2023 Bajaj Pulsar NS200 And Pulsar NS160 First Ride Review: Going...
- Mar 25, 2023
- Views : 7647
Our long term TVS Apache RTR200 4V was finding the going easy as my daily commuter in its initial days. However, the onset of Mumbai’s famous monsoons changed it all, as the city’s broken, pothole-ridden roads seemed to threaten its well-being. The bike seemed to take it all in its stride, unabated by the onslaught of the torture. I thank TVS Motor not only for their motocross expertise then, but also for the brilliant setup of the RTR200’s suspension.
Roads or no roads, the motorcycle has kept me smiling, and in fact, I’d go as far to say the RTR200 boasts of the best ride quality in its segment. On that note, the RTR200’s ability to soak bad roads might make you feel it probably won’t handle sportily, but the bike knows well how to display its alter ego. It is quick to offer ample confidence to lean hard into corners, especially thanks to the Pirelli rubber our long term bike is shod with. The tyres play a vital role in making it an able handler, as does the chassis that’s very communicative, unlike the Apache RTR180’s.
The turning radius is pretty wide, which can be an irritant, apart from calling for greater attention when negotiating through narrow gaps. Ours is the carburetted version, and it has had cold starting issues, but once the engine warms up there’s no issue with the fuelling. Its acceleration is certainly one of the bike’s fortes and 0-60kmph take offs always makes me smile, the throaty exhaust note adding to the experience. I do wish for a sixth cog at times though, especially at higher speeds.
On flip side, certain metal bits on the bike have begun rusting due to Mumbai’s coastal weather, which is a bit of a bother. What’s more, the front brake seems to have lost its progressive feel after the bike returned from its last service, and hard braking calls for more attention. The headlight had given up me on once as well, though luckily for me I wasn’t far away from home, and thankfully TVS was prompt to get it fixed.
Date Acquired: May, 2016
Total Km till Date: 4,224km
Fuel Efficiency: 40kmpl (overall)
Cheers: Ride Quality, High speed handling
Sneers: Headlight went bust, Rusting of parts
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