All that can only be clear when proper road test is done.
If you consider R15 better on highway just because of grip, I disagree. Or may be you can explain that part.

i didnt say only beacuse of the grip..its better because it has better cruising capabilities and an aerodynamic fairing and of copurse better top end..but citys it sucks big time( i saying "suck" becuse after riding my RTR i am just used to the torque just pulling me even at speeds like 23-24 which the r15 cant).....i have ridden both extensively and i still find RTR to be more practical.

An aerodynamic fairing will help it to go faster, will help it at race tracks, for cruising you need upright position, RTR's posture is more favourable( still causes pain ). R15's top end is better, in top end testing it will win but during cruising ( speed of 80 to 90kmph ) both will cruise without tension.

Ya, in city RTR is more practical.

apache can cruise at 110-115 km/h without a fuss i have done it so many times on the nice road.its quite smooth also. after 120 it becomes a bit rough! i think if given the right road it will also cruise at 115-120 also-anything above 120 will be like pushing the bike to its limits... i think 120 comes at 8.5 K RPM i am right???

sorry for a immature behaviour but thts wht i personally experienced

after installing the k&n filter..i felt the bike was vibrating more...and when i got the oil changed to valvoline i felt the vibes had gone
i never said that engine oil increases accleration but it just smoothens the functioning of engine to provide a better response
Secondly the rear tyre i installed was due to 2 reasons :-
1.i could nt find 110/80-17 tyres other than TVS ones(too slipery)
2. i live in a very rain prone are so i had to get zapper c with a wide size to have better road grip

yes i have experienced a mileage drop ...and a acceleration drop too.....

for that i got the k&n installed but now i think i need to upjet my bike to get the full out of k&N im not at all worried abt the mileage coz i dont travel more than 1000 kms in a month normally

With the word cruise I meant riding for atleast 50 to 60kms non-stop, that's why I mentioned those speeds. One will get tired easily if cruising at higher speeds, above 110kmph.
NICE road is really nicest road. Good for checking top end and acceleration of the bike.

updates

Instead of that, always apply brakes as you would do in ANY bike i.e progressively with more emphasis. on front brake. Normal reaction of riders under any panic situation is to brake hard having no time to react. The ABS, AFAIK is eliminate Wheel lock and save you from skidding in those situations.

So,there is no need to switch off the ABS! Don't brake hard on purpose-brake as usual as you do on any bike-the ABS will save you from panic braking!

Thanks mate..
Ladies handle-I was referring to the one as below:


[QUOTE=sid137;699010]Thanks sid! it's pleasure with apachians in company!!

Abhii46, wow!! what a roar man..

I was thinking that the exhaust note from my ride is like music.. then the FFE exhaust note of yours is like symphony! absolute delight. Thanks for inspiring to tour by your trip photos!

Thanks Drifty! will sure post pics after I click some with my digicam.. maybe after sunday.

UPDATE:
After Day 2, 120Kms completed. Love that exhaust note esp. after 35-40kmph. Awesome pickup in 3rd gear. Turns you to broad smile after you overtake someone with a 'slight' twist of throttle!

Minor niggles: sound from back seat when I go over pot holes-fount that the tool kit is without any rubber band-will tie it today.

The Rear view mirror on the Right is giving a good view but the Left side one is 50% covered with my shoulder/arms all the time. also noticed that the left side one is bolted on clip-on but right side one is further in front-to the side of fron brake fluid reservoir.

The headlight of mine is HALONIX-HS1-12V-35/35W-37R-E1. Gives good bright illumination. But the throw is little tilted to left/downwards even on high beam. How to Adjust?

The kicker, no matter how many times you kick, cannot start the engine. But one attempt at self starter, starts the engine,even in the mornings. What could be wrong here?

Bike Maintenance Tips

Can anyone give me some very basic tips to maintain my apache 180 abs.. ??

especially as the monsoon season has started in chennai..

Suggestions for the one's in bold

I too had experienced sounds coming from pillion seat area. But later when i closed the seat properly, it vanished. May be it's not in your case.

Yes my left mirror is not effective as the right one, but i get a good view of the rear with out my arms blocking. May be you should take some time to adjust that mirror at you parking area

I too has given up kick starting even during mornings because of the difficulty I use choke during morning electric starts though. As I've completely given up the kicker, the battery life might not be a long one and that's just about it

Finally, kindly run in your bike cautiously. It's damn hard, but you have to do it. Then only you won't be regretting over your bike's purchase. And that's saying something. Period.

regarding the kick thing, even i had the same problem. Bike not starting with kick. But a mech at a TVS service centre in bhandup, mumbai said i wasnt kicking rite
he said don't just extend the kick lever and start kicking like crazy. He instead asked me to gently press the kick lever as far as it goes without actually kicking it. A point will come when the lever will become stiff. It is at this point that you should always start and end your kicking motion. I tried it. And within 2 kicks the bike came to life.
Try this if you aren't doing it already.

@gautam_k
Thanks bro for that useful tip. Always knew there would be a proper way, but didn't try to find it. Lazy me Anyways, your post would be of much help to many, as kick start is recommended during mornings.

I usually start my bike with kick..Keep the engine switch off and kick the lever couple of times falsely,wait for 30 seconds or so,on the engine switch and then kick..Works for me flawlessly
Completed 2700kms,i am noticing that the engine is opening up,feels more smooth and begs to rev more

137 kgs is the kerb weight that is with full tank of fuel and other consumables.

For reference to Kerb weight
Curb weight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And i guess we(mostly) don't run with full tank all the time

@ Shivank please refer to my Post# 270 for my first hand experience with the Joel'e FFE.
I hope it will definitely clear some of your doubts.

+ 1

cos, initially even i was doin the same mistake and couldnt get the kick start working in my new rtr. But then found out the correct way to kick start the bike. i.e to push it lightly all the way down till it becomes tight and then give the kicking force..