TVS Motor Company recently launched the new Apache RTR 165 RP in the Indian market. TVS Racing’s mainstay the Apache series now gets an enhanced entry-level motorcycle with a limited production run of just 200 units. The motorcycle comes under the new RP series which stands for Race Performance. According to TVS, the RTR 165 RP is crafted for a singular purpose that is delivering performance.
The TVS Apache RTR 165 RP is the direct competitor to Yamaha’s latest YZF-R15 V4. The motorcycle is also one of the most advanced in the segment and offers both track riding performance and efficient on-road dynamics. In this technical comparison, we pin the Apache RTR 165 RP against the benchmark-setting Yamaha YZF-R15 V4.
The Apache RTR 165 RP comes with a starting price of INR 145,000 ex-showroom. The motorcycle comes with TVS Racing decals with a combination of White, Blue, and Red colours. The TVS Apache RTR 165 RP also comes with a ‘Racing Since 1982’ sticker on the right side of the front cowl panel. The Yamaha YZF-R15 V4 comes with a price tag starting at INR 170,800 ex-showroom. The brand offers the Yamaha YZF-R15 in three colour options – Metallic Red, Dark Knight and Racing Blue. The top-spec Racing Blue colour option comes with a price tag of INR 175,800 ex-showroom.
Powering the Apache RTR 165 RP is a 164.9cc, single-cylinder, 4-valve engine. The engine comes with a new cylinder head with 35% enlarged intake ports and twin electrode spark plugs. The engine also comes with 15% bigger, Hi-Lift-Duration Controlled camshafts and dual spring actuators. The new engine produces 19.2 PS of power and 14.2 Nm of torque. The Apache RTR 165 RP comes with a 5-speed gearbox.
On the other hand, the Yamaha YZF-R15 V4 features, the Japanese brand’s venerable, 155cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine. The engine comes with variable valve actuation technology which offers both efficiency and performance at the same time. The engine produces 18.1 Bhp of power and 14.2 Nm of torque. The R15 comes with a 6-speed transmission unit.
The TVS Apache RTR 165 RP comes with a double cradle Syncro Stiff, race performance chassis. The motorcycle rides on Showa Race tuned Telescopic Forks on the front and a Showa Race tuned Mono Shock on the rear. The brand offers a 270mm petal disc on the front and a 240mm petal disc on the rear. The YZF-R15, on the other hand, features the Deltabox chassis that rides on a 37mm inner tube diameter upside-down suspension unit on the front and a link-type monoshock on the rear. The bike gets 282mm front and 220mm rear disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
The Apache RTR 165 RP comes with features such as a premium seat design that claims ‘Magnet-Like Grip’. The bike also comes with digital racing control. The bike gets a 0-60 timer and top speed recorder. The bike also comes with all LED Class 5 LEDs. The YZF-R15 comes with features such as Class D bifunctional LED headlight, Y-Connect enabled fully-digital instruments cluster, traction control and quickshifter on higher-spec models.
Also Read: TVS Apache RTR 165 RP launched at INR 1,45,000, only 200 units