AUTO WORLD BIKERS

Ever heard this name before ? Bebek ? Well, below is the bebek from TVS. In India it do not appeal Indias, it fails to have any impression but in South-East Asia it makes majority of two wheelers. To capture that majority in those markets TVS launched Bebek - TVS NEO this year in Indonesia aiming to produce 100,000 units in market there in first year.

It is has dual clutch.. Now what is that. Well it has option to switch between automatic and manual transmission. People who cannot properly recall things then remember Hero Honda Street or Kinetic K4, they were actually bebek but none of both succeded to create any mark in India. I think their production has been halted.

Engine: 109.7cc single cylinder four-stroke (horizontally mounted)

Technical Specification for TVS Neo
Max power: 8.5 bhp@8000
Max torque: 8.5 nm@4500
Ignition: Digital CDI
Fuel supply system: Carburettor
Transmission: Double automatic clutch, wet type
Gearbox: 4 speed constant mesh
Brakes: 220mm two-callier disc/110mm hydraulic drum (f), 110mm drum
Tyres: 2.50x17 (much, much stickier than our Indian goop, made by IRC, a local firm)
Length: 1940mm
Wheelbase: 1260mm
Ground clearance: 150mm
Weight: ~100 kg (± 1 kg between variants)

The new 150 from TVS is… the Apache RTR160! One of the most impressive motorcycles I have ever stood next to is the Aprilia RS125, a learner-legal bottom of the barrel motorcycle. Admittedly the barrel is Italian, but still. What impressed me, performance aside, was the styling. Every little nook and cranny has been designed, and not just in terms of shapes. The RS125 is a lovely thing to run your finger along.There are textures, colours and decals… the RS didn’t get dismissed as a tiny bike for newbies. Why am I going on and on about this? Because when they first unwrapped the new TVS Apache RTR 160, I was busy taking in all the details. The designers have crafted all of the ignored, functional bits into consciously designed articles. It’s no Aprilia RS125, granted, but I can’t think of any Indian bike that comes closer. The unchanged tank and tail piece will come in a superb yellow, red, matte grey, silver and black. Notice the new, nifty engine cowl. A neat racing stripe runs all the way from the top of the tail lamp to the tip of the front fender and also appears on the tacho. Everything - levers, pedals, grips, bar-end dampers, lights, dash - has received conscious design upgrades. The effect is one of effortless style. The Apache still looks compact and focussed, and now it has pizzaz. There will even be wheel pinstriping.

But, as I said, these are only part of the story. The other parts are RTR and 160. RTR stands for Racing Throttle Response. The engine has grown to 159.7cc and it’s more than an overbore. The motor’s stroke was cut down to 52.9 mm and then the bore grew to 62 mm. TVS says the extra displacement allowed them to raise the torque while boosting power on top as well. By how much? The RTR is rated at 15.2 bhp (at 8500 rpm) and 1.31 kgm (at 6000 rpm). That’s a two kg heavier bike (still seven kg less than either the Bajaj Pulsar 150 or the Hero Honda CBZ X-Treme) making a little more power and same torque than the first-gen Pulsar 180.

On the track, the RTR proves to be a crisp flyer. Throttle response is immediate and the Apache loves revs. With useable power almost off idle, the 160 will blow through 60 kph in 4.8 seconds, 100 kph in 17.69 seconds (all-figures claimed) and reach a top speed of 118 kph. The gearbox is the same as the old Apache, which is no bad thing. However, the full chain cover now looks a bit odd. One of the journalists at the launch suggested an open chain cover with an integrated hugger. That’s a nice thought…

On the chassis side, the big change is a whopping 40 mm longer swingarm that brings the wheelbase up to 1300 mm. This is a huge jump for the Apache, but still 25 mm less than the Hero Honda CBZ X-Treme. TVS wanted to improve stability without losing the Apache’s agility. Suspension was retuned and that was basically it. The RTR feels planted and very accurate. Even when bumps have to be handled at full lean, the bike doesn’t run astray. Later, I tried the RTR on the Belgian pave and TVS have ironed out the harsh/bumpy patch in the ride quality. The new RTR still feels firm, but is compliant and will deal with most of the bad stuff.
Now note what’s bolted on the front axle. Yes, that’s India’s first petal disc (the extra surface area of the leading edge improves cooling). It’s a full 270 mm - the same size as a Karizma. The disc is powerful and it produces seriously quick stopping action. What you’ve got is a styling, powerful machine with a great chassis as well. In addition, TVS has given the bike everything it needs to battle the competing 150s. Like the split grab rail, a stylish dash with a LCD speedo, two trips, clock, odo and fuel gauge and an analog tachometer.

The RTR also has two-way adjustable clip-on handlebars, LED tail lamp (the sole styling detail that I think could have been better), rearset aluminium pegs and aluminium levers. TVS says the Apache will go on sale in May and will be available all across the country at the same time. The current Apache will continue but don’t be tempted to buy the cheaper one. The 150 Apache is among the cheapest of the 150s, so we expect the 160 to slot in at roughly the same price as the CBZ X-Treme - about Rs 59,000 ex-showroom Mumbai.

For those of you who are wondering about the ‘unfairness’ of having a 160 running amuck in the 150s, why not? More power for the same money is always welcome. And as the Americans repeat ad nauseum, there’s no replacement for displacement. The upshot? Coming in the middle of a whirl of re-stickered bikes, the comprehensively upgraded Apache certainly comes as a breath of fresh air.

What remains to be seen is whether, in one month’s time, it will topple the CBZX, our Bike Of The Year, from its current place at the top of our 150 charts.

