Growing interest of buyers in 150-160cc segment has forced brands to bring major upgrades from their bigger bikes into this lightweight segment. It was Yamaha FZ that first brought the typical street bike look into India, using their liter class designs as inspiration and bringing an India friendly product to the market. Suzuki followed the same path and got Gixxer 155 for India while Honda CB Hornet 160R was their answer to this battle. When things were getting tight between Japanese rivals, Indian brands also entered the scene with Bajaj offering NS160 and TVS recently launching the Apache RTR 160 4V for tough competition.
TVS Apache RTR 160 4V vs. Rival Bikes
# Design & Style
The design language of all these bikes follows one similar rule. None of them have huge front sections while fuel tank shows muscle in every scenario. While Apache RTR 160 4V and Pulsar NS200 offers sharp fuel extensions, Gixxer and all others are a bit relaxed in terms of sharpness.
All of them, except for base variant of Apache, are offered with fat tires that not just look awesome but also offer impressive grip levels. Gixxer carries a chiseled fuel tank while Draken inspired Apache gets a massive unit with dual tone finish. In short, those going for top spec models will not need to worry about any style statement error.
# Equipment & Features
TVS Apache RTR 160 4V vs Rivals
The equipment list is pretty vivid among all these bikes. Most of them are available with a single disc on base variant while the top variant offers a rear disc brake plus some more features after spending some extra money. Hornet gets LED lights, single-channel ABS and CBS equipped dual disc brakes on top variant.
This makes it the most feature loaded model here. Yamaha FZ-S offers fuel injection for smooth riding and dual disc brakes for effective braking. Apache RTR 160 4V also offers fuel injection for more fun while Gixxer offers dual disc and 1-channel ABS braking setup. Pulsar NS160 now comes with dual disc brakes as standard.
# Engine & Performance
TVS Apache RTR 160 4V vs Rivals
The most powerful of all is Apache RTR 160 4V, offering 16.8 HP and 14.8 Nm of torque. It weighs too much at 147 kg. Least powerful option here is FZ-S with 13.2 HP but on the other hand, it weighs just 132 kg. Others are placed within this upper and lower limit. All these bikes are equipped with a 5-speed gearbox.
Engine Displacement
- Apache RTR 160: 159.7 cc
- CB Hornet 160R: 162.71 cc
- FZS Version 2 Fi: 149 cc
- Gixxer 155: 154.9 cc
- Pulsar NS160: 160.3 cc
Engine Cooling
- Apache RTR 160: Oil-Cooled
- CB Hornet 160R: Air-Cooled
- FZS Version 2 Fi: Air-Cooled
- Gixxer 155: Air-Cooled
- Pulsar NS160: Oil-Cooled
Fuel Supply
- Apache RTR 160: Carb/Fuel Injection
- CB Hornet 160R: Carburetted
- FZS Version 2 Fi: Fuel Injection
- Gixxer 155: Carburetted
- Pulsar NS160: Carburetted
Maximum Power
- Apache RTR 160: 16.5 HP/16.8 HP @ 8000 rpm
- CB Hornet 160R: 15.04 HP @ 8500 rpm
- FZS Version 2 Fi: 13.2 HP @ 8000 rpm
- Gixxer 155: 14.6 HP @ 8000 rpm
- Pulsar NS160: 15.3 HP @ 8500 rpm
Maximum Torque
- Apache RTR 160: 14.8 NM @ 6500 rpm
- CB Hornet 160R: 14.76 NM @ 6500 rpm
- FZS Version 2 Fi: 12.8 Nm @ 6000 rpm
- Gixxer 155: 14 NM @ 6000 rpm
- Pulsar NS160: 14.6 NM @ 6500 rpm
Top Speed
- Apache RTR 160: 113 KMPH (Company Claimed)
- CB Hornet 160R: 110 KMPH (Company Claimed)
- FZS Version 2 Fi: 109 KMPH (Company Claimed)
- Gixxer 155: 115 KMPH (Approximate)
- Pulsar NS160: 120 KMPH (Approximate)
All 150cc bikes are good for impressive 0-60 kmph sprints as 0-100 kmph takes around 16 seconds on most of these bikes. All of them will start losing power once three digit number is achieved on the speedometer. When going for 150cc bike, the most important part remains ride comfort. It will vary with different size of riders and one should try to sit on all seats before choosing one for daily use.
