TVS Apache RTR 160 4V Carb: 3,900km Long Term Report

Published January 14, 2019
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Little Red visits the service centre for periodic maintenance

After a fair share of road trips, it was time for our long-term Apache RTR 160 4V to visit a service centre for its periodic maintenance. And since ours is a ‘media bike’, it doesn't follow the standard service schedule of getting a free first and second service and so on. Instead, it gets a fix-all-issues service in which the bike gets an oil-change, chain cleaning, etc. and the technicians fix all issues reported by us. If you’ve been following my reports, you'll know by now that the bike had a cold-start issue and was holding higher revs than normal once the engine got up to temperature. Both of these issues were reported to the service centre and here’s what happened.

It was a little difficult to explain to the technician on how the bike was holding a higher rpm at idle (close to 3000rpm at times). I even tried enquiring as to why this problem was occurring and was met with a standard reply: “We will check and get back to you.” The other issue of cold-starts was reported again too, but we had little hopes of getting it fixed. Additionally, this time around, the battery warning indicator lit up on the instrument console, which they made a note of in the job card as well.

I collected the bike the next day around the same time I dropped it the day before, and it was waiting for me all clean and polished. I took a quick test ride on which it became apparent that the bike was running on new oil. Riding it for a longer duration revealed that the rpm-holding issue was taken care of as well. The battery indicator too seemed to have been fixed and everything looked tip-top again. The cold start issue still bugs me once in a while, but apart from that, I’ve had no complaints.

What I liked about the whole experience was the constant communication from the service centre. I received text messages when the bike was taken in, one message when the servicing was done, a call for pickup and then a feedback call a day later. The service centre even had a glass partition between the servicing bay and the customer lounge from where one could watch the work being done on their two-wheeler.

Now comes the cost of service. Like I mentioned, this wasn't a standard service and hence, I cannot comment whether it is equivalent to a second or third service for a regular bike. But the total cost for the oil change as well as other periodic maintenance (no replacement) came out to Rs 776. The last time we did an oil and oil filter change and were billed Rs 912.

As of now, the bike is running well but the low-beam filament in the headlight has stopped working. I will be getting that replaced in a couple of days and will mention the cost in the next report. Stay tuned and ride safe!

Acquired month: April 2018
Acquired km: 600km
Km till date: 3,900km

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V (2009-2025) Video Review

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Abhijit Jadhav | 7 years ago My experience with TVS service centre was quite good. They were eager to solve my problems and provided me with good tips. I visited their mumbai (Malad). I guess it depends upon service centre you visit. However if you really want them to take this issue seriously, feel free to communicate with them by visiting their website. I hope they will help you. ...Read More 1 Reply

abhay | 7 years ago Bike is fabulous but if we talk about service so I don't find good service and gud sense of humour even workers were not paying attention towards customer. Specially rajapuri dynamic service centre it's totally bad. It was my 4th time and most of the time they said to me our system is not working 😡 ...Read More 0 Reply

Ravi | 7 years ago Hi, I have a few issues with my Apache rtr 160 4v,First and foremost the heating issue, the bike heats up quickly within long rides for around 1-1.30 hour the engine gets hot so hot that it burns the start plug & then the bike just shuts down & the only solution to this is to change spark plug everytime this happens otherwise the bike won't start without it. Have to carry a couple of spare spark plugs for the same issue.Have complained about the same to the workshop but couldn't get the work done. Apart from that, the odd sound while braking both front & rear. When complained about the same the workshop mechanic did applied oil to it & it went smooth for about a week but after that again same problem. So, this too doesn't find a permanent solution.Rest the bike works well pick up is great, it flicks superbly around the corners, gets to 100km's speed preety easily and have smooth ride quality. ...Read More 0 Reply

sai | 7 years ago I rode 2500km on my Apache RTR 160 4v I'm also facing the same issue that after riding in heavy traffic sometimes the rpm at 3000 rpm even though it is in ideal position 0 Reply

Tamii | 7 years ago Did you take the bike for long rides in highways .. is it good for touring 0 Reply

Pradeep | 7 years ago I also facing these. Problems.even i raised a complain regarding high rpm or 1st service charges.1st services charges was 916rs.also dynamic rajapuri service centre is so 3rd class ever i seen. 0 Reply