Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Ownership Experience

An obvious but often neglected aspect related to suspension adjustment is the seat and the tire pressure! I have felt my seat soften over a period of 3 weeks and this has made my ride much more better.
You can also play around with the tire pressure and figure out what suits you or the road conditions in which you drive the most. I keep the pressures lower by 2 psi during the rains, especially in the front - it improves ride quality in bad road conditions in my opinion.

I wouldn't tinker with the suspension set up unless its really bothering me.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Ownership Experience

Yeah it can be done,BTW the suspension main header needs to be turned right side to soften and Left to stiff it respectively.

*Anyhow experienced one should do it !!

Hope this helps

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Ownership Experience

Just to add apart from what Aswinlogi said. Before getting RTR 200, I had '13 RTR 160 and I can definitely say that it is absolutely rubbish that more kms Odo reduces the mileage. My RTR 160 was 2nd hand and was clocked at 22k kms. By the time I got RTR 200, I clocked 47k kms on it without affecting the mileage which was between 45-50 kmpl. With regular servicing even if done at ASC will give you same kind of mileage. Your mileage will depend on multiple factors including how you maintain the bike.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Ownership Experience

thanks bro.. very nice to hear. My rtr 200 was giving me nearly 40 km/l. But this time when I checked, it has given me only 29kmpl despite riding very sanely(under 60kmph) and not revving above 4.5k rpm. I am really disappointed and very sad. what could be the reason for this drastic drop in mileage? My bike has just completed first service and clocked only 1050kms on odo.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Ownership Experience

Is it 1st mileage check post the service? If yes, I'll suggest you to monitor it over the next few weeks/months. Regular servicing is not the only factor which helps in getting best mileage. Frequency of shifting gears, traffic condition, gear shifting pattern etc. also affects the mileage.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Ownership Experience

It is the third mileage check after the first service. During the first and second mileage checks after 1st service, the mileage obtained was 40 kmpl each time. But for the third time, it was only 29kmpl. I suspect there should be a problem with fuel quality. Planning to check one more time and if it is more than 35kmpl, I am happy with that.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Ownership Experience

When was the first service done?
It is too early to check and monitor fuel efficiency.
Try fueling for around 10 Litres and do it for atleast 3 times. This will give a wider scope and riding conditions to decide if fuel efficiency has indeed gone down or not.
Meanwhile, try fueling in from a reputed fuel pump.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Ownership Experience

The first service was done at 740kms on odo. The first and second mileage checks post first service was done using 2.5 litres and 5 liters of fuel respectively and got 40kmpl for both times. For the third time, I filled only for Rs.150(1.77 litres) and got only meagre 29kmpl. Just to add further more information, I did not ride the bike for 2 days. When the bike had done 50km on trip1, I parked my vehicle and left to my hometown for weekend. On monday, it hit reserve at 52.5km which equates to 52.5/1.77=29.6kmpl. This time I have filled power petrol for Rs.200(2.33 litres) and let me see how much I am getting.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Ownership Experience

I feel that Rs. 150 worth of petrol is too low to check mileage. The best way to check is the full to full tank method. And put in at least 150 - 200 kms between the two fuelings. The last time I checked, my bike was returning around 35. Haven't checked it since.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Ownership Experience

I think filling full tank can be very risky and fatal too. Because if petrol overflows and comes in contact with engine or spark plug, the motorcycle will definitely catch fire. Thats why I don't prefer full tank to full tank. Even company recommends not to fill beyond 10 liters even though tank capacity is 12L. Recently such accident happened in my hometown when a biker tries to full tank. check out this link https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/india...-5358252/lite/

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Ownership Experience

The key is to not overfill the tank like how most petrol station attendants do. Usually the manuals recommend to fill it till the filler neck.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Ownership Experience

I agree. This is what is indicated on the tank too. As long as due precautions are taken during refilling, there shouldn't be any issues.

I got my bike's first service done today. Have a few observations

1. Bike now starts while in gear
The mechanic did some tinkering with the wires near the left side of the fuel tank (He did seek my permission before doing this) and now I am able to start my bike when it is in gear. Earlier this was not possible and the bike needed to be in neutral to be started.
Is there any downside to doing this? The TVS guys would have had some logic behind not providing this as a standard feature straight out of the factory. What do you guys think?

2. Clutch lever pushing out
When I let go of the accelerator (like while changing gears or when I am about to slow down) I can feel the clutch lever push outwards. Is this normal? Does it have something to do with the slipper clutch? I have never felt this on any other bike.
I noticed this well before the first service and thought that it had something to do with the clutch free play - so I got it set properly, but the condition still persists.

3. Chain lubed with oil
The mechanic who serviced my bike did not use the usual chain spray. He just lubed the chain with some semi black oil (it looked like used engine oil)
I know that the manual recommends the use of chain spray, but I did not stop him since he seemed to be an experienced guy and seemed to know his stuff well.
What are the downsides to this? Will it attract more dust as compared to a chain lubed with chain spray?

4. Condition of the oil
The bike had done 730 kms when it came in for the service. The bike has been manufactured on September 26 (so I'm guessing that is the day when oil has been filled in the bike for the first time)
Inspite of this, the oil that was drained out from the crankcase was very dark in color. I was quite surprised by this.
Is this normal? How do you explain oil changing color so quickly? The only explanation that I can come up with is that since the parts are new, the crankcase is running much hotter than usual and this has caused the oil to burn slightly. I faced this situation once when I took my previous bike (yamaha SZ-R) on a 350 kms trip over a period of 2 days. The oil had changed color and had become quite thin by the time I got back.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Ownership Experience

You should be able to start the bike in gear while the clutch is disengaged. If you weren't able to do it earlier, then something was wrong.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Ownership Experience

All filler nozzles at every petrol pump has a sensor at the tip. If the nozzle is left free without being held it will close supply when the petrol level reaches the sensor. I have been doing full tank refills everytime for 10+ yrs, don't know anyone yet who do it too. Most don't want to spend 800+ on fuel at a go. So your reaction/reasons are normal. But the practice of filling to the fuel nozzle sensor level is safe and very normal.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Ownership Experience

Ohh, didn't know about this. Are you sure about this though? I read somewhere that TVS did not provide this feature to make the bike more 'safe'

btw, I don't agree with their logic one bit! Thanks for the info anyways.