One of the most under estimated engine on Indian roads is the one present in the Apache bikes by TVS. Alternatively one could even call it a gem of an engine. The engineering that has gone into this unit is almost biblical. The same version of the engine, also used in the Fiero bikes, has been used for racing all around India, in various competitions such as dirt, enduro and road / track racing by TVS. The real secret behind this engine is its origin, designed in Japan by Suzuki, tried and tested to its limit for over 15 years in India, and now on the roads giving all the bigger bikes a run for their money. Unlike the R15 engine, the Apache engine is not a smaller version of something bigger, it is what it is, it has been raced and tested just like it is, specifically in India, and has evolved step by step, ignition by ignition. So what is the practical benefit of such an engine? Well, as long as you change the oil, clean the filter and decarbonize it once in a while, the engine could last a lifetime without any parts replacement or renewal, no matter how hard it is ridden, another thing is that you could tune this engine to produce unbeatable specifications while it being reliable and fuel efficient at the same time.
I’ve included a picture of a modified RTR 160, worked on by 10Ten racing based in Bangalore. This machine has been highly tuned to produce in excess of 25bhp and features an actual 0-100 kmph time of under 6 seconds, 5.8 to be exact. Just one example of the many thousands of Apache’s tuned to the next level. The engine is pretty much stock on the outside, but on the inside, it has seen a lot of improvements, a few of which are kept as a closely guarded secret, it has won almost all of the competitions it has been entered into, its tuner, Joel Joseph literally swears by the engine and personally claims that the quality of components used is better than bikes like the R15 and Karizma. In fact he mentioned that for tuning and racing purposes, he would any day choose the Apache engine over the R15 or Karizma, both of which have been tuned by him to almost unbelievable specs ( 165cc R15 with 23bhp and 260cc Karizma with over 30bhp). With an engine made of such strong components, it is literally bulletproof, meaning that, as long as it is run in with proper care, it could live off the race tracks for the rest of its life, being revved hard for breakfast lunch and dinner.
The Apache 150 can be upgraded to a custom 186cc set-up which will make it produce a good 20bhp. The rideability and reliability will be better than a the stock RTR 180. The engine will be completely reworked to offer class leading performance. A few examples are already doing the rounds on the roads and they have clocked more mileage than a stock engine with sure-shot reliability. The amazing aspect is the fuel efficiency which will be similar to the stock engine despite offering such levels of performance. The modifications include, a new fully tweaked head with altered port geometry, increased compression and improving combustion efficiency by optimizing the engine, custom cylinder block bore with racing high compression piston, larger CV carburettor with jetting, tuned free flow exhaust for better performance and lesser weight, ignition change, modified intake tract and a new mild profile camshaft For best results a K&N filter is also added to gain better intake velocity. This is the ultimate set-up an Apache/Fiero will ever need for maximum performance and reliability. The engine can be pushed even further but this will decrease mileage. Extreme modifications are done only to bikes tuned for racing and are not suitable for daily use.
Joel also offers tuning of stock Apache bikes, here is a listing of the changes that could be made to the Apache 150 with the already achieved results. For more information on such mods, contact Joel at joel.joseph.jazz@gmail.com.
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prabhat June 22, 2010 at 8:44 am
was this a advertisement for JOEL ?? if the engine is such a reliable and perfect and can be pushed so high without hampering the fuel efficiency or rather making it more , then why the engineers who actually made this engine are sleeping ? why they are under Bajaj for performance (220), reliability from Hero-Honda, and handling from Yamaha (R15, F16).. 0 – 100 under 6 sec that’s really quick, hope its true ,hope they increase the top speed too. and also hope the secret from JOEL be unveiled by the TVS and then to the customers. TVS should stop making bikes like 150, 160, 180 just increasing the displacement and 2bhp per bike. all Apache looks the same . they should stop copying from Bajaj, they should follow Yamaha. If TVS is such a good bike then they should not limit the bike proper quality only on racing track, it should be transferred to the production bikes too. They should not just make bike they should make benchmarks, and make others follow..
apache cheen September 28, 2011 at 5:17 pm
hey there i’m an automobile engineering student, the above thing is possible in an rtr but that much power is not permitted for Indian commuter bike segment as per the emission and tax rules. the engineers from tvs are not sleeping they are actually restricted to do less. you can ask that how i know this surely. the reason is i got an rtr 180 which is modified by me itself. it can do 0-100 in 12.3 secs and reach up to a top speed of 143km/hr effortlessly i just installed a K&N air filter and an modified exhaust(free flow). i squire its possible and please don’t comment if u dont know any thing prabhat.
