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TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

More power than the base RTR 160, still stuck with a rear drum

By , founder and editor

Updated

Prices checked

Specs source: TVS

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V right side view · Image: BikeWale, used under licence

In short

The Apache RTR 160 4V uses an oil-cooled 159.7cc four-valve single making about 17.3bhp, priced from ₹1.16 lakh with ABS standard across the range. It sits above the base RTR 160 on performance and tech, but the rear drum brake persists on every variant except the flagship USD-fork trim.

Engine
160 cc
Power
17.31 bhp
Claimed mileage
41.4 kmpl
Kerb weight
144 kg

What works

  • 17.3bhp and 114kmph top speed beat the base RTR 160
  • Single-channel ABS standard from the very first variant
  • USD forks available on the range-topping Dual Channel ABS trim
  • 5-year, 60,000km warranty matches TVS's commuter range

What doesn't

  • Rear drum brake on six of eight variants
  • Real-world mileage around 41-42kmpl, modest for a 160cc
  • Priced close to 180cc rivals like the Pulsar 180

Best for: Sporty first bike, City and highway mix, Upgraders from 125cc

Price and variants

Ex-showroom Delhi. On-road estimate for Delhi; other cities on the price page.

Ex-showroom Delhi, the Apache RTR 160 4V range runs from ₹1,16,491 (Single Disc ABS) to ₹1,32,389 (Dual Channel ABS - USD Forks) across 8 variants.

That makes it priced 14th lowest among the 75 sports bikes we have reviewed. Its closest price rivals are the FZ V3 (₹133 less) and the CB 125 Hornet (₹1,179 less).

On the road in Delhi, budget about ₹1.36 Lakh for the base variant once 8% Delhi road tax, registration and five-year third-party insurance are added. Dealers often quote higher by bundling accessories, extended warranty and handling charges; all three are negotiable.

VariantEx-showroom

Single Disc ABS

₹1,16,491

Single Disc ABS - Black Edition

₹1,18,035

Dual Disc - ABS

₹1,19,695

Dual Disc - ABS - Bluetooth

₹1,22,730

Special Edition

₹1,25,203

Dual Channel ABS

₹1,26,463

Single Channel ABS [2026]

₹1,27,503

Dual Channel ABS - USD Forks

₹1,32,389

On-road price in 10 cities, with an EMI calculator

Mileage

Apache RTR 160 4V's claimed mileage is 41.4 kmpl, and unusually, owners and our own riding land right on it: expect 41–42 kmpl in everyday use. Few bikes get this close to their brochure figure.

Among the 67 sports bikes we have reviewed it ranks 36th for mileage, right on the group average of 42 kmpl.

Running cost per month and five-year ownership estimate

Engine and ride

Power comes from a 160cc single producing 17.31 bhp and 14.73 Nm, paired with a 5 Speed. At 144 kg the power-to-weight figure is 120 bhp per tonne, which ranks 43 of 73 in its class here.

The torque and power figures are well balanced, so it neither needs to be revved hard nor feels lazy when you do.

Chassis hardware includes a rear monoshock and single-channel ABS, with a disc, 270 mm, 2 piston caliper up front and drum, 130 mm at the rear.

At 800 mm the seat is average for the class; most riders from 5'5" up will be comfortable at stops.

Our review

Riding impressions and the buying advice a spec sheet cannot give.

Verdict

The Apache RTR 160 4V is TVS's step-up from the base RTR 160, swapping in an oil-cooled four-valve engine that lifts power to about 17.3bhp and top speed to 114kmph, for a starting price near ₹1.16 lakh. It is the more grown-up choice in the family, though it still leans on a rear drum brake for most of its range.

Riding it every day

Power delivery feels punchier through the midrange than the base RTR, useful for quick overtakes on two-lane highways, and the mono-shock rear keeps things composed over broken city roads. At 144kg it is heavier than the base bike but still manageable in traffic. Seat height of 800mm and a 1357mm wheelbase make it stable at speed without feeling unwieldy at parking-lot pace. The digital dash and LED lighting look current, and ABS being standard from the base variant is a genuine safety plus.

What to know before buying

Real-world mileage of around 41-42kmpl trails the claimed 41.4kmpl only slightly, which is honest by industry standards, but it is still modest next to some 125-150cc naked bikes nearby in price. The rear drum brake persists through most of the lineup; only the top USD Forks variant gets dual-channel ABS. TVS's 5-year, 60,000km warranty and 6,000km service intervals keep ownership costs predictable, and the service network is one of the widest in the country.

