Being the first motorcycle from TVS with the RP or Race Performance tag, it has a lot riding on it since we expect more models in the TVS Apache line to get a similar treatment. TVS has always been known for its commitment to racing and they use their experience as a platform to improve their production motorcycles.

Now, the most prominent change in the motorcycle is the heavily reworked engine. The motorcycle is now powered by a 154.9cc, 4-valve, single-cylinder engine that makes 19.2 bhp of power at a lofty 10,000 rpm. The RTR 160 4V makes 17.5 bhp of power and it was already a class leader! The torque though has gone down marginally. While the base 160 4V makes 14.7 Nm of torque, the Apache RTR 165 RP makes 14.2 Nm at 8,750 rpm. Basis this, it has a much higher power output than any other motorcycle in the class.
TVS has claimed that this increase in power comes as a result of some significant changes to the engine's innards. 15% bigger valves controlled by Hi-Lift-Hi-Duration cams and dual-spring actuators result in a racier engine. The bore stroke ratio has also been revised to 1.37 which allows for a freer-revving engine and higher redline. To cope with the higher performance and compression ratio, the engine now uses a new dome piston.

In terms of other features, most of the things remain the same on the hardware level but have been tuned to some degree. The TVS Apache RTR 165 RP gets a slipper clutch, adjustable brake and clutch levers, and the same 5-speed gearbox. In terms of suspension, the motorcycle gets Showa Race tuned Telescopic Forks and Showa Race tuned Mono Shock on what seems to be the same chassis as the RTR 160 4V. The front disc remains the same at 270mm but the rear disc on the Apache RTR 165 RP is a 240mm unit compared to the 200mm unit of the RTR 160 4V.
For the most part, the design of the motorcycle remains the same as the RTR 160 4V but the Apache RTR 165 RP gets a special livery. As mentioned earlier, the motorcycle is limited to 200 units and priced at INR 1.45 lakh (Ex-Showroom) which is significantly higher than the RTR 160 4V. In fact, the pricing is somewhere between the different variants of the RTR 200 4V. But then, so are the power figures.




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