Yamaha MT-15 V2 vs TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Comparison Road Test: A Friend For Life

As a result, along with the fact that the Yammie is displacing around 42 cee cees less, it comes as no surprise that it is the more frugal of the two bikes in the city. The two bikes deliver nearly the same highway fuel efficiency as both are equally proficient at cruising at 85-90kmph. It is when you start to push the bikes further that the Yamaha might just return a better fuel efficiency score.

The Compromises

Both motorcycles need the rider to be quite fit. Why? Let’s start with the RTR 200, which has quite an aggressive riding posture for the lower half of your body. For riders with large legs, this cramped posture will make it difficult to spend long hours in the saddle.

The MT’s nice and upright riding posture doesn’t put such strain on any limb. It is just that stockier riders will find themselves locked into the scoop of the seat that doesn’t have adequate cushioning.

And then there’s the way the MT handles bumps and bad roads. Matured riders will feel the thuds and jolts getting to them. While you can ride the teenage hormones and not fuss much about ride quality, you will start to appreciate the plusher setup of the RTR, especially over broken stretches of tarmac. And you will reap the benefits of it in the twisties.

Decades of Experience vs Teen Spirit

The RTR 200 ranks high in our list of beginner sport riding motorcycles. Decades of racing lineage put to the road and it shows. It feels super confident in the bends and is quite forgiving too, a great trait for someone who is just getting the hang of riding.

Even though the MT feels very light and agile, it doesn’t quite match up to the RTR’s handling prowess. The street friendly upright ergonomics restricts body movement and feels a bit too sharp at times. Plus, the ride gets easily unsettled over mid-corner bumps and it could lead to a nervy moment or two.

Braking	TVS Apache RTR 200 4V	Yamaha MT-15 V2
80-0kmph	29.46m	35.05m
60-0kmph	16m	19.79m

Over the years, TVS has taken giant strides in improving the braking performance of the RTR 200 4V. It stops far better than before, certainly takes less road to come to a halt than the MT and with dual-channel ABS feels more sure-footed.

Picking A Friend

You tend to build strong friendships in your college days. And your parents know who amongst your friend circle are your good friends and who are your ‘great’ friends. Similar is the case with picking one of these two motorcycles. Choosing the Yamaha MT-15 V2 is the start of a great friendship, one that is based on lots of fun and excitement. However, this friendship usually tends to be short-lived and you develop newer friendships.

Picking the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V then is like gaining a best friend for life, one who has been right there with you from the start, knows about your wrongdoings, helps you get better, and is also great with your parents. And these friendships last long.