTR 180 / Menace is a total
truth and specs will be known in due course of time. It would a
little premature to comment at this
time and steal the thunder away
5. Why is TVS displaying such Hush-Hush on RTR 180 Menace as
reported in many Blogs i.e XBHP.COM, ********, Autocar India,
Overdrive?
5. Its not only TVS but all companies that maintain a certain
level of confidentiality regarding impending launches. This
particular version is the III Episode of the RTR
series and will have to live upto huge expectations from
Apache Tribe (Apache & RTR owners) in terms of Performance hence the
need to be quiet and allow the
judgement and verdict to be given by the Tribe. We are very
confident of the package and thats that.
6. There has been lot of speculations about its performance and
is considered as pocket rocket, is it true? 6. Thats for you all to tell us. We are very confident of the
Machines behaviour at this point of time. I dont know about Rocket
but Pocket it ll not be as it is as big as
competition
7. What is the future vision of TVS Racing for Apache RTR
Series, as TVS has always been considered as conservative commuter
bike company? 7. Well TVS was the first company to offer Kits on Supra range
of bikes and then Shogun and Fiero were TVS vehicles. Similarly at
present we want to be a Full Pyramid
company with representation in all segments of consequence.
And Apache RTR series has a huge role to play in this regard. This
segment is not Just for Bread alone.
Our vision is based on basics of Motorcycle Behaviour.
Vision : Performance First >>
Product Definition Strategy :
- Category defining Performance
- Track Honed Razor sharp Handling
- Racing Diagnostics
The idea is to talk to a niche of Premium segment buyers
who value Performance more than anything else.
8. What is the target market for RTR, why is it so single
mindedly bent on performance and when can we expect a style upgrade?
8. As I said above the Premium segment in India is divided into
1. Style Seekers 2. Performance Seekers
Our studies show that Performance seekers are true die hard
bikers. They are loyal to their brand and are opinion leaders in
their groups. Style seekers though a large
share of the premium segment lag in understanding true
motorcycle sentiment and flip continuosly between brands
Hence our focus on the Performance Seekers. We call them
Enthusiasts before they buy our bike and Apache Tribe after they buy
the Apache RTR.
9. Is it true that you have tested RTR 180 Menace specifically
on the race tracks in India and Abroad? Yes, in Chennai; Coimbatore in India and at Philip Island
Australia.
10. Is it true that TVS has benchmarked R15 initially for RTR 180
Menace, however later-on the same has been discarded as RTR 180
Menace was found more aggressive
in performance by the engineers in Indian conditions (as
reported in one of the blogs in Xbhp.com)?
10. No comments.
11. How are we planning to spread the awareness of performance
biking through RTR 180 Menace in the Indian biking population?
11. Starting March 7th 2009 in Bangalore we are starting ARE:
Apache Racing Experience with TVS Racing. This is a tailor made
programme by TVS Racing exclusively
for Apache owners. Where one can learn to Corner, Judge
lengths, Braking Techniques, Overtaking and some stunts under
controlled environment. The event has
space for only 80 people as we need to give one on one
attention and Instructors will be our racing riders from TVS Racing
who also work on RTR set up
development.
The program will be a First Come First Serve basis one and at
a nominal charge of 500 bucks which includes lap timing on Race Kit
fitted RTRs. one also gets a VBox
output of the lap they did which will be consequently mailed
online to them instantly and our TVS Racing Professional on site will
explain the graph to each independently.
12. How do you differentiate TVS internally as TVS Commuter biking
and TVS Performance segment in terms of product development?
12. Its an Organizational Set up question. I am not authorized on
this. But only thing is that PPG and TVS Racing; does not interact
too much with others.
13. Do you really test your bikes yourselves on the race tracks
before giving it to the customer, unlike other manufacturers who use
customers as Gineau pigs?
13. Yes the bikes go through several track testing sessions for
vehicle dynamics behaviour; set ups and tire testing sessions. They
are tested by TVS Racing guys as well
as Development engineers. The average age of PPG is 29 years
only hence everyone is Ready to Rip. :-))
14. Why we are not simply launching the RTR performance kit and get
the market a feel of performance biking from TVS?
14. We will be doing an Exclusive preview of the RTR Race Pro
Performance Kitted machines at the 1st ARE on March 7th. All
participants will be allowed for a CLOCK THE
FASTEST LAP SPRINT on these bikes and VBox data will be
given. This will be All India Exclusive Preview for 80 Apache Tribe
members who will be a part of the
program
15. What will be the Ex-Showroom price of RTR 180 Menace if it is
launched?
15. It will be extremely competitive for the slew of features it
will offer.
Thanks and hope this answers a lot of questions on your minds.
Regards
Arun Siddharth
Sr. Product Manager
Performance Products
You are our "insider" at TVS it seems brother. Thanks again!
Good work I say!
.
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