Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Hello all.
Please help. I'm in a serious dilemma.
Till now I used to go to my office which was just 1km away. So never used to bother much abt my RTR160, mileage wise or anything. Used to run K&N filter and put 200 bucks petrol per week. I guess my mileage was just 30 or something as there was never a straight road, all twists and turns. Have given it for regular servicing, once in 3 months, even though I have covered less kms.

But now, I need to go to a place which is 15 kms away. It's in an industrial area, so need to take many side roads to avoid the transport trucks and general traffic. And the road condition is absolutely pathetic, there are steel rods jutting out of the road and all! And sometimes, no roads even!
This is where I started noticing problems-
1. The K&N filter caused a drop in acceleration. So I have removed it now, it feels much better. There's sufficient pull now from low revs, and the bikes is back to it's old sound which is calm. Hence no headaches.
2. The clamp in the front, which joins the front suspension to the chassis, always makes a thudding noise when going over even the smallest undulation on the road. The sound is so unbearable, it feels like the front fork might fall off and split the bike!
Many a times I have complained to the service centre, they keep changing the cone set and say the problem is gone. I had never noticed the thudding sound until now. But now, beacause of the road conditions, every bump I can hear it. It's most unsettling.
3. I feel the 160 is sriffly sprung. Not the soft setup that I have heard is present on the 200. I'm starting to get bit back aches now.
So basically, I'm very worried now about my bike. I have already done a service just some days back. I have also changed the front and rear tires recently, now both the tires are tubeless. I feel I really need to change the bike, it's been 6 years, but only done 34000 kms. Do I wait for the ABS variant of the 200, or just go ahead and book the standard carb variant? I have been waiting from January, money in hand, to go buy the bike.
I don't want to buy any of the existing 150cc bikes.
I don't know what to do. Please advice.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Here is an update after 2nd service (1800 km)

Its has been a pleasure riding this wonder full bike. Its just perfect. The way it pulls from standstill, makes every one in a traffic signal to vanish in the rear view mirror!

Problems faced with bike:
1. Tak - tak (like key chain hitting metal) noise some where from the speedometer console: This was hard to find out form where this was coming. The whole headlight assembly, lock set and front mudguard was removed and tested. As the source of the sound could not be found, service adviser told they give a update in the evening. Got a call from them and the sound was from the front suspension assembly which was not in stock. Next day, new suspension assembly was replaced and the old ones were sent to the factory for analysis.

Bonus: while replacing the new suspension assembly, the handlebar cone set was tightened more than required and had to visit them to rectify it.

2. One day after parking the bike in office, immediately there was petrol flow/leak from the carburetor drain pipe. After riding the bike again, it was normal. visited the service center to make sure every thing is fine. they told it could be because of block due to dirt in the floater. carburetor was cleaned. one point to mention here, to remove the carburetor we have to remove the side covers, and tank too.

Bonus: After refitting the carburetor, there was excess (I mean excesssssss) play in the accelerator cable. they told its good to have play as the cable wont be pulled while turning the handlebar. This was rectified during the service camp.

Problems faced with Service:
1st service: The chain was was adjusted with no play! the mechanic told it will get loose as we start riding. the service supervisor had to instruct the mechanic to get it adjusted. They have applied polish (the white spray) on the front disk, front break was not effective for a week..Nothing much in the 2nd service, things are fine. NO oil change only top up if required.

Over all the service center was eager to resolve issues and helpful. They also conducted a service camp to rectify the problems. They were insisting a feedback rating 9 or 10. If we are not satisfied and give a lower rating, they were following up and ready to rectify the problems to get 9 or 10. Previously had bad experience with services(all manufacturers) where they say a common answer "this (the problem) is with every bike and cannot be rectified. In fact its not a problem its feature of the bike".

I am satisfied and will stick with this service center for now.
'Ramkay tvs' - Medavakkam, Chennai.

Question to the other owners: Its very difficult to carry any midsize carry bag and have to carry the helmet every where. Have any one installed luggage carrying hook or a helmet lock?

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

I ordered matte white but the waiting period 2-3 months is killing me.....
I want to know which have better look glossy or matte white? I have seen just glossy one, so little confused.
Does matte color will require much more maintenance than glossy one or will get faded very soon?

How is the bike for long trip, maybe for about 200-400kms in one day?
As my main moto is to do lots of highway cursing.....

One more question.....
Is it ok to buy bike from dealer who is more than 15kms from my stay?

