Three bikes, three different characters, but all fun to ride
TVS recently launched the 2025 Apache RTR 200 4V in India. The motorcycle gets a few hardware changes along with some new paint schemes. At a price of Rs 1.54 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), it competes with Bajaj’s Pulsar NS200 and Honda’s Hornet 2.0. Here’s a specification comparison between these three street naked motorcycles.
Engine
|
Specifications |
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V |
Bajaj Pulsar NS200 |
Honda Hornet 2.0 |
|
Engine |
197.75cc |
199.5cc |
184.40cc |
|
Power |
20.85PS at 9,000rpm |
24.5PS at 9,750rpm |
16.9PS at 8,500rpm |
|
Torque |
17.25Nm at 7,250rpm |
18.74Nm at 8,000rpm |
15.7Nm at 6,000rpm |
|
Gearbox |
5-Speed |
6-Speed |
5-Speed |
The Pulsar NS200 stands as the most powerful motorcycle with about 3.6PS more than the Apache, and 7.6PS more than the Hornet 2.0. That said, one of the downsides of the Pulsar is that it makes its peak power higher at a much higher RPM. That makes it feel a bit lazy in terms of low-end and mid-range grunt. The Apache feels quite a lot more lively in that aspect. The Hornet makes the least power of three, but objectively, it’s still quite a fun bike to ride and trumps the other two in another aspect discussed below.
The Pulsar NS200 gets a 6-speed gearbox which should give it an advantage while highway cruising and long distance touring, as the engine would feel a lot less stressed at triple digit speeds when compared to the other two bikes with 5-speed gearbox.
Underpinnings
|
Specifications |
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V |
Bajaj Pulsar NS200 |
Honda Hornet 2.0 |
|
Frame |
Split trellis frame |
Perimeter frame |
Diamond type |
|
Front Suspension |
Inverted |
Inverted |
Inverted |
|
Rear Suspension |
Monoshock (preload adjustable) |
Monoshock (preload adjustable) |
Monoshock (preload adjustable) |
|
Front Brake |
270mm |
300mm |
276mm |
|
Rear Brake |
240mm |
230mm |
220mm |
|
Front Tyre |
90/90-17 |
100/80-17 |
110/70-17 |
|
Rear Tyre |
130/70-17 |
130/70-17 |
140/70-17 |
All of these street naked motorcycles use different types of frames, but all are known for having quite good handling. For 2025, TVS updated the Apache RTR 200 4V with a 37mm inverted fork setup, and it now competes fairly with the other two motorcycles which also get an inverted fork.
The NS200 gets the largest front disc at 300mm while the Apache gets the smallest one at 270mm, however, the braking performance on all of these motorcycles is quite good and they all get the safety net of dual-channel ABS. All run on 17-inch alloy wheel setup, but the Hornet 2.0 gets the widest set of tyres at a 110-section front and 140-section rear, which should provide slightly better grip and stability than the other motorcycles.
Dimensions
|
Specifications |
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V |
Bajaj Pulsar NS200 |
Honda Hornet 2.0 |
|
Wheelbase |
1353mm |
1363mm |
1356mm |
|
Ground Clearance |
180mm |
158mm |
168mm |
|
Fuel tank capacity |
12-litre |
12-litre |
12-litre |
|
Seat height |
800mm |
800mm |
795mm |
|
Kerb weight |
151kg |
158kg |
142kg |
This is where the Hornet has the most advantage over the other two. It weighs the least – 9kg lighter than the Apache, and a whopping 16kg lighter than the NS. This light weight should also help the Honda in compensating for its low power. Also, the lighter weight should make the Hornet easy to handle and slightly more nimble as well. It also has a marginally lower seat height which makes it that much more easy for shorter riders. In terms of ground clearance, the Apache takes the cake. It makes it that much more stress-free to ride over bad roads and taller bumps.
Features
|
Specifications |
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V |
Bajaj Pulsar NS200 |
Honda Hornet 2.0 |
|
Console |
LCD |
LCD |
4.2-inch TFT |
|
Lights |
LED headlight and Tail light, halogen indicators |
All LED |
All LED |
|
ABS |
Dual channel |
Dual channel |
Dual channel |
|
Traction Control |
No |
No |
Switchable |
|
Ride Modes |
Yes (3 ride modes) |
No |
No |
|
Smartphone Connectivity |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
In this comparison, only the Honda Hornet 2.0 gets a coloured TFT console However, all of them support smartphone connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation and SMS/call alerts. The RTR 200 4V also gets three ride modes: Sport, Urban and Rain modes, with the Sport mode offering maximum performance. The Rain and Urban mode reduce power and torque output, making the bike a bit more friendlier for new riders.
Another advantage that the Honda gets, is a switchable traction control system which makes it a bit more safer to ride in our Indian road conditions
Price And Verdict
|
Variants |
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V |
Bajaj Pulsar NS200 |
Honda Hornet 2.0 |
|
Standard |
Rs 1,53,990 |
Rs 1,58,336 |
Rs 1,57,480 |
All prices ex-showroom Delhi.
The Apache RTR 200 4V is the most affordable 200cc motorcycle in this comparison. It is Rs 4,346 cheaper than the Pulsar, and Rs 3,490 cheaper than the Hornet. The Apache offers a perfect balance between great styling, performance and right set of features, all available for a very good price. That said, for someone who cares more about outright performance rather than features, the NS200 makes a lot more sense. It offers the most power and is going to be a lot faster than the other two both in terms of acceleration and top-speed.
The Honda Hornet 2.0 is quite a premium motorcycle for the price and offers a lot of exciting features. Generally, Honda bikes are known for being more refined and reliable. Though, that doesn’t mean the other two aren’t. It would all depend on what you prefer more – outright performance, a set of good features, or overall an easy-to-live-with bike.
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