# Instrument Consoles
TVS Apache RTR 160 4V vs Rivals
# Ex-showroom Price (Delhi)
Apache RTR 160 4V
- Base Variant (Carb + Single Disc Brake): INR 82,810
- Mid Variant (Carb + Dual Disc Brakes): INR 85,810
- Top Variant (Fuel Injection + Dual Disc Brakes): INR 91,810
CB Hornet 160R
- STD: INR 85,943
- CBS: INR 90,433
- STD ABS (1-Channel): INR 91,443
- DLX ABS (1-Channel): INR 93,943
FZS Fi Version 2.0
- FZS Fi: INR 83,542
- FZS Fi (Dark Night): INR 84,512
- FZS Fi (Rear Disc): INR 86,542
- FZS Fi (Rear Disc Matt Green): INR 87,542
- FZS Fi (Rear Disc Dark Night): INR 87,542
Gixxer 155
- Double Disc Variant: INR 81,550
- 1-Channel ABS Variant: INR 87,871
Pulsar NS160
- Dual Disc Variant: INR 85,690
*Above mentioned prices are ex-showroom Delhi.
| Displacement | 159.7 cc |
| No. of Cylinders | 1 |
| No. of Gears | 5 |
| Maximum Power | 16.5 HP/16.8 HP @ 8000 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | 14.8 NM @ 6500 rpm |
| Seat Height | 800 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 180 mm |
| Kerb/Wet Weight | 143 kg / 145 kg / 147 kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 12 litres |
| Top Speed | 113 kmph |
| Front Brake | 270mm Petal Disc |
| Rear Brake | 130mm Drum (200mm Rear Disc Option Also Available) |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | No ABS |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Forks |
| Rear Suspension | MonoShock |
| Front Tyre | 90/90-17 49P |
| Rear Tyre | 110/80-17 57P (130 option also available) |
Honda CB Hornet 160R Tech Specs
| Displacement | 162.71 cc |
| No. of Cylinders | 1 |
| No. of Gears | 5 |
| Maximum Power | 15.04 HP @ 8500 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | 14.76 NM @ 6500 rpm |
| Seat Height | 790 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 164 mm |
| Kerb/Wet Weight | 140 kg / 142 kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 12 litres |
| Top Speed | 110 kmph |
| Front Brake | 276mm Single Disc |
| Rear Brake | 220mm Single Disc |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | 1-channel ABS (Optional) |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock |
| Front Tyre | 100/80-17 (MRF Zapper) |
| Rear Tyre | 140/70-17 (MRF Zapper) |
Yamaha FZS Fi Version 2.0 Tech Specs
| Displacement | 149 cc |
| No. of Cylinders | 1 |
| No. of Gears | 5 |
| Maximum Power | 13.2 HP @ 8000 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | 12.8 Nm @ 6000 rpm |
| Seat Height | 790 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160 mm |
| Kerb/Wet Weight | 132 kg / 133 kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 12 litres |
| Top Speed | 109 kmph |
| Front Brake | 282mm Disc Brake |
| Rear Brake | 220mm Disc Brake |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | No ABS |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Forks |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock |
| Front Tyre | 100/80-17M/C (52P) |
| Rear Tyre | 140/60-R17M/C (63P) |
| Displacement | 154.9 cc |
| No. of Cylinders | 1 |
| No. of Gears | 5 |
| Maximum Power | 14.6 BHP @ 8000 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | 14 NM @ 6000 rpm |
| Seat Height | 780 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160 mm |
| Kerb/Wet Weight | 135 kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 12 litres |
| Top Speed | 115 kmph |
| Front Brake | 266mm Disc Brake |
| Rear Brake | 240mm Disc Brake |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | 1-channel ABS (Optional) |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Forks |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock |
| Front Tyre | 100/80-17 |
| Rear Tyre | 140/60-17 |
Bajaj Pulsar NS160 Tech Specs
| Displacement | 160.3 cc |
| No. of Cylinders | 1 |
| No. of Gears | 5 |
| Maximum Power | 15.3 HP @ 8500 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | 14.6 NM @ 6500 rpm |
| Seat Height | 805 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 176 mm |
| Kerb/Wet Weight | 142 kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 12 litres |
| Top Speed | 120 kmph |
| Front Brake | 240mm Disc |
| Rear Brake | 230mm Disc |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | No ABS |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic |
| Rear Suspension | MonoShock |
| Front Tyre | 90/90 -17 (49P) |
| Rear Tyre | 120/80 -17 (61P) |