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Question to the other owners: Its very difficult to carry any midsize carry bag and have to carry the helmet every where. Have any one installed luggage carrying hook or a helmet lock?[/QUOTE]

About helmet you can lock it to the handle, in between the handle and wires so it gets locked and cannot be removed. Helmet can be kept on the meter. I will post the pic tomorrow when on my way to work because at work place I kept helmet that way.

Also how did you get your 2nd servicing done at 1800kms. Service is between 2500-3000kms.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

It totally depends on you bro... If u can wait till December than go for the abs variant.... if not carb one is aslo a good option. ...

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

I called customer service of TVS, they are also not aware of launch date of ABS variant. UpTo now they are saying Dec later they may say March.
In Bangalore still pirelli option is not there and base version has waiting period of 3 months.
I think ABS will take more than 6months to launch.
So there is only one option wait....😤😤😤

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Whats is more feasible? To carry a bag or to loose helmet in that filmsy helmet lock every time you come back to the parking?


Better looking? Who is more pretty? Aish or Sush? I hope you got the answer regarding color of your bike now?

Long trip? Have you read this thread to the fullest?

Whats wrong in buying from 15kms or 150kms? I still dont get it?

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

See the xbhp 1000km ride review. They had no problems with the bike.
Gloss white is what I have seen in showroom. And Matt white I have seen on road. I feel gloss one looks better, it adds bit bulk to the design. Matt white makes the bike look lean. But problem is no one will go for gloss as Matt paints are what is the rage nowadays. Everyone wants Matt paint.

Well buying from any dealer is fine. Your service center should be close by that's all.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Previously i used to like Aish but now i like Sush, maybe others also...
See you made me confused again lots of option...but in Bangalore only three, Glossy white, matte grey and matte black.

And the winner is Aish....no Sush oh wait Aish or Sush.....damn you two...

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Thanks for the reply.
I also want matte but just glossy is available.

I don't know what happened to Bangalore dealers, why they don't have the options
I booked my RTR from two dealers, whoever will provide me earlier i will cancel the other.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

I would like to know from which dealer you have booked. I'm in no position to wait any longer for the ABS variant.
Both the showrooms near my place(Triton and Prakruthi) say their not accepting bookings.
I'm going to buy the base carb variant immediately.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

I booked from Tristar TVS, Domlur 20 days back but they have no idea when the bike will come and also they stopped taking booking.
2nd dealer is Kubera Motors, HSR layout, where i booked yesterday only, they are saying waiting period of 45-60 days max but only three colors, Glossy white, matte grey and matte black.

They had one glossy white in display on which they let me hear exhaust note!!!!...man when i will get that bike..
But the instrument cluster is showing 82 kmph as top speed, when i asked them, they told that they test every bike coming from TVS whether it is ok or not.
Bike doesn't looked as if they give it for test drive, so that is ok for me...
You can call to 9964856285(Madesh), he a salesman there, he can help you out about your query.

You can also take a look on Solar TVS, Nayanda Halli. They told that they can provide me any color except yellow i think.
I called them and they told one month waiting period after that i got call from them saying three months waiting period.
I told them in 3 months i can get from dealer which is just 2 kms from my stay then why i will go to you which is at least 18 kms away.
They told they will call me back after discussing with their manager. I got call after one day saying that they can provide me in 45 days.
I don't know they are bluffing or saying truth but you can try.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Anyone from kerala bought RTR 200 ??? enquired about 4-5 showrooms in malappuram district, but no one knows about the bike ??
i'm really interested ..

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Thanks for the Info...got a quote from the susheel TVS...

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Good that you are satisfied with this service center. I serviced my bike from this SVC for more than 1 year. The problem I faced is that they will not fix the problems in a single shot. I had to visit the SVC afterwards multiple times to rectify the issues caused by the regular service. Sometimes screws will be missing, oil pipes will miss the lock, engine leak etc, and also sometime they will not rectify the issue at all but will say that it has been rectified and still whatever the issue persists is just normal. I am done with this SVC, now i am looking for a better service center in Chennai. You can continue servicing your bike here but be careful and check thoroughly while receiving the vehicle after service.

Re: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Can see that a lot of people have trouble getting the bike from Bangalore. Same here. I was expecting that I will have the bike with me by Sep end at the most. Now though I am convinced that it will probably take till next month. Not an enviable position to be in since I need the bike immediately.

Well hopefully Bajaj comes out with the updated AS200 or better yet the updated NS200 by then. Then I will get which ever comes earlier. I have also started looking at YZF R15S in the meantime but I am not really sure if I can adjust to the riding position.

Does someone have any updates on getting RTR200 in Bangalore?