Re: Which bike is best for touring and commuting between Apache RTR 200 and Yamaha R15s ?

Query Approved

You have summarized the points correctly. The Apache would indeed be a better commuter and cheaper to fix in case of slow speed tip overs. The R15 would be better on the highways. The Apache indeed runs out of breath post 100kmph and needs to pushed beyond. The R15 comfortably will cruise faster.

No bike is perfect, these two aren't an exception to that rule! See what is a bigger priority, city commuting or highway riding!

Re: Which bike is best for touring and commuting between Apache RTR 200 and Yamaha R15s ?

As Monk has rightly pointed out - prioritize and get the bike but with assumption that every bike will have some pro and con. So think which con you can live with and which one you can not live with. Some pointers to help you decide are below -
1) R15 - Proven, established in all aspects. If you are looking for 1lakh or less faired bike that is good for touring and commute, go for this without 2 minds. There are many who have done even 700-800 in a day on R15. I mean, even though its stance is aggressive/sporty - its more about being used to it and being fit to handle fatigue for long runs.

2) Apache RTR 200 4V - Good bike based on initial reviews. If its your first bike and you are deciding on this one, I would suggest wait for few more months - so that niggles in the initial few batches are sorted out. In any case (buy it immediately or later), based on TVS's track record - I am sure you won't be regretting it later. They do make excellent bikes and apache series has been earning good NCAP ratings (just in case you want proof in terms of facts and numbers).

Note that R15's power even after being 150cc bike is 21 ps in comparison with Apache's 20 ps for 200cc. Reason being, R15 is sports and premium bike from Yahama, while Apache is supposed to score decent on all aspects of motorcycling (commute, tour, track). Also, Apache's stance being more straight compared to R15, pushing bike after 100-110 might need little effort like bending forward. Yet, given the claimed top speed of apache being 134km/hr - 100-110 should be possible all day. I have heard apache 180 owners cruising on 100 all day and still engine not giving any problems. R15 can go even past 120 comfortably, with sport's stance and superb engine response at high rpms.

Both will make you equally happy and you can't go wrong with either.

On the other hand, thought to suggest you something more. Please ignore if your questions got answered above and you aren't interested in reading any further nonsense. ;-)

Pulser AS 200 / RS 200 - Both are making their users happy. They are improved versions of already great bike (NS) from Bajaj. However, as of most other owners, Bajaj has very poor reputation for after-sales service. If you can live with it, I am sure you can consider these bikes as well.

Gixer SF and Hornet 160 - I have been hearing good feedback from owners of these. You can take test drive if you feed interested. Note that Suzuki's presence is less compared to others (Bajaj, tvs, Honda etc), so service network might be a problem in remote areas (not sure about this so just highlighted). Honda also has mixed feedback for after-sales service.

Duke 200 - Good bike but considering your requirement, I feel that this will be too aggressive as KTM bikes are totally different breed. Take a test ride if you feel like.

Cheers,
Prasad M

Re: Which bike is best for touring and commuting between Apache RTR 200 and Yamaha R15s ?

+1 to what Monk sir said.
I being the owner of 2.5 year old R15 V2 can confirm that R15 will be much more expensive to repair, if there is a crash. The body panels are expensive but are easily available in any authorized service center. The bike is butter smooth and will cruise at triple digit speeds all day long without breaking a sweat. City riding brings pain on the wrists and shoulders but you get used to the aggressive stance after a few thousand kms on the saddle. The bike is super reliable and does not gives any problems, just fill it shut it and forget it. There are no extra cost to its ownership except regular servicing which comes at 3000kms. The first 6 free services cost around 800-900Rs depending on the tax in your state. The paid service comes around 1500-1700Rs. If you don't have a crash, there is no extra money or care to be spent for the bike.

RTR200 will not be as smooth as R15. Will hardly go over 100, but as you are new rider you should not be thinking about going past 100. The service centers are good and being a naked street bike, there are no major body panels or fairings that could take damage in case you happen to drop your bike. So low cost of maintaining. Right now it is hard to comment on how the long time reliability of the bike is, but the previous RTRs were good and served the owners well for lot of years. hope the same for the new one.

My advice would be to get the RTR200. But don't take any decision without taking test rides.
All the best for the bike hunt.
[MENTION=73437]prasadkool123[/MENTION] : Brother, slight correction on your post. The R15 costs about 1.32 lakhs on road, not sub 1 lakh. and it produces 17 horse power instead of 21. The top speed is mostly because its a racing tuned engine designed to give power output at very high rpms and the aerodynamic body providing minimal air resistance. Cheers.

Re: Which bike is best for touring and commuting between Apache RTR 200 and Yamaha R15s ?

Thanks for correction bro.. My bad..

Cheers,
Prasad M

Re: Which bike is best for touring and commuting between Apache RTR 200 and Yamaha R15s ?

THANKS A LOT GUYS YOUR FEEDBACK WAS VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.



@The Monk : you are absolutely right whether you spend 1lakh(Honda, TVS, Yamaha, Bajaj) or 10lakh(Ducati, BMW, DSKBenelli) etc no bike is perfect. Decision should be made according to the purpose he or she want achieve from their bike.

@prasadkool123 : very informative answer.

@Ankey : your maintenance feedback for R15 is very truthful. Not to offend you Bro but there are some guys who circulate wrong reviews just to divert us to achieve something good. Glad to know you are not one of them

Re: Which bike is best for touring and commuting between Apache RTR 200 and Yamaha R15s ?

