Vinay Harne: ‘We don’t plan to give up on our best-in-class quality mantra.’

The TVS Apache began its journey with a 160cc premium motorcycle. What are the key learnings from this journey so far?
The learnings have come from continuously being on (race) track, continuously using the vehicles on the field, from the specialists in this field, from people who are riding in the races and through their experiences. So each time we have completed a race, there have been a few learnings from the race and from the real event, whether it is at the racetrack, motocross, off-road, drag race or even a rally. Every time we send our vehicles out, we learn from that and the product improves. Most of our R&D engineers are good riders who ride in races too. They use these vehicles in that environment, the feedback goes to them directly instead of through some other channel(s). They learn by themselves. I see that the more we race, the better our products get from the design stages.

 

They don’t take part in professional racing. They have to support the professional racers. So there is no conflict between the professional racers and our R&D engineers. All of them (R&D engineers) are capable of racing and riding well, and many of them are also coaches to the young racing enthusiasts. They pick up the best riders and they are also supporting the racers. I have worked as a race engine tuner for almost eight years (1984-92), on engine design and engine tuning. Similarly, we have many engineers who have done some racing. There are also racing experts who have done only aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics, and then there are engineers who are experts in braking and suspension systems. But all of them ride themselves to get a 'feel' of the specific parts and systems that they work upon.

 

Our focus was on getting the best lap timing and to get there we had to concentrate on the overall performance of the vehicle. Overall performance is never about only the engine output or any specific individual part. The three key areas are the engine response so that the bike accelerates faster than other vehicles. This was engine performance and engine response; you know we have always focused on the RTR (racing throttle response) which comes from the fueling system.

While the engine and platform are the same for the two motorcycles (BMW G 310 R and TVS Apache RR 310), the Apache RR 310 comes across as the heavier model. How did you arrive at the balance between its performance 

(This interview has featured in Autocar Professional's December 15, 2017 Anniversary Issue)