After the success of the TVS Apache RTR 180 around the world, the TVS Apache RTR 250, is now expected to be cruising on the Indian roads by 2011.
The timing is pretty good we say since the company was a little left out as far as performance biking scene in India is concerned. Bajaj has the fastest India in the form of Pulsar 220 DTSi while Hero Honda has the Karizma ZMR but now they will have stiff competition from TVS’s new bike which will be launched in the market soon.
Carrying forward the Apache brand, the new bike will be called Apache RTR 250 which as the name suggests will come with a 250cc single cylinder engine, outstripping both the Pulsar 220 and the Karizma as far as cubic capacity is concerned but the engine cc isnt the best news about the new bike. The bike is reported to deliver a maximum 30 bhp @ 9000 rpm and a maximum 2.2 kgm for torque @ 8000 rpm, the highest in the segment and just 3 bhp shy of the mighty Ninja 250R! The engine will be mated to a 6 speed gearbox which when matched with the relatively light 140 kg kerb weight helps the new TVS achieve a top speed of 150 kmph.
The front suspension is the industry standard telescopic forks although upside forks would have added further spice to the whole package while the rear consists of a mono shock suspension supported by a rectangular swing arm. Stopping duties are handled by a 290mm disc brake at the front and 220 mm discs at the rear which would come with optional ABS, a first for any bike in India. The tyre size up front is 100/80 X 17 while the rear is a fat 130/70 X 17 mounted on standard six spoke alloy wheels.
The TVS Apache RTR 250 is likely to be available in four different colors to choose from- white, grey, yellow and black. The price range of the bike in India is expected to be about Rs. 1.1 lacs.
