TVS Apache RTR 160 vs Honda Unicorn: Sport or Comfort at 160 cc?

The Honda Unicorn has quietly built one of the best reputations in Indian motorcycling for refinement and reliability. The TVS Apache RTR 160 offers the same displacement with a completely different personality. Here is the honest comparison.

The numbers at a glance

• TVS Apache RTR 160: 159.7 cc air cooled, 15.3 PS, around 45 kmpl, 139 kg
• Honda Unicorn: around 163 cc and roughly 12.9 PS
• The Apache makes more power and weighs less
• The Unicorn is famous for smoothness and long-term reliability

Engine character

The Apache RTR 160 makes 15.3 PS and delivers it with a purposeful edge. The Unicorn makes roughly 12.9 PS and delivers it so smoothly that you barely notice the engine at all. Which you prefer depends entirely on whether you want a motorcycle to be felt or to be forgotten.

Comfort and ergonomics

The Unicorn wins here. Its upright riding position, long seat and soft suspension make it one of the easiest 160 cc bikes to spend two hours on. The Apache sits you more forward and is firmer, which pays back on a twisting road and costs you a little on a long straight one.

Weight and agility

At 139 kg the Apache is light for the class and changes direction eagerly. That makes it the more entertaining bike in traffic and on the district roads around Araria. The Unicorn is stable and predictable rather than sharp.

Mileage and ownership cost

The Apache is rated at around 45 kmpl and the Unicorn is quoted in similar territory, with its gentler tune helping it in real use. Both are affordable to service. Consumables in this class cost more than in a 110 cc commuter, so budget accordingly.

Buying and servicing in Araria

TVS Madni Motors on Dak Bunglow Road is the authorized TVS dealership for Araria. Apache owners get genuine parts, trained technicians and warranty work locally, plus finance and exchange handled in one visit.

Which one should you buy?

• Choose the Apache RTR 160 for more power at 15.3 PS, lighter 139 kg handling and a sportier character.
• Choose the Honda Unicorn for maximum refinement and long-distance comfort.
• If you want more performance again, the Apache RTR 160 4V makes 17.31 PS.

The Unicorn is a motorcycle for people who want to arrive rested. The Apache is for people who want to enjoy getting there. Both will run for years with proper servicing, so this is a choice about character rather than quality, and neither answer is wrong.

Figures quoted are indicative and change with variant and model year. Call our showroom for current pricing.