Gixxer, FZ Fi and Apache RTR , the Muscular Lock Stock and Barrel; Review

Remember the time when Yamaha showcased their first ever FZ-16, the light sports model with a heavily puffed design to adhere the youth’s style. The Gixxer is also disseminating the redolence of that era with its style and attitude. The bike has been launched for Rs. 72,200, which sounds pocket depleting. The cost demanded by the bike is quite feasible and will turn out to be a favorable deal once you ride the bike and get through the well managed body style of the same.

The bike suits well with all color schemes and proportions set for the highway and street riding. The headlight is crafted in a slant manner while making it look slimmer from the profile. Front mudguard or hugger has been kept to a finite length. But this not the case with the rear portion where a long tail is kept hanging at an angle so that people won’t be eating the dust coming out of its performance as a courtesy. The Fuel tank is made up of fibre material and has a lot of grooves and indents for rider’s support and filling the style quotient making it impeccably muscular. The single canal steering is wide enough for riders of all heights with wisely arranged switch gears being under reach. 

The stepped seat with slightly rear mounted rider footrest allows the riding posture to get in the shape of a performer. The rear grab rail goes curving across the bike’s body. The tail lights are crafted with LED and shaped well in style. From looks point of view, the rear gets a bright red beast appeal with horns pointing sharp. The 17 inch wheels are associated with broad tyres, while the alloys the counted in a number of 3 Y shaped spokes making it 6 at the outer circumference. The double barrel exhaust unit is inspired from the bigger GSXR series, and this thing has resulted in producing tough and roaring sound over the streets while revving hard over the throttle.

The instrument cluster unit is more of a compact display monitor, showing a smart clock feature along with traditional traits, including tachometer, speed, two trip meters, gear position locator, fuel gauge and turn indicator. The digital cluster glows with headlights ON in orange backlight which is the most common color initiated by the Bajaj Pulsar years back in the 1^st decade of the 21st century. On the suspension front, the broad telescopic forks at the front and monoshock at the rear performs the job efficiently.

The Championship Begins

 This bike is the newest in the category which has arrived after long waiting hours. With a list of goodies packed efficiently in this bike, the rivals’ outfit is not that bad indeed. The straight forward competition to this bike is acclaimed by the Yamaha FZ FI series and TVS Apache RTR. Here, the Indian rival is the most powerful concerning the displacement and power, while it is the least in terms of torque and stability. One will definitely notice the difference in the positions once they get over these performers. Though, the Honda Trigger is also among the competitors, but the commuter styling and least cornering character slides it aside the competition.  The Yamaha FZ FI is the only contender here to boast a fuel injection while other two are getting fed via the carburetor. 

All the three bikes are equipped with digital instrument cluster with all the vital aspects. Only FZ finds a down side with no clock feature. The Apache also comes with an option of dual disc brake, while other two do not. Though, Gixxer and FZ are supported over wider tyres and monoshock rear suspension, while RTR runs on twin shocks and a bit slimmer tyres.

All three bikes have some good and bad aspects, but the real thing comes out with the ride quality. Now, all three bikes are equally great in their particular way. The Apache RTR is the lowest in terms of height and the rider will feel a leaning angle against the seat. While, the Gixxer and FZ be more of a tourer bike with a much upright position bringing the rider in comfort mode. To co-ordinate the rider’s style, the headlight also resembles to a much curvy outfit. Out of the lot, the Gixxer holds the newest style with good contours and “YO” popping architecture. The dual exhaust makes one remember of the Suzuki superbikes while the muscles would make out pain for the rivals. The design traits of this bike matches at a very extent with the new FZ but still they are different. The negligible curves over the massive fuel  tank and black inserts on the headlights are decent and rear wheel mud flap are practical. Both the bikes house small exhaust units while the RTR has an elongated one. However, all of these bikes sounds as great as an under tunnel sports bike would do on high throttle.

The 160cc Apache RTR is the biggest here with Gixxer having 154.9cc and FZ to boast 149.9cc. They generate 15.6BHP, 14.8BHP and 13.1BHP of power with 13.1Nm, 14Nm and 12.8NM of torque respectively. On paper, the FZ seems to be the under performer deal while Gixxer implies great. But the scenario the practical surface would be beneficial over here to make out the clear note. The rev counter on Apache touches the mark of 11,000 while other two keeps it to 10k, beyond which is not recommended.  The 60KMPH mark is hence, discovered earliest with the RTR and the Gixxer grabs the 2^nd position with FZ reaching at the climax.

On the  ride, the Gixxer and FZ were the most comfortable contenders as they grasp the bumps over the bad Indian roads quite nicely. The monoshock suspensions handle the jerks efficiently while the front unit also get the best of its caliber. Apache RTR is a stiffer deal here with twin suspension for the rear. The monoshock suspensions also allow easy maneuverability and cuts around the corners. The FZ is the least on power and torque here, which depresses at the high speed, this lag gets overcome with the Suzuki Gixxer. The most responsive high end torque is possessed by Apache RTR, However, all three have well managed low and mid end torque.

Regular or routine riders will feels humble with the Uzuki and Yamaha because of  their great dynamics and light body weight. The Apache is a bulky build with heaviest steering of the three. With FZ and Gixxer, the riding posture and ability to crack the traffic easily with the massively grippy tyres and comfort position makes a lot of sense for non highway rulers.

The Conclusion here for the alleged competition brings the Apache to the last position, while Gixxer and FZ being swimming at the shallow surface. The power output and high torque delivered by the Gixxer is not their with the FZ and this makes the Suzuki to be above the all. As far as the mileage is concerned,  Yamaha and Suzuki will return between 45 to 50 while Apache boated with a heavy engine will churn something lower than that.