Who should buy it

This suits a rider moving up from a 125cc commuter who wants more performance without going fully into liquid-cooled 200cc territory. It makes less sense for someone who has already shortlisted the Pulsar N160 or a similarly priced 180cc, where outright numbers pull ahead.

Features and colours

  • Single-channel ABS
  • Front disc brake
  • Tubeless tyres
  • Alloy wheels
  • Side-stand engine cut-off
  • Hazard lamps
  • Rear monoshock
  • LED headlamp
  • LED daytime running lamp
  • LED tail lamp
  • +3 more

On safety kit the Apache RTR 160 4V has single-channel abs, front disc brake, tubeless tyres, side-stand engine cut-off and hazard lamps. ABS acts on the front wheel only; the rear can still lock under a hard stamp.

Against Apache RTR 160, Pulsar N160 or Pulsar N160 4V, it gets hazard lamps that most rivals skip.

What it lacks: usd front forks and bluetooth connectivity, which rivals at this price offer. None of these are deal-breakers, but they show where the money went.

It is offered in 12 colours: Metallic Blue, Knight Black, Racing Red, Pearl White, Matte Black, Lightning Blue, Glossy Black (BE), Granite Grey, Black Champagne Gold Livery, Racing Red (New), Matte Black and Marine Blue. Colour availability varies by variant and dealer stock.

Full specifications and every feature explained

Warranty, service and ownership

Standard warranty is 5 years or 60,000 km. After the free services, the recommended interval is every 6,000 km.

Service reach is good: TVS has about 4,500 dealer and workshop touchpoints across the country.

On sale since 2018, the Apache RTR 160 4V is established enough that early production issues have been worked through and used examples give a fair read on resale.

Apache RTR 160 4V: questions people ask

What is the price of the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V?
The Apache RTR 160 4V costs between ₹1,16,491 and ₹1,32,389 ex-showroom Delhi across 8 variants, as of September 2026. On-road price adds road tax, registration and insurance and varies by state.
What is the on-road price of the Apache RTR 160 4V in Delhi?
Roughly ₹1.36 Lakh for the base variant in Delhi: ₹1,16,491 ex-showroom plus ₹9,319 road tax, ₹1,100 registration and about ₹9,465 insurance. This is an estimate; dealer quotes include handling and accessories.
What is the mileage of the Apache RTR 160 4V?
Claimed mileage is 41.4 kmpl. Owners typically see 41–42 kmpl in mixed city and highway riding.
How much does the Apache RTR 160 4V cost to run per month?
Fuel works out to about ₹2.28 per km in Delhi, so a 30 km daily commute costs roughly ₹1,782 a month before servicing.
What is the EMI for the Apache RTR 160 4V?
With 10% down, a 36-month loan at 9.5% on the base variant comes to about ₹3,690 a month. A shorter tenure raises the EMI but cuts total interest; see the EMI calculator on the price page.
What is the engine capacity and power of the Apache RTR 160 4V?
It uses a 160cc engine producing 17.31 bhp and 14.73 Nm, with a 5 speed.
Is the Apache RTR 160 4V suitable for short riders?
Mostly. Seat height is 800 mm, which suits riders from about 5'5". Shorter riders should sit on one at the showroom.
Apache RTR 160 4V or Apache RTR 160: which is better?
The Apache RTR 160 is ₹5,710 less expensive to start and more efficient at 61 kmpl against 41.4 kmpl. Pick the Apache RTR 160 4V for sporty first bike, the Apache RTR 160 for first bike. Our side-by-side comparison covers every spec.
Which bikes are cheaper than the Apache RTR 160 4V?
Among the 75 sports bikes we have reviewed, the Pulsar 125 (₹93,507), the Apache RTR 160 (₹1.11 Lakh), the Unicorn (₹1.15 Lakh) start lower.
Is the 4V engine meaningfully better than the base RTR 160?
Yes, the oil-cooled four-valve head adds a genuine bump in power and top speed over the standard RTR 160, and it feels noticeably freer revving. The trade-off is a slightly higher price and marginally lower real-world mileage.
Should I wait for the USD Forks variant?
If braking feel and front-end confidence over broken roads matter to you, the top Dual Channel ABS - USD Forks trim is worth the premium over the base ABS model. Riders sticking to smooth city roads at moderate pace will not miss it as much.

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