TVS Apache RTR 160 Service Schedule and Maintenance Guide

The TVS Apache RTR 160 has a straightforward maintenance routine, but TVS changed the schedule for bikes sold from April 2025: fewer, longer-spaced services. This guide sets out what TVS Motor’s own owner’s manuals for the 2-valve Apache RTR 160 say: when each service is due, what gets done, which oil to use, and what the warranty requires.

The short answer

• Current Apache RTR 160 (manual for bikes from April 2025): three free services up to 12,000 km, then a paid service every 6,000 km or 6 months, whichever comes first. The engine oil and paper oil filter are replaced at every service.
• Earlier Apache RTR 160 (manual for bikes before April 2025): five free services up to 12,000 km, then a paid service every 3,000 km or 3 months. The oil is replaced every 6,000 km and topped up in between.
• Oil grade: TVS TRU4 fully synthetic, SAE 10W-30, API SL, JASO MA2. 1,000 ml at a regular service.
• Drive chain: cleaned, lubricated and adjusted at the free services, and TVS asks owners to clean and lube it themselves as often as every 500 km.

Which schedule applies depends on your bike. The Service Handbook and owner’s manual that came with it are the ones to follow.

The service schedule: current Apache RTR 160

From the Apache RTR 160 (with Ride Mode) owner’s manual for bikes sold from April 2025, revision 2 of 6 January 2026 (pages 56–58 and 88–89). Each service is due at the kilometre reading or the time limit from the date of sale, whichever comes first:

• 1st free service: 500–750 km, or 1 month.
• 2nd free service: 5,000–6,000 km, or 6 months.
• 3rd free service: 11,500–12,000 km, or 12 months.
• Paid services after that: every 6,000 km or 6 months. The manual lists eight paid services within the warranty period, the last at 59,500–60,000 km or 60 months (page 89).

“Free” covers labour only. TVS states that engine oil, filters, brake fluid, greases, chain cleaner and other consumables are charged at free services as well as paid ones (page 89).

The service schedule: earlier Apache RTR 160

The owner’s manual for Apache RTR 160 bikes sold before April 2025 (pages 51 and 84) lists:

• Free services: 500–750 km or 1 month; 2,500–3,000 km or 3 months; 5,000–6,000 km or 6 months; 8,500–9,000 km or 9 months; and 11,500–12,000 km or 12 months.
• Paid services after that: every 3,000 km or 3 months.

What gets done at the services

These items are from the current maintenance chart (pages 56–58):

• Engine oil: replaced at every service, with the paper oil filter replaced and the strainer cleaned each time.
• Spark plug: inspected at the 1st service and replaced every 12,000 km or 1 year, whichever is earlier. The gap is 0.8 ± 0.1 mm (page 99); the earlier manual gives 0.6 ± 0.1 mm, so check the one for your bike.
• Air filter: a paper element that TVS says should not be cleaned; it is replaced every 12,000 km, sooner in dusty areas (pages 53 and 55).
• Tappet clearance: inspected, and adjusted if there is noise or a starting problem.
• Drive chain: cleaned, lubricated and adjusted at every free service, with slack of 20–25 mm (page 77). The chain is an X-ring type: TVS says not to clean it with diesel or petrol, only a dry cloth or its chain cleaner (page 77).
• Brakes: pads (and the rear shoe on drum-brake bikes) and brake fluid are checked at every free service. Brake fluid is replaced every 24,000 km or 2 years, and brake hoses every 30,000 km (page 58).
• Clutch: cable play checked and adjusted; lever free play should be 7–12 mm at the lever end (page 67). Clutch plates are inspected every 24,000 km.
• Front fork oil: replaced every 18,000 km (page 57).
• Steering: the steering bearings are cleaned and re-greased every 12,000 km (page 57).
• ABS sensors: the wheel speed sensors, toner rings and cables are checked at every free service.

Engine oil

TVS specifies only TVS TRU4 fully synthetic oil, SAE 10W-30 API SL, JASO MA2 (pages 53 and 101). The engine takes 1,000 ml at a regular service and 1,100 ml after an engine overhaul (page 101). Check the level regularly and top up to the maximum mark if needed.

Standard engine oil is included in our service packages, and premium oil can be chosen at extra cost, so if you want to match the manual, ask for a fully synthetic 10W-30 when you book. For how this compares with other bikes, see which engine oil does your bike need?

Tyre pressures

Checked cold (page 74):

• Front: 25 psi (1.75 kg/cm²), solo or with a pillion.
• Rear: 28 psi (2.00 kg/cm²) solo, and 32 psi (2.25 kg/cm²) with a pillion.

Under-inflation costs mileage; see why your bike’s mileage is dropping.

Warranty conditions

The current manual warrants the Apache RTR 160 for 5 years or 60,000 km, whichever is earlier (page 84); the earlier manual gives the same term. TVS is explicit about servicing: “carrying out the service for your vehicle at scheduled intervals at any of the TVS Motor Company Authorised Main Dealer / Authorised Dealer is necessary for availing of warranty” (page 88). Its list of exclusions includes vehicles on which any scheduled service, including a paid one, was not done at a TVS dealer when it fell due (page 87). Consumables, wear items such as the chain, sprockets and brake linings, and batteries and tyres (covered by their own makers) are outside the vehicle warranty.

So while your Apache is under warranty, keep every scheduled service with a TVS dealer and get the Service Handbook stamped. More in does doorstep bike service void your warranty?

After the warranty: doorstep service

The Apache RTR 160 has a 159.7 cc engine (page 96), so it falls into our general service up to 200 cc, listed at ₹1,999 + 18% GST on the package page, which shows the full checklist and what is excluded. It includes engine oil replacement and chain cleaning and lubrication. Every service carries a 7-day warranty on our workmanship, and no part is replaced without your approval. Between services, see how to clean, lube and check the chain.

Sources: TVS Apache RTR 160 owner’s manuals, current edition (2-valve, with Ride Mode, revision 2 of 6 January 2026) and the edition for bikes sold before April 2025, both from TVS Motor’s user manual page; printed page numbers. Last updated: 24 September 2026. The Apache RTR 160 4V, RTR 180 and RTR 200 4V have their own manuals; the manual for your own bike is the document that applies.