TVS Apache RTR 180

The four-stroke Apache RTR 180 engine has a cubic capacity of 177.4cc, with its single cylinder sporting sportsbike-typical short-stroke measurements. It’s an attractive air-cooled power plant with sharply chiselled crankcases. Despite having only two valves, a carburettor and only a single spark plug the latest TVS flagship makes a meaty 17.3bhp of maximum power, which works its way through the crank at 8500rpm. Its peak torque number of 1.58kgm comes into play at 6500rpm.

The top speed and 0-60kph acceleration recorder are bound to be an absolute hit with the youngsters. Our test bike had both, but calibrated to read out optimistic figures — 0-60kph was a second faster, reading 3.6 seconds for a true time of 4.49sec. The RTR 180’s five-speed gearbox with near-identical ratios to the RTR 160 shifts with smooth precision in a one-down-four-up pattern.

This sporty motorcycle revs like a banshee all the way up to an impressive 12,000rpm, its quick-revving nature making the RTR 180 an ever-ready tool for hard riding. The power band is wide, firms up at 6000rpm and remains beefy all the way to 9000rpm, after which it quickly tapers. An Apache RTR 180 in the right hands will crack the 60kph barrier in 4.49sec and zip past 100kph in 13.84sec en route to an impressive top speed of 125kph in top gear.