Arun June 22, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Prabhat, This isnt an advertisement for Joel, this is to show an example of the true nature of the Apache engine, the reason why TVS is a bit behind on the engine is that they tune it to meet certain criteria put forward by the regulators, it seems that a certain class of engine can only have a specified maximum output which is why the Yamaha R15 produces just 17Ps when in Europe the same bike produces well around 21Ps.. Also with more power, bigger brakes, bigger suspension and stronger frame is required which would make the bikes much more expensive than the rivals…
racerboy June 26, 2010 at 1:06 am
dude prabhat – You dont need to get personal with any manufacturer. This was not something to show who is better than the other. This is very clearly an article which showcases a tuned race bike from Joel, and not some TVS built stuff. How is this an advertisement? Its a feature man and looks like you are a great bajaj fan. The pulsar is a lousy ass bike. This bike has no development from TVS, its an individual attempt. Why the hell are you trying to compare TVS to a handbuilt race bike by a privateer? get your facts right man.
rajat singh chauhan January 5, 2012 at 2:46 pm
prabhat…i think sorry i dont think m sure dat u dnt knw anything about mods…company launches bike keeping in mind d demand of customers as out of 10 thr wil be 2 who would ask for performance…joel mods r top in india at best price for a middle class enthusiast to avail dose racing parts in his/her bike..and for ur info let me tel u no company is copying anything frm any one..and lety me remind u its RTR who gave d rear disk first which was later given by bajaj in p220 fi,,den d clip on handles, grab rails.digi spdo..led tail lamps wch othrs r still struggling for. stroke may b less but d bore is enough to make it rock…and rule over d pulsar…
Arun Jose April 11, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Does joel tunes royal enfield bullets??
Ravi November 4, 2012 at 11:21 am
What! Karizma over 30 bhp, wow thats on par with ninja 250 and better than CBR 250.
Faisal Khan November 4, 2012 at 4:01 pm
Ravi, reliability of the 30 HP Karizma is not known.
Akash February 3, 2013 at 8:17 pm
30 bhp karizma…….. Engine will MELT ra babu… :P
Akash February 3, 2013 at 8:20 pm
noooo…….. this is a track bike built by TVS Racing….
Faisal please ask tvs people for bigger bikes…
maddy April 13, 2013 at 2:54 pm
wow…great…
anyone there to help me in modifying me apache rtr160??
i have installed k&n,changed the carb to 180 and altered it and little mods in head too..
changed stock exhaust to free flow..it is 3 yrs old bike,gives me a top of around 130-135kmph..
can it be modified more to give me even more top speed??
pls help me…waiting for the reply….
thanks in advance….
Faisal Khan April 14, 2013 at 1:13 am
Maddy, yes it can but you will be trading in reliability.
maddy April 15, 2013 at 1:22 am
can u suggest some more mods for me pls??i live in chennai..
maddy April 13, 2013 at 2:59 pm
and i also changed my front and rear tires to demon pirelli sport,rear tire size 110.
pls let me know wht should be done to increase my bike top speed…and what to know about big bore..
whether will it increase my bike top end??if so,pls let me know the cost of it pls…
my email id is madhav91s@gmail.com
Vishnu May 12, 2013 at 12:12 pm
got an apache,stock and i thniks it can do 0-100 in less than 11 sec.actually its running lean,
gonna build a custom exhaust.later porting head and cold air intake with electric turbo. Hows that?
Faisal Khan May 14, 2013 at 1:32 am
Vishnu, possible but compromise on mileage almost certain.