A two-pronged comeback story that is full of promise

After the lull, the storm appears to be brewing at TVS. The Hosur-based company, whose portfolio of offerings had stagnated over the last few years, shook things up by launching two new bikes this week. The Victor, a 110cc commuter that was TVS’ first indigenously built bike when it debuted nearly 15 years ago and arguably one of its biggest success stories, is back in a brand new iteration. The Apache also receives a significant upgrade at long last – a new 200cc variant will take on the mushrooming competition in the performance segment.

TVS will hope that the Victor challenges Hero’s considerable lead in the commuter bike space and the Apache, its flagship product, will once again capture the imagination of motorcycle enthusiasts, laying the base for future performance products including the long-awaited result of their collaboration with BMW Motorrad. AutoFocus was on hand at TVS’ test track in Hosur to put their new offerings through the wringer and deliver a quick first impression.

Rebooting the commuter The Victor doesn’t reinvent the wheel as far as the commuter class is concerned, but it does get a lot right. Its styling is mostly conventional, characterized by smooth flowing lines with very few sharp edges visible anywhere. The sculpted front dome featuring the TVS logo is a nice touch, as are the chrome badges on the side, which are a rarity in this segment. The switchgear and instrument cluster is where the Victor will have the edge over its competition. The quality of materials used and the range of features offered – including a digital speedometer, an analog tachometer, service needed and battery indicators, not to mention the hazard lamp and pass switches – are all unmatched in this segment.

The Victor features a brand-new 109.7cc engine that delivers 9.4 bhp of power at 7,500 rpm and 9.4 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm. This mill is quiet, efficient and smooth in its power delivery. The four-speed transmission offers fairly fluid shifting between the short, economy-oriented gear ratios.

Ride quality is good in the low to mid speed range, but the bike quickly starts to show its limits when pushed to the 70s and 80s. Vibrations in the front and mid-section make a pronounced presence at that point – clear signs that the bike is out of its comfort zone. To its credit, it does manage to push into the 90s if you’re persistent, but it will be a brave commuter who attempts that. The Victor would be very out of place on a highway, but as a everyday city machine, we expect the ride to satisfy most.

The frame is really light and flinging it about in traffic shouldn’t be a problem if you’re riding solo, but with a pillion rider it becomes less manoeuvrable. The suspension – telescopic in front and twin hydraulic springs in the rear – is a bit on the stiffer side, so off-road adventures will have to be kept to a minimum. We tested both the drum and disc versions and found both capable of handling the speeds the bike reached, although the disc will probably prove its worth when you find a stray cow suddenly obstructing your path.

TVS claims a mileage of 76 kmpl on the Victor. This will likely be only possible if you stay in economy mode, which has an upper limit of around 5,000 rpm. Priced at ₹49,490 (ex-showroom) for the drum version and ₹51,490 (ex-showroom) for the disc version, the Victor will be an attractive proposition with its premium features, solid performance and handling.

Attacking the predator class The Apache caused a lot of excitement when it was first launched. But that was 10 years ago and all it has seen since is engine capacity upgrades and minor features additions, along with the occasional ill-advised facelift. The new Apache RTR 200 heralds a significant upgrade to the platform – something fans have been waiting for with bated breath for some time now.

The new Apache is definitely reminiscent of its lower-powered siblings, but it has much more aggressive styling. The muscular protruding fuel tank is perfectly shaped to provide room for the rider’s legs and it also features air inlets that aid in cooling. The pillion seat – although elevated – is more comfortable than other split seats offered in the category. The unshielded instrument cluster, which crowns the wide headlamp, is the most direct indication of this bike’s preferred home – the track. It allows the rider to gauge lap times, top speed and shortest time in addition to the more vanilla options like trip distances and fuel. In short, the newest Apache does a lot to excite the rider even before the engine is switched on.

The Apache RTR 200 is powered by a newly developed 198cc four stroke, oil-cooled engine that develops 20.5 bhp of power at 8,500 rpm and 18.1 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. It produces a rough growl that is characteristic of the Apache line. Performance too, is frenetic and full of excitement without compromising on stability. TVS claims a top speed of 127 kmph; we managed 123 kmph. The characteristic Apache vibrations are present, but not in sufficient force to hinder riding up to about 9,000 rpm. And considering the bike’s rev-limiter cuts in at 9,500 rpm, they hardly make a difference.

The Apache feels very planted and inspires a lot of confidence going into corners with speed. We were able to tackle the curves at the TVS test track in the low 80s with effortless ease. The monoshock in the rear played a big part in that, ensuring that the couple of uneven patches of tarmac on the track were barely noticed. However, they pale in comparison to the bumps on our roads, so real world riding experience may vary.

Braking is handled by a 260mm petal disc in front and a 240mm disc in the rear - sufficient stopping power to bring the bike to standstill from high speed at a moment’s notice.

The bike is available in two variants – one with a Keihin carburettor and another with a Bosch Fuel Injection system. The FI variant also comes with Pirelli tires as standard, which makes it is an altogether smoother package. ABS will also be available in the near future according to TVS. Our more detailed opinion will have to wait for the full road test.

The Apache RTR 200 will excite young riders with its aggressive styling. Performance and handling is also very impressive and with very affordable pricing that starts just shy of ₹89,000 (ex-showroom), it could be the standard bearer for a new generation of motorheads.