CRAZYAUTOS.BLOGSPOT.COM

Make Model	Hyosung GT 650X
Year	2008
Engine	Liquid cooled, four stroke, 90° V twin, DOHC, 4 valve
Capacity	647
Bore x Stroke	81.5 x 62 mm
Compression Ratio
Induction	Electronic fuel injection
Ignition / Starting	- / electric
Max Power
Max Torque
Transmission / Drive	6 Speed / chain
Frame	Tubular steel/aluminium trellis
Front Suspension
Rear Suspension
Front Brakes	2x 300mm discs 4 piston caliper
Rear Brakes
Front Tyre
Rear Tyre	180/55 ZR17
Dry-Weight
Fuel Capacity

Make Model	Suzuki Boulevard C109R
Year	2008
Engine	Liquid cooled four stroke, 54° V-Twin
Capacity	1786
Bore x Stroke	112 X 90,5mm
Compression Ratio	10.5;1
Induction	EFI, 2X 56mm throttle bodies
Ignition / Starting	Digital transistorized / electric
Max Power
Max Torque
Transmission / Drive	5 Speed / shaft
Front Suspension	Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped
Rear Suspension	Link type, coil spring, oil damped, adjustable spring preload
Front Brakes	2x 310mm discs 2 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 274mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre	150/80R16
Rear Tyre	240/55R16
Seat Height	710 mm
Dry-Weight
Fuel Capacity	19 Litres 5.0 gal

Suzuki presents the Boulevard C109R as the motorcycle that takes cruising to a new level which brings power in the palm of our hands and comfort for our backs and feet. You can easily understand where comfort comes from by looking at the pictures, but check out the technical features, especially the part where the GSX-R fuel injection system is being mentioned, and form your own opinion on this classic cruiser.

Suzuki launched the Boulevard C109R as the classic tourer which will complete the Boulevard line of cruisers.

Being brand new and introduced as a 2008 model, it is obvious that history isn’t its strong point but you should never doubt the quality of a Suzuki motorcycle. It doesn’t have any history but who says it doesn’t benefit of Suzuki’s championship winning GSX-R fuel injection systems which make it unique in the disputed market of cruisers, especially in the U.S.

Conclusions can be easily drawn but the most reflecting is that history is being written at Suzuki’s with their new model always ready to head on the freeway.

Suzuki did present the C109R as THE machine to ride in your future years of cruising and their affirmations were indeed based on the reliable package that they had to offer.

But did they take into consideration the models offered by the competition? By mentioning the competition of this model, I am referring to the Honda VTX1800R, a motorcycle with some time on the market. Retro is indeed the look for this timeless V-twin featuring classic, deeply valanced fenders, cast aluminum wheels and staggered dual exhaust. I believe that the Honda was strongly taken into consideration as Suzuki’s classic cruiser ended up featuring the same characteristics but fairly improved.

Kawasaki also has a classic cruiser to send in the battle and it is known as the Vulcan 2000 Classic, a machine that combines traditional cruiser style with modern muscle and awesome physical presence.

With strong competition coming from Honda and Kawasaki, the Suzuki reserves some surprises out on the open road and I am eager to see them.

What I most like about this cruiser it the fact that in ended up being as massive as it could get. I mean, would you like to see it looking and saying something else? I certainly don’t! I love to see a strong and dour fork sustaining a gigantic front wheel featuring dual disc brakes. I enjoy a wide seat sustained by a rigid but yet strongly-developed chassis on which is positioned the beautifully curved fuel tank.

The C109R establishes its own identity with its styling. It has pullback handlebars, floorboards that let you kick your feet out, a spacious, relaxed riding position and its own slash-cut mufflers.

But you couldn’t do that on a smaller, sleeker cruiser, wouldn’t you? That is why this motorcycle followed the recipe used when creating its engine: “bigger is better”. The result is the incredibly imposing machine implementing smooth, classic lines all the way from the fuel tank, through the seat and rear fender.

The aspect that attracted me the most on the new Boulevard and the key to C109R’s performance is its 109 cubic inch engine with Suzuki fuel injection which is the same basic powerplant used by the awesome M109R, which traces its technological heritage to Suzuki’s championship winning GSX-R supersport bikes. One ride on the C109R and you’ll notice that it boasts its own power characteristics, with more torque down low for extraordinary acceleration. I have to say that it is more than you would expect from an imposing cruiser even for its 1783cc engine.

But being imposing involves weight and you might expect to encounter this problem on the 2008 C109R. I am not saying that the machine is light as a FZ6 and I have to admit that despite featuring Suzuki Composite Electrochemical Material, it remains rather heavy and hard to maneuver at low speed. But hey, it wouldn’t be a cruiser if it was ready to receive in its saddle an 18 years old rebel.

The good news is that pounds seem to fly off as the throttle is being widely opened and the sound of the exhaust becomes a screaming monster. This is where the fun begins. Out on the freeway is where the Boulevard C109R proves its best and its owner or rider benefits of the best treatment ever. I believe that if this cruiser would be a medicine in the pharmacy, it would have been found on the distress shelf. It is that awesome!

An important factor that gives this bike a special something is the way it handles on sinuous lonely roads. The maneuverability is quite amazing and the rush given is one of a kind. I really had to experience on my own skin before I made a statement and I admit, it is wonderful to have this amount of torque available together with the comfortable riding position.

Another element very important when cruising is the suspension system which has a “must” positioned before the “providing comfort” words. At least this is what I noticed during my 200 miles ride with a cruiser that delivered me as fresh as a new born, smile on the face included. The seat had probably very much to do with the actual result but the idea is that you will never get tired or bored riding the C109R.