Yamaha MT-15 V2 vs TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Comparison Road Test: A Friend For Life

  • May 30, 2022
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In this battle of sporty and stylish motorcycles, which one makes sense for both: the college goes and the parent

When you’re a teenager (or in your early twenties), convincing your parents to let you do anything can be an arduous task, especially if that task is getting you a sweet ride. So, let us help you here. Because in this shootout, we have two motorcycles that while being stylish and sporty, make good sense for your parents too. And if they are just going to take a look at the brochure and the price tag, one motorcycle might have a clear edge. But things aren’t so. So, here’s how the Yamaha MT-15 V2 aims to punch up to the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V.

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If it is hits, likes, follows and saves that you are chasing, then clearly you will gravitate towards the MT-15 V2. Just look at it. Despite not a single new design element being added to the bike, the new chunky golden USD fork refreshes the feel of the streetfighter. Add to that the funky colours that accentuate the bike’s youthful spirit, and you get a Yammie that’s oh so yummy.

The RTR is a little too serious for its own good. This racer boy look that it has donned has been around since 2016. So, it could do with a fresh look pretty soon.

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The Apache strikes back by being the more tech-savvy motorcycle of the two. The console is larger, cleaner and easier to read. It gets three riding modes but you’re obviously going to stick around in Sport only. The suite of smart features is also pretty comprehensive on the RTR, with turn-by-turn navigation being a great tool for a newbie rider to navigate their way around unseen city streets.

Alive And Kicking 

Specs

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Yamaha MT-15 V2

Engine

197.7cc single, air-/oil-cooled

155cc single, liquid-cooled with VVA

Power

20.82PS at 9000rpm

18.4PS at 10000rpm

Torque

17.25 at 7250rpm

14.1Nm at 7500rpm

Gearbox

5-speed

6-speed

And since we are talking about the streets, the RTR’s displacement advantage cannot be overlooked. It is not surprising that it manages to leave the MT behind in a trail of dust, given that it makes so much more power and torque from its relatively less sophisticated motor. It remains eager as ever, energetic at 3000rpm and more, and even feels happy sauntering around in 4th doing 45-50kmph.

Acceleration

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Yamaha MT-15 V2

0-60kmph

4.37s

4.95s

0-80kmph

7.35s

8.50s

0-100kmph

12.23s

14.28s

On the MT, you have to deal with its numb and almost lifeless bottom-end performance. There’s simply no joy below 6000rpm and it is only when you wring the throttle wide open does it feel like an MT.  

Roll-on acceleration

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Yamaha MT-15 V2

30-70kmph in 3rd gear

5.57s

5.85s

40-80kmph in 4th gear

7.34s

7.54s

Both bikes make commutes easy with their light clutches and slick shifts but the RTR is just a smidge better. But tractability is the Yamaha’s strong suit. It feels so effortless to just stick it into a higher gear and ride in town. The Apache makes you work the gearbox a bit, which is no big task.

Fuel efficiency

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Yamaha MT-15 V2

City

47.61kmpl

56.87kmpl

Highway

49.80kmpl

47.94kmpl

Fuel tank capacity

12 litres

10 litres

As a result, along with the fact that the Yammie is displacing around 42 cee cees less, it comes as no surprise that it is the more frugal of the two bikes in the city. The two bikes deliver nearly the same highway fuel efficiency as both are equally proficient at cruising at 85-90kmph. It is when you start to push the bikes further that the Yamaha might just return a better fuel efficiency score.

The Compromises

Both motorcycles need the rider to be quite fit. Why? Let’s start with the RTR 200, which has quite an aggressive riding posture for the lower half of your body. For riders with large legs, this cramped posture will make it difficult to spend long hours in the saddle.

The MT’s nice and upright riding posture doesn’t put such strain on any limb. It is just that stockier riders will find themselves locked into the scoop of the seat that doesn’t have adequate cushioning.

And then there’s the way the MT handles bumps and bad roads. Matured riders will feel the thuds and jolts getting to them. While you can ride the teenage hormones and not fuss much about ride quality, you will start to appreciate the plusher setup of the RTR, especially over broken stretches of tarmac. And you will reap the benefits of it in the twisties.

Decades of Experience vs Teen Spirit

The RTR 200 ranks high in our list of beginner sport riding motorcycles. Decades of racing lineage put to the road and it shows. It feels super confident in the bends and is quite forgiving too, a great trait for someone who is just getting the hang of riding.

Even though the MT feels very light and agile, it doesn’t quite match up to the RTR’s handling prowess. The street friendly upright ergonomics restricts body movement and feels a bit too sharp at times. Plus, the ride gets easily unsettled over mid-corner bumps and it could lead to a nervy moment or two.

Braking

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Yamaha MT-15 V2

80-0kmph

29.46m

35.05m

60-0kmph

16m

19.79m

Over the years, TVS has taken giant strides in improving the braking performance of the RTR 200 4V. It stops far better than before, certainly takes less road to come to a halt than the MT and with dual-channel ABS feels more sure-footed.

Picking A Friend


You tend to build strong friendships in your college days. And your parents know who amongst your friend circle are your good friends and who are your ‘great’ friends. Similar is the case with picking one of these two motorcycles. Choosing the Yamaha MT-15 V2 is the start of a great friendship, one that is based on lots of fun and excitement. However, this friendship usually tends to be short-lived and you develop newer friendships.

Picking the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V then is like gaining a best friend for life, one who has been right there with you from the start, knows about your wrongdoings, helps you get better, and is also great with your parents. And these friendships last long.

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