2018 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V vs Suzuki Gixxer SP comparison

The Gixxer has so far topped each examination test, and not without reason. It's slick, fun and highlight rich and we're a nation of individuals who like that kind of bike, a considerable measure. That clarifies why we now have the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, which has its eyes sit solidly on deposing the Gixxer. How about we bounce directly into this fight, might we? 

STOP – LOOK – GO! 

The Gixxer started things out, and it's start to appear. It's dependably been a crazy looking bike despite everything it qualifies as one. The fuel tank bears an articulated hunch, which encourages you bolt onto the bicycle with your thighs and the upswept last part gives away its energetic aims in a moment. Its five-year old lines are pretty sans wrinkle right up 'til today, however you can tell that it's gotten aware of its age. The SP treatment isn't the most complimenting one – the blend of a shiny two-tone paint work with superfluous decals and an expansive bit of chrome on the fumes isn't especially elegant. In any case, it's a cool cruiser no one will mix up for a suburbanite. 

The RTR 160 4V is more pleasant to take a gander at. Its obtained lines (from the RTR 200 4V) have been fixed a bit, however despite everything it looks suggestive, paying little respect to where you see it from. It's obviously bigger, as well, and that is down to it beginning life as a 200, which is something worth being thankful for. The two bikes include advanced meters, coincidentally, however its the Gixxer that additionally includes an apparatus position pointer (which is truly useful); just the fuel-infused variation of the RTR gets one. Given the decision, I'd pick the RTR – yet you don't really need to concur with somebody who thinks dark all-climate Adidas shoes are trendy. Having said that, I do think the Gixxer should age all the more nimbly – what about some old-school hustling attires straightaway, Suzuki? 

Measurements      Apache RTR 160 4V      Gixxer SP 

Wheelbase                                    1357mm                                        1330mm 

Seat height                                     800mm                                        780mm 

Ground clearance                              180mm                                        160mm 

Kerb weight                                      145kg                                                135kg 

Fuel tank capacity                      12 litres                                       12 liters 

Tires (f/r)                                  90/90-17/130/70-17          100/80-17/140/60R-17 

Brakes (f/r)                                  270mm/200mm                      266mm/220mm 

Engine MOUTH 

The brief has dependably been clear in this fragment; speed is fundamental however not to the detriment of economy or true rideability. The Gixxer knows this very well indeed, which is the reason it has won each examination test, including our last one where it outmaneuvered the Bajaj Pulsar NS160, the Honda CB Hornet and the Yamaha FZ-S. Its 154.9cc engine has never been really popular for fragment driving execution, however it's an adorable thing in any case. The Gixxer's two-valve engine produces 14.8hp at 8,000rpm and 14Nm of torque at 6,000rpm, both of which are numbers that have ended up being great past simply the spec sheet. 

This is an engine tuned delightfully for low-end torque – urgent in the city – and its tractability through the greater part of its five riggings will please even those familiar with riding somewhat bigger bikes. Its energetic and responsive engine makes urban riding wonderfully including and, indeed, it's wheelie-cheerful as well! Be that as it may, it's on the expressway that the Gixxer starts to feel its size – not excessively, but rather you can tell. Past 90kph, it requests responsibility and steadiness; while it can in the long run go past 110kph, you will know you're being pushy on account of the vibrations and the stressed motor note. In the city, and in reasonably quick twisty bits, there's as yet nothing as enchanting as the Gixxer however. Having driven, visited and hustled with the Gixxer, I can vouch for that. 

The Apache hasn't been in the retribution lately, yet the RTR 160 4V at long last puts that to an end. What's more, how! The RTR's 159.7cc, four-valve engine is, in the first place, predominant as far as its yield figures – 16.5hp at 8,000rpm and 14.8Nm of torque at 6,500rpm are the new section benchmark. Be that as it may, that is by all account not the only purpose for its revival as a commendable contender in this fragment. TVS, as of late, has gotten a handle on the subtleties of building refined motors that go past simply inside and out speed, and it's appearing. The best case of its new learning must be the RTR 160 4V, and it's amazing how amiable and very much mannered it is. 

The RTR's refinement takes the amusement to a by and large new rise. The motor is a fresh, nearly numb engine at the base end however this isn't to imply that it's a slump; it simply doesn't feel as enthusiastic eared as the Gixxer. In any case, it compensates for it with a convincingly more grounded inclination top-end. The four-valve engine fondles obviously more developed and the light throttle activity adds to the sweet, neighborly reactions. In reality, it quiets your nerves, which is maybe the need of great importance in threatening rush hour gridlock conditions, for example, our own. Its five-speed gearbox comforts you assist by being slicker than the Gixxer's. By and large, the engine has a quality of certainty to it that is more in character with a greater cruiser – pleasant! In the city, the RTR feels quick yet undemanding, albeit forceful riding will acquaint you with a vibe-band that rises at 6,000rpm and scatters past 7,500rpm. Past this, the RTR keeps on working up and it feels more great doing as such the distance to its redline. The RTR is more qualified to the thruway also, where its downsized feel influences it to appear to be more calm than the Gixxer (in spite of the fact that not fantastically so) at each speed-point.  

