TVS Apache RTR 200 4V vs KTM 200 Duke vs Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS

TVS Motor Company has launched its 197.75cc Apache RTR 200 4V and it is going to take on the KTM 200 Duke and Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS head-on. Here's a quick comparison between these 200cc bikes on paper to see how they stack up.

All three motorcycles in question are similar in more than ways than one. Not only because of the displacement, but also because these bikes belong to the naked-streetfighter club.

The TVS Apache RTR 200 4V has a 197.75cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled unit which delivers 20.22bhp of power at 8,500rpm for the carburetted version, and 0.5 extra bhp for the fuel injected version. Both these figures do not stand anywhere close to the power figures the KTM 200 Duke delivers, and are lesser than the figures of the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS as well.

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The 199.5cc, single-cylinder, water-cooled and fuel injected engine of the KTM 200 Duke delivers 25bhp of maximum power at 10,000rpm, which is 5bhp more than what the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V delivers. But the power being available at lower rpms makes it more usable in case of the Apache RTR 200 4V.

The 199.5cc, single-cylinder, water-cooled engine of the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS, however, delivers 23.2bhp at 9,500rpm and 18.3Nm at 8,000rpm. Where the Apache RTR 200 4V has a maximum torque of 18.1Nm delivered at 7,000rpm, the 200 Duke edges it out by delivering 19Nm at 8,000rpm. The TVS Apache RTR 200 4V uses a five-speed gearbox to propel the motorcycle, as against the KTM's and Bajaj's six-speed 'boxes.

Another aspect where the KTM shines is its weight. Where the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V and the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS weigh 148kg and 151kg (kerb) respectively, the 200 Duke weighs just 136kg (kerb). This simply means that the KTM 200 Duke has much better power-to-weight ratio than its competitors. TVS has claimed that the Apache RTR 200 4V has a top speed of 129km/h for the fuel injected unit, which is over 135km/h for the KTM 200 Duke and is almost similar for the Pulsar 200 NS.

In terms of suspension, the KTM 200 Duke has 'better' WP 43mm upside down forks at the front and a WP monoshock at the rear. The TVS Apache RTR 200 4V, also has high quality race-tuned KYB suspension - telescopic forks at the front, and a single-tube monoshock at the rear. The Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS has telescopic forks at the front and a nitrox monoshock at the rear.

In terms of braking systems, the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V has a 270mm petal disc at the front as opposed to the 300mm disc found at the KTM 200 Duke and 280mm found on the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS. All three bikes have discs at the rear ends - a 240mm petal disc for the TVS, a 230mm disc for the KTM, and a 230mm for Bajaj.

The Apache RTR 200 4V has 90/90 17 and 130/70 17 tubeless tyres, the KTM 200 Duke has wider 110/70 17 and 150/60 17, and the Pulsar 200 NS has 100/80 17 and 130/70 17 at front and rear, respectively. Where the Bajaj Pulsar 200NS uses MRF Nylogrip Zapper rubbers on both ends, the KTM 200 Duke uses MRF Revz C tyres. This makes TVS Apache RTR 200 4V a clear winner with its TVS Remora tyres that have been specifically developed for superior grip and less rolling resistance. TVS also provides the option of choosing the super sticky Pirelli tyres, which will provide much better grip than the MRF and TVS tyres.

The fuel capacity of the Apache RTR 200 4V has been claimed to be 12litres, which is same as that of the Pulsar's and one litre more than the 200 Duke's. ARAI claims that the fuel efficiency of KTM 200 Duke is 41km/l against Bajaj Pulsar's 44km/l. ARAI's figures for Apache RTR 200 4V are still not out, so we need to wait before we can comment on the most fuel efficient bike among these three.