didn't like it at all

The new tail peice seems nice. The tank scoops are a bummer. The existing ones on the bike are spot on and it really didnt need any upgrade, unless they planned the turn lights to be integrated in it.

The headlight looks fine, but its too high. Lower it to tank level and it would probably look a lot meaner!

Just back from my SVC, Lotus TVS. Few points:

• Already the 2012 edition models are in display.
• Apache 160 gets dual-tone color scheme (I saw Matt Grey/Black [tank scoop color/body color], Green/Black)
• Apache 180 gets single color (thankfully!) and retains the RTR lettering & gold shox.
• NO change in Engine internals
• Switchgear is clearly of better quality.
• The DRL LED pilot lamp is cool and catchy.
• DC electricals now standard in all variants.
• Seats increased by 1 inch for rider as well as pillion.
• Front 'smaller' crash guard should fit older Apaches too.
• Tank scoops are an eye-sore and now the side profile of Apache looks disproportionate.
• now the real blow to RTR fans: no higher displacement Apache is on the cards, for 6 months minimum. This is confirmed news.
• The carbon-fiber look alike plastics on console/rear mud flap looks downmarket.
• New Tank scoop is not tightly integrated i.e about a half cm gap b/w tank and scoop.
• Front doom is not that bad, we will get used to it esp. with the cute pilot lamps.

In the lot, White Apache 180 looked far better. Some clicks of the same:

Beats me on why the disc is not an update but a change in console is.
You are missing the point Anant. What I am saying is the same. There has been nifty updates in the product line all along. Just like it happened in the Pulsar series.
The propogand it tried to derive is a epic PR failure, and more so due to attention whore of blogs and fanboys from other clans who killed the R15 when the CBR came, and then killed the CBR when Duke came, and now killing the TVS when it is coming.



Or they should grow balls.

The original RTR design was so much spot on, the concepts again, arse whooping brilliant.
THIS design seems to be like of an extension into a series.... may be a semi faired a la ZMA or P220



Series - 160, 180 series? or is there more?

Latest update on the Apache RTR Facebook Fanpage:

"Dear Apache Tribe

It gives us tremendous pleasure in informing that we have started the 2012 Edition Apache Series RTR despatches from our Mysore mother plant.

While we have commenced the despatches of the 2012 Apache Series RTR to our Dealer Network; these will reach across our network by end of this week.

We shall officially make Press Announcement by tentatively end of the week."

Thats going overboard, saying that they're on a path of self destruction and all. Lets reserve the harsher judgements for the announcement\unveiling today.

But yeah, better to be loyal to a product than a brand (brand RTR in this case).

no dude,every thing changes,even loyality....
There has been 3 TVS prods in our family till now...
If they are into a path of self destruction,why would we stay with them?? better follow somebody else....

Is this cosmetic mod coming only with 180 or is it being made on 160 too

If youre loyal, TVS wont lose you as a customer.

Well,I just changed my clutch plates at 34K kms and the Sprocket at 25K kms. I dont think,this is a big issue RTR had....even my last bike(Yamaha Gladiator) needed clutch plate and sprocket replacement at aroung 25 K.
The only geniune flaw on RTR is the stupid quality of switch assembly... I got both sides changed under warranty..... (Pulsar's switches are of much better quality)
But in last 2.5 years(35K Kms),have never faced rusting issue and console issue(not even in my 5 years old Star city,while my Gladiator had serious rusting issue).....the quality,though not great, has never been an issue(this may has to do with a good service back up at my place).
TVS,instead of doing these bizzare looking disastorous down grades,could have actually,made the Plastic quality better.
The old RTRs could have carried it further for a couple of more years,with just a minor upgrade-MONO SHOCK. But without a true enthusiast (like Rajib Bajaj),I dont see this company going any where.....

Certainly, it seems TVS is going to loose a loyal custumer in me....

Donno what was the cause, I blame the quality cuz I had KB100 for 5 years and FIERO for eight and I use to keep them the same way as I kept my FI, they never gave me any rusting issues.
And for the record, the chrome on KB100 was WOW !

And yes battery going kaput every year pissed me off as the battery on my Fiesta is 5 years old now and its still going strong !
I only changed the battery on my Fiero once in 8 years !

And true, FI never gave me trouble and the fuel pump worked fine.
The fuel filter placement was very bad and was a ***** to replace.



One clutch replacement in 14 years that too in Fiero is- !
The guy must be feeding throttle with utmost care !

And yes the clutch was 175 bucks only !
And that price was so tempting that I use to replace it when ever I felt like there was a lag between me feeding the throttle and bike surging forward ! Once I replaced it after 500kms, but changing it every 4000-5000kms was normal.
On total I replaced the clutch of my Fiero 16 times.
It was a record !

Hmm. I always thought the RTR has better plates, well all I can say is the grass is always greener on the other side.

To your question, yep 30K is def less.

Same here man, good to see you still around.

It's strange, i've often wondered how your bike has so much rusting, that too in a place like indore. My silencers (bend pipe, 2nd one that too) totally rusted, but i park my bike in the open, dust, heat and rain. But yeah, tvs component quality is mediocre to say the least. Battery surprisingly is still going strong, which is absolutely shocking after 3 1/2 years! But the main point i wanted to make is that the FI system is a complete success, not a failure as many make it out to be. The 180 didn't get Fi just because of the public fear and apprehension. Of course the fault lies with TVS for this.

Ok, with that kind of riding, then maybe! The fiero i'm talking about was used extensively, but with normal care. Still, one clutch replacement in 14 years is awesome huh? I didn't quite get that last bit, you're saying the clutch plate set for the fiero was just 175 bucks???!!!

Gotcha mate. But then i'm not impressed with the RTRs clutch as you've mentioned, because while i usually ride fast, i rarely did any wheelies/burnouts etc. on my Fi, and as i've already mentioned, mostly shift clutchless. With that kind of use, 30k seems less no?

Julian :- This is what I meant, the Fiero's clutch plates could not take abuse, if ridden properly, it would easily last a long long time.

Guys,

What about the launch. It is suppose to happen today rite. Where is the launch happening and at what time..
Please share the fotos if you got !!