Powertrain      Apache RTR 160 4V    Gixxer SP 

Engine                              159.7cc, 4-valve                    154.9cc, 2-valve 

Max power                   14.8hp at 8000rpm                  16.5hp at 8000rpm 

Max torque                     14Nm at 6000rpm                  14.8Nm at 6500rpm 

Fuel efficiency                   54.1kpl                                       48.7kpl 

TURN IT UP 

This is the place the old companionship revives. Both, Suzuki and TVS (simply being one after another in order amend here – no inclination!) know an awesome arrangement about making fun bikes. While they approach fun in various ways today, the outcomes are for you and I to delight in. Furthermore, let me say this comfortable start – you can't turn out badly with either! 

The Gixxer is the elitist youngster with a spring in its progression. It seats you more upright – I cherish the use its taller handlebar gives. Weighing 135kg, it's an exceedingly praiseworthy 10kg lighter than the RTR. It likewise has the shorter wheelbase of the two (1,330mm versus the RTR's 1,357mm) and that implies its nearly roar with laughter flickable – you'll exchange it to no end in case you're to a great extent city-bound. It corners naturally, helped by its intrinsically coordinated frame, as well as by its grippy and considerable tires – 100/80-17 and 140/60R-17 (front/raise). 

The Gixxer has the firmer suspension of the two, in any case. This works in the event that you have discovered that your motivation in life is to ride here and there an impeccably cleared twisty slope area. Yet, the vast majority of us haven't, and that implies you should keep an eye out for extremely awful streets and knocks. Its ride quality isn't awful thusly, and the Gixxer does well to feel like a very much built, shake strong bike, yet the Apache just feels more contemporary and rich in examination. 

The Apache says been-there, done-that like nothing else, and that is on account of it's valid. Having reveled adolescents with its flippant more established gen demonstrate (still marked down), the RTR 4V knows better. Its riding position is more dedicated on account of the lower handlebar however I'd exchange that in for a more upright unit, obviously – there's in no way like a tall 'bar for defective streets, for example, our own. In any case, the RTR feels less enthusiastic in the urban cut and push, however remunerates with its refined, develop reactions. The Apache has the favorable position in genuine cornering, in any case, and that is stating something since we cherish the way the Gixxer assaults corners! In the event that you consider your cornering important – with a clinical, circuit procured approach – you will be significantly more keen to the RTR. Its greater bicycle qualities are straightforwardly clear and keeping in mind that it might make the RTR appear to be less distracted (which it is; you will feel so particularly in the event that you have ridden a RTR 200 4V beforehand), this is a cruiser that can deal with corners in an exact, unsurprising manner that has so far been the area of greater machines. Its 90/90-17 and 130/70-17 tires (TVS Remoras) add to this tremendously also. Proceeding on the develop subject (pause, that sounds wrong...) is, maybe, what is the feature of the bundle – the suspension. Both, the adaptive fork and the preload-movable monoshock, are magnificently malleable over harsh streets and keeping in mind that it might be a smidgen too delicate for genuine track utilize, it's a reasonable trade off in reality. The RTR is likewise the better bike for a pillion, as far as seating and suspension solace, and you are allowed to banter with my significant other on this. An expression of alert, however – don't! 

BRAKE DANCE 

We had twin-circle variations of the two bikes for this test and, I should state, these are the ones you ought to settle on – the back plate forms (220mm on the Gixxer, 200mm on the RTR) are justified regardless of the additional mixture. Of the two, it's the RTR that is better on the brakes. Being heavier (and the one with the more drawn out wheelbase) it feels more planted under hard braking, and its tires adapt well as well. In correlation, the Gixxer sports a somewhat littler front plate (266mm, when contrasted with the RTR's 270mm circle), however its braking is, well, somewhat sensational. Its shorter wheelbase makes for more articulated weight exchange, and the vast majority of my 80-0kph trials finished in fabulous stoppies. Here's the catch, however; an ABS rendition of the Gixxer (and the faired SF) is now generation prepared and will be propelled soon. It will, obviously, be Rs 6,000-7,000 more costly, however it's a beneficial venture. On second thought, each bike in this section will be required to include ABS come 2019, and Suzuki merits healthy adulation for being the first to offer it, as opposed to sitting tight for it to end up a matter of consistence. We're frustrated that TVS hasn't done likewise, particularly since it was the first to offer an ABS-prepared cruiser in our market, with the Apache RTR 180 ABS. 

Theory of probability 

For all your adoration for corners, wheelies and looking cool, despite everything you have a firm eye on your wallet. In the event that that wasn't the situation, you'd be perusing our correlation story between the RR 310 and RC390 generally, correct? This is reasonable, and I'm glad to report that neither one of the motorcycles disillusions here, restoring an average level of proficiency thinking about the power and fervor on offer. The Gixxer, helped by its less effective engine and lighter weight, is the more productive of the two. It returns 54.1kpl on the interstate, in contrast with the RTR's 48.7kpl. This is a considerable contrast, however not a major issue when seen in separation. In the event that you can't help oppose the reserve funds, in any case, it's the Gixxer you must have. 

Buy SEQUENCE 

Evaluated at Rs 81,926 (SP, twin-circle, carburetted), the Gixxer is fun, beautiful and all around prepared, and has Suzuki's admirable form quality to support its allure. It's a cruiser you will never have a dull minute on, and that is justified regardless of a great deal to a large number of us. The Apache RTR 160 4V is a fragment more costly at Rs 84,490 (twin-circle, carb), yet it additionally improves. It's more contemporary, too fabricated if worse, and is more down to earth too. A large portion of all, it figures out how to be fun when you need it and quiet when you don't. It's been a fabulous keep running for the Gixxer, and the Suzuki is as yet a dazzling bike, yet TVS has done it once more. This bicycle is a victor!