Guys before i decide what to buy please answer my last query. As @The Monk sir told that no bike is perfect and depend upon the riders purpose. So here are my requirements.

Actually i am a beginner, hardly rode Hero Glamour for around 50 to 55 km and this is my first bike i am going to buy as you understand basically most people of India and we students can’t afford two or three bikes for different puposes so we want a complete package to cater our needs. So it become very tedious work to choose a perfect bike. As a student i will look for bikes with good performance, looks, bullet-proof reliability(it is my first bike so its an obvious i am going to preserve it, if possible lifetime ) and importantly moderate maintenance(not exceeding more than 2k)
Obviously, i am going to use my bike for daily commuting whether it is going to college or escorting my relatives from railway station. But apart from that i also want to use it for touring purpose. Frankly speaking guys but i love to travel specially alone. When i watch all those motor blog in youtube especially people who travels with their ride to different places of India discovering our nation vast culture. It just excite me a lot. Recently i watch a documentary of a biker's group who went to Ladakh with their bikes. It was truly trilling and enthralling with breath taking view of Leh. Whether it is riding upon highest motorable road on earth or camping near the beautiful pangong lake. All this things simply excite me and pump my adrenaline rush. Well i am boring you speaking about my feeling so jumping right to the point.
Yes i also need a bike which can also be use for touring purpose, not for extensive touring(as i m also a beginner can't go to 800km ride simply) but a weekend ride around 300 to 500 km max.
So, here i mention my complete criteria, my needs and my love for touring. Hope you guys can understand and provide more informative feedback. And yes i completely relying upon you guys because your decision will be my decision
Before ending can you please tell me at what speed should i maintain while cruising in highway without stressing my engine(both RTR 200 and R15) much? i m plannin for ladkh trip next year on this bike. Is it a good choice(obviously after 3 to 4 servicing and good amount of riding experience) ?

[Note : don't recommend bajaj pulsar bikes as i said above bike should have great reliability and good maintenance which bajaj bikes lack off and Duke or RC is quite powerful for beginner. So please decide from this two bikes. ]

Re: Which bike is best for touring and commuting between Apache RTR 200 and Yamaha R15s ?

Take a test ride of both the bikes mentioned and as well as other bikes possible. See which one you connect to the most. That's most important. Any bike can be used for touring. I have personally seen 100-110cc bikes being used for touring though it has its own limitations.
From your post I can see you need a bike for daily commuting and those occasional tours. Rtr 200 can do it as well as the R15 s. I would suggest wait out for couple of months if Rtr 200 is what you want. Few niggles have been reported by the users and it should be sorted out in the next production. The R15 is a proven bike. Don't think that 150cc machine is less potent in any way. I have personally ridden it and know its prowess.

The best cruising speed I feel is anywhere between 90-105 kph. Coming from Rtr myself and then upgrading to Karizma, I believe more than speed its the rpm range at which the bike is comfortable the most. For the Rtr it is between 6000-7000 rpm. On the R15 I felt it is a a about 105 kph. Not sure about the rpm. On Karizma it is 5500 rpm which is about 90 kph.

Re: Which bike is best for touring and commuting between Apache RTR 200 and Yamaha R15s ?




Apart from apache rtr 200 or R15s, i also had a interest on Royal Enfield Himalayan. But there is some issue I heard from many people who recently own Himalayan. Even one issue was so serious that the guy brought a new bike and rode it about a few km from showroom. His whole engine got failed. Since this is a new bike in the Royal Enfield stable having lots of niggles which are yet to be corrected. Also the customer service is horrible especially in Kolkata.
But it is a great bike which can fulfill all my purpose. Only this are the few issue which is concerning me.

And the rpm for rtr 200 you have mentioned is around 6000-7000 rpm. Can you elaborate how much kmph will be achieved under said rpm ?

Re: Which bike is best for touring and commuting between Apache RTR 200 and Yamaha R15s ?

If you like the R15S, go for it. Though your apprehensions are legit. Being a faired bike, R15S invokes a fear of higher maintenance. But, after a few initial weeks, you start to feel confident and that's it! Going for a zero depreciation insurance is also a good idea. Regarding cruising speed, my suggestion would be 90-100 kmph on a R15S. Not that it can't cruise in a higher speed but that's a safe zone. I had maintained an average of 75kmph on my SS-125 on my trip to Bakkhali a year back(totaling around 330km.s in a single day - still enough was left for another 150-200 km.s). The main forte of R15S is the riding pleasure at higher RPMs.
RTR200 on the other hand is a very good prospect on paper. Sufficient low end torque is good for city commute but one drawback is the top-end. Also, if you get one , that would be from the initial batches and chances are there that there might be a niggle or two which is going to get rectified later on. If you are willing to wait for a few months, then nothing like it. Mind it, RTR 180(ABS) is a beautiful machine.
As other options, you can lave a look at FZ FI/Hornet/Gixxer. All of them are naked commuters and are good if you don't feel like going for a faired bike.
Take your time, choose wisely.

Re: Which bike is best for touring and commuting between Apache RTR 200 and Yamaha R15s ?

I am not sure about the odometer reading on Rtr 200 at 6000-7000 rpm's. I have previously owned the Apache 160 and that's the rpm I have felt most comfortable riding it on the highways. In the cities its an awesome machine with good tires on. So I believe the Rtr200 will be even more fun.

Re: Which bike is best for touring and commuting between Apache RTR 200 and Yamaha R15s ?

Bro as i know R15 got 17bhp while RTR 200 at higher 20bhp