I'm really very late in writing this content, but anyways.... TVS Motor Company has introduced the Race Performance (RP) version of the existing Apache RTR 160 4V few days back. In this article, let's discuss about the newly launched model and about my opinion. But before that, let's see about what I expected when I came to know about the the trademarking of the name by the bike maker. As per the name Race Performance, I very much expected a motorbike with fairing. Though the motorbike's engine is air cooled, I though they might just modify the cooling system with RAM air for increasing the overall aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle. But the manufacturer gave us the naked model by doing some work on the power and valve train. Now let's see about the most powerful model in the segment.
The first thing which we have to notice is the increase in engine's capacity. As we all guessed, sitting inside the block is a new 164.9cc cylinder kit and the engine is capable of producing about 19.2PS at 10,000rpm and 14.2Nm at 8,750rpm. Compared to the 160 4V version, there's about increase in power by 1.5PS. But the increase in cylinder volume is not only the reason where the bike maker has played with other things too. Yeah... Intake port in the cylinder head is now 35% higher and so the valves which is 15% bigger. Changes are not only limited to the intake system. Valve train now consists of high profile cam lobes for high lift and duration. Valve train is made of ultra high strength alloy and the valves are now operating with a help of dual return springs. Sparkplug consists of twin electrode for better combustion process and the bore to stroke ratio is revised.
We all know that due to the new cylinder kit, piston should be redesigned. Instead of adding a flat top piston, the bike maker has implemented a dome piston. Compared to the normal piston, the volume is increased in top of the piston, which directly increases the compression ratio. All together helps in squeezing out extra ponies from the motor. I'm not sure whether the ignition and injection maps in the ECU is altered. Will update here once I get any info about it.
Rear monoshock is now precisely tuned for compression and rebound damping and most importantly for stiffness to add some more essence to the racier feel. Rear disc rotor's size has been increased to 240mm with petals. Other things like chassis and exhaust stays same as before. But, I think by adding a free flow exhaust, there'll be even more slight increase in power. Just a guess. Red rims, color scheme and logos increase the aesthetic value of the motorbike and also it looks nice & cool. The same race tuned slipper clutch helps the engine mating to a 5 speed transmission system. Red finish on the single piece seat grabs our attention like anything and so the sticker works.
The motorbike is launched with a price tag of Rs 1,45,000 ex-showroom. But we also have to notice that this RP version is only limited to 200 units which I think is a disadvantage because, this is one of the best entry level sports machine which suits for people who love to rip it on the tracks. As said previously, I expected very much a race styled fairing for this motorbike which would've became the perfect rival to the R15. As this is the first RP version of the motorbike, we can also expect the bike maker to launch more RP models in the upcoming years.
Image courtesy - TVS Motor Company
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