Hey guys, there's some tik-tik noise from engine whenever it's in idle. Its frequency increases as the engine is revved. It makes a grrrrrr type noise at hgher RPMs like 5K and above. It most probably is tappet noise. I gave it to SVC to get the tappet checked. The idiotic mechanic at first said there's no noise, all Apaches have that, and that he sets it at every service. That clearly is a lie as when I forced him to check it, he was kind of reluctant and said "Why do you want to try that for such a small issue? There'll be a risk of some other part starting to malfunction in an attempt to correct this. Your bike is great in every other aspect. Why take such a risk?". Look at the confidence of the head mechanic! He doesn't have enough confidence even to set tappets. I can't laugh enough at TVS SVCs. Anyway, later he agreed to check it and asked me to come back after 4 hours as tappet setting needs a cold engine. I went back there and it didn't seem like he even bothered touching my bike. It had got severe amount of dust before I left it there and all those dust particles were intact. There was no sign of even a finger laid on it. Some guy there asked me if my problem was solved. I said no and that it was as bad as before. He asked me if I was facing any problem with the performance. I said no. For that he replied "The valve clearance will be adjusted for mileage or performance. You're hearing that noise as it has been adjusted for performance and it's common to hear it in that case". LOL. I didn't even bother speaking any more and returned. I wasn't charged any amount because I had got it serviced 20 days ago. Now, I'm sure the tappets haven't been touched ever since it left TVS factory. So, I'm thinking of doing it myself using Drifty's awesome guide instead of visiting the state-of-art TVS SVCs. But before that, I need a confirmation if it indeed is tappet noise or not. Please confirm it guys. Also, the ODO is at 5.4k KM and the bike is about 10 months old. Thanks in Advance.

WOW a similar bike & SVC problem.I think TVS SVC's mechanics undergo same training for giving excuses.Can you tell me which TVS you went.?
This is a tappet issue for sure.I checked with a TVS & a local mechanic. The performance as well as millage had dropped like hell on my bike.A local mechanic adjusted the tappets when the bike's engine was cold & He charged me Rs250. You better go to a local mech. he'l fix it faster. TVS SVC will take a day or two to adjust a tappet..

Hello all,

Well its been 3 days now i owned 180 ABS (Beast) the bike is awesome in every aspect mentioned by Company Acceleration, Brakes, Looks, Feeling, Exhaust & Beasty feeling.

Its really hard for me to keep it below 60km/h coz this bike is really a beast want you to fly with it love the feeling when you shift from 3rd - 4th Gear (Sound of Exhaust) And Horn is also very loud & Clear Headlight is also very bright...

Only issue i am facing now is
Brake Lights always on (Minor Issue in wiring i suspect)
& Yes some time false Neutral (Which will get solved after 1Servicing i guess)

It shouldn't happen as the gear box in 2012 series shifts quite positively. But if you face this problem continuously even after first services plz talk with mechanic(If he knows anything).

250rs for Adjusting tappet??? typo?

EDIT: I take it back, it seems like standard price, but here at Suzuki, It is included in 150/180 rs normal paid service charge. But off-course bigger bikes higher maintenance cost.

Thanks, Dude!!

Didnt go for green as its too loud for my tastes!!

And yes "BlacK' hides in the crowd so no worrying for people fiddling with it.

Thanks, Yes the Ninja 250R was on my radar from very beginning but i am glad that i made it finally!!

Any one on this?

Yes,250Rs. I got few more things adjusted like clutch & got my brake pad checked. I had to get it done asap so I din't bargain with him or he would have done it for 200rs.

Then something under the tank is the issue. Have you checked the headlight assembly from inside which I asked you?

There should not be any tappet issue with almost 6k kms on odo. Are you sure the sound is not from the exhaust (if it is its the cat con), if it is not tappet adjustment doesn't need more than 1 hour and local mechanics might not have the right instrument to do it. Tappet clearance is 0.06mm for the intake & 0.08mm for the exhaust.

Is tappet adjustment & valve clearance setting the same thing..
What could be the reason for the tappet to get disrupted.. Look like a very common problem in RTRs.

As tappets are in between camshaft push rods and valves, too much pressure or heating tends to loosen them.
Technical guys can answer this in a much better way

Just back after visiting SC, this was 4th time in two months
Gave my bike to another mechanic, he test rode it and straightaway told it would take one and half hours for the service, now the RTR is back in form
He cleaned the carburetor, adjusted the tappets and said how come the other mechanic didn't adjust the tappets in 10k kms.I would going to that mechanic everytime my service will be due

too sad to find that my Apache's one parking light got fused :-( . don't know when it happened, i observed today.

how much does the bulb cost. Is there a way to replace both with some highpower ones or LED ones?

Couldnt get WD 40 near my place.
Used a little bit of kerosene and rubbed it with sponge and tar stains vanished Used waxpol and polished it later.

@Redeemer Those bulbs are very cheap I had replaced long time back, think it was 10 or 20 per bulb. You wont get options at SVC for a higher power bulb.

LED costs less than 200rs.