TVS Poopache! Oops, sorry Apache!

So TVS manages to do this. Words don't fail me right now but then to criticize also there must be some motivation, right? :)

Pulsar 200NS took the entire industry by surprise it seems. Of course, other brands would love to respond. More so, once the bike gets launched. But a response like this is hilarious. Beats Karizma ZMR hands down in the ugliness quotient.

Looks like TVS has nothing new right now to offer. And looks like they are just out of their slumber to realize that they are way too behind now to save themselves from sinking to the bottom. Definitely looks like every department at TVS is trying hard to show that they are really working hard.

Criticism apart, what should TVS have done? Technological battles - twin-spark and triple-spark and so on - aside, there are quite a few ways to counter the threats from other brands. If, as is apparent, design is what they want to defend with, they can't overload themselves with 'design'. Heavier the armor, greater the chances of slow reflexes.

If all other bike-makers are launching fairing-driven designs, there's a chance to reveal a cool without-fairing design. If they are launching aggressive-looking naked bikes, there's a chance to launch a classy-looking naked bike.

Who's bloody heading the TVS design and marketing departments? And where's the lost CEO?

TVS Velocity 160

Source: xBHP.com

Source: xBHP.com

Even if TVS does decide to launch this one, I wonder what response they would garner. They are late. That apart, they are unimaginative.

The flanks look ridiculous. The silencer is a misfit. Can't comment on the specs though.

Apache RTR Hyper Edge is blunt

When I heard and read about the launch of Apache RTR Hyper Edge and saw the pics, I was surprised. For very obvious reasons Hyper Edge needed to be something more. Not just in performance but also in design. Besides, this was a strange case of giving a 'hyperbolic' name (without the corresponding changes) after the product has met with a fair amount of success anyway.

I realized that Hyper Edge is a fitting name more for Pulsar than for Apache RTR. Especially from a design perspective. I've tried breaking apart the designs of both the bikes to show why Pulsar is the Hyper Edgy bike.

Focus on the yellow lines below. Apache RTR Hyper Edge. These are the dominant lines I see when I look at the bike.

Now look at Pulsar.

You'll notice that there are fewer dominant lines (at least in the way I see) in Pulsar as compared to Apache Hype Edge. Lines seem to converge in Pulsar. Lines are closely aligned. Against this, lines in Apache are far more distant. They don't seem to converge. Forget edginess, there's very little to call sharp.

Fewer lines cut sharper. More lines will of course make the edge thicker. You get the logic, right?

Design apart, I love the sound of an Apache machine. There, they've got it right. But I guess the sound isn't enough (as it is for a Royal Enfield) to make it a cult.

160cc Apache RTR FI launched

Here's what the The Economic Times says:

Aiming to strengthen its presence in the premium segment, country's third largest two-wheeler maker TVS Motor Company on Monday launched an advanced version of its bike Apache fitted with fuel injection engine, priced at Rs 64,990.

The new bike Apache RTR FI would come with an 160 cc fuel injected engine.

"The fuel injection technology deployed in the RTR FI gives the motorcycle crisper throttle response and enhances its fuel efficiency," TVS Motor Company Head (Marketing) HS Goindi said.

"The company has strengthened its presence in the premium segment with this launch and we are planning to introduce two more products in this segment by the end of this year," TVS Motor Company General Manager (Marketing) K Ramakrishnan said.

The launch hasn't raised my eyebrows really but the last two lines have. Two more products in this segment by the end of this year! Now premium segment would mean 150cc and above. So which of these will we see in the market - Apache 180cc, 200cc, 225cc, 250cc or beyond? Or are we only gonna see one main launch like a 200cc and the other launch could be a variant, like we have for Apache 160cc? Let's see.

Now my personal views about 160cc Apache RTR FI. Will it be a seller?

What's the competition? In the sub-200cc Pulsar, Hunk, Unicorn & R15. Comparison can be done on various fronts. While R15 is in its own league, the other three lack the much glorified fuel-injection. So? Apache 160cc has a lead in that department. And? Apache has been the best-styled bike (yes, to my mind, better than the much hyped Flame) from the TVS stable. And yet it doesn't really impress in comparison to Hunk and Pulsar (even now). Anticipating that Bajaj is gonna launch something really market-shaker in this segment pretty soon, I doubt Apache RTR FI will do much to change the status quo.

A good bike but... All the best TVS.