TVS Apache 160 Vs Bajaj Pulsar 160 vs Suzuki Gixxer vs Honda Hornet

Disclaimer – As the manufacturer (TVS Motor Company) has blacklisted Rushlane from it’s events/rides as a consequence of decisions based on restrictive practices, Apache 160 specs and figures below are attributed to freely available media material.

TVS Apache 160 has been launched in India where it is offered in three variants carb with front disc – INR 81,490, carb with front and rear disc – INR 84,490 and fuel-injected with front and rear disc – INR 89,990. Though the model is an affordable offering, it enters a powerful segment wherein it will have to compete head on with the Bajaj Pulsar NS 160, Suzuki Gixxer and Honda CB Hornet 160R. We enumerate below how these four bikes will stack up against each other in terms of price, features, performance and engine specifications.

Price – TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is priced from INR 81,490 – INR 89,990 as against the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 with a price tag of INR 81,626, the Suzuki Gixxer priced between INR 77,015-80,929 and the Honda CB Hornet 160R priced from INR 82,359 – INR 86,823.

Design and Features – All four models boast of excellent styling, sharp character lines, sporty stance and innovative color combinations.
TVS Apache RTR 160 4V borrows inspiration from the RTR200 and gets a similar tank design, headlamps and tail lamps besides instrumentation and turn indicators. It also boasts of a fully digital instrument console and alloy wheels and is offered in three color options of – Racing Red, Metallic Blue and Knight Black.

Bajaj Pulsar NS160 also shares design elements with the NS200 though with smaller tyres and a smaller 240mm front disc. It is presented in color options of black, white and red.

The Suzuki Gixxer gets world class features with Automatic Headlamp On, clear LED tail lamp and sporty graphics. It gets an advanced Rear Disc Brake and a distinctive Gixxer logo across its fuel tank. It is offered in color options of Metallic Triton Blue, Glass Sparkle Black, and Candy Sonoma Red/Metallic Sonic Silver.

Honda CB Hornet boasts of a trapezoidal headlamp, large fuel tank, split grab rails, stubby exhaust and X shaped LED tail lamps. Color options include Pearl Night Star Black, Pearl Siren Blue, Neo Orange Metallic, Sports Red, and Pearl Amazing White.

Equipment – TVS Apache RTR160 4V is derived from a race bike and hence gets sporty equipment. It receives a double cradle split synchro stiff frame, telescopic front forks and monoshock at the rear. It sits on Showa alloy wheels with 270mm petal disc brake in the front and 130mm drum or 200 mm petal discs at the rear. It receives two tyre options of road and off road and the front wheel is fitted with a 110mm tubeless tyre and the rear wheel gets a 130mm tubeless tyre as standard.

Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 gets a perimeter frame with telescopic front fork and monoschock with nitrox at the rear. It sits on alloy wheels fitted with 80mm tubeless tyre in the front and 110mm tubeless at the rear. Braking is via 240mm disc in front and 130 mm drum at the rear.

Suzuki Gixxer gets a diamond frame and single downtube chassis. It is noted with telescopic front forks and monoshock suspension at the rear and sits on alloy wheels. Braking duties are via 266mm front disc brake and drum brake at the rear along with the options of 266 mm front and 240mm disc brakes. It sits on 110mm tubeless tyre in the front and 140mm tubeless tyre at the rear and gets a double barrel exhaust system.

Engine specifications – TVS Apache RTR160 is powered by a 159.7cc, single cylinder, 4 valve oil cooled engine offering 16.5 bhp power at 8,000 rpm and 14.8 Nm torque at 6,500 rpm mated to a 5 speed gearbox.

The Pulsar NS160 is powered by a 160.3cc single cylinder, oil cooled engine offering 15.2 bhp power at 8,500 rpm and 14.6 Nm torque at 6,500 rpm while the Suzuki Gixxer gets a 155cc, single cylinder, air cooled engine capable of 14.6 bhp power at 8,000 rpm and 14 Nm torque at 6,000 rpm. Honda CB Hornet 160R is powered by a 162.7cc, single cylinder engine capable of 15.66 bhp power at 8,500 rpm and 17.76 Nm torque at 6,500 rpm. The engines of each of these strong contenders are mated to 5 speed gearbox.