TVS Apache RTR 310 first ride review: Most advanced TVS motorcycle ever!

It is hard to imagine that the Apache RR 310, the company’s highest displacement motorcycle, has been around for almost six years now. TVS has constantly updated the bike over the years but did not really spawn more products with the same engine. But that is all changing with the launch of the Apache RTR 310, the naked version of the RR 310. The homegrown automaker has not just settled for a cosmetic redesign, instead, it has packed it with segment-first features and a lower price tag than the RR 310 as well. We were given the opportunity to ride this machine through the streets of Bangkok and also on a race track and here are our first impressions on it.

Designed to thrill

The biggest talking point in the design department has the be the headlamp unit which looks nothing like the one seen on the RR 310. The RTR 310 distches the fairing and the headlamp unit has two thin LED DRLs. Even the main lights are split by a black element running in the middle. Available in a total of three colour options, the RTR 310 will surely remind you of Bumblebee from Transformer in its Fury Yellow avatar. A cool feature that TVS has added to the bike is dynamic lighting. Depending on the speed of the motorcycle, the headlamp illumination and throw can be changed automatically. One can also disable this option from the menu if they desire so.
This is a good-looking motorcycle for sure. TVS has gone for a sharper design language and it is evident in the fuel tank design. Even the split seats look very angular and have a modular look to them. Over in the sides, you will barely see the engine peeking through the interplay of the exposed frame and the plastic design elements. Sure, the RTR 310 will remind you of certain other naked motorcycles from different angles but I think it does look proportionate and fresh.

A new instrument cluster

For the Apache RTR 310, TVS has gone with a 5-inch TFT, multi-colour instrument cluster like the RR 310 but the orientation has been changed from vertical to horizontal. I like this horizontal unit more than the vertical one and it displays a good chunk of information in a very legible manner. You can use the switches on the left side of the handlebar to navigate through the menu. There is a lot of information that you can absorb from the display and also a host of options that you can choose from. Changing the ride modes also changes the display theme. Not only can you change basic display-related options on the screen, but you can even toggle features like traction control, headlight illumination, climate seat configuration and more.

A more powerful engine

You get the familiar 312.12 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, engine with the RTR 310 but the power and torque outputs have been increased very slightly due to a remapped ECU and minor tweaks to the exhaust. It now produces 35.1 hp and 28.7 Nm which is 1.5 hp and 1.4 Nm more than the figures seen on the RR 310, respectively. While you might not immediately feel the effect of the increased output, the 5 kg lighter weight and the sharper response of the bike do make a difference. It was fun zipping through city traffic on this motorcycle. Switching lanes and taking turns comes easier to this motorcycle.
The only thing that I did not like was the amount of vibrations that seep in at higher rpms. The moment you inch closer to 6000 rpm, the buzz can be felt through the handlebars, footpegs and a little bit from the seat too. Cruising at 80 kmph in sixth gear is fine as the bike stays around 5500 rpm for this. However, it would have been great if the same smoothness could be felt at triple digit speeds.

We got to ride the motorcycle for nearly 40 km on city roads and highways and I was happy to see that the riding position is a bit more relaxed on the RTR 310 compared to its faired sibling. I found the rider seat to be adequately comfortable and the option to heat/cool the seat means that this machine will be more usable on days with extreme temperatures. The seat height is also rather accessible at 800 mm.

Track experience

Out on the track, the bike feels more agile than the RR 310 and it is easier to switch sides and hang out when tackling a chicane. The tyres provided plenty of grip once they had built up some temperature in them. Despite the track being rather bumpy and broken in parts, the bike maintained high levels of grip. Another thing that you really appreciate on the track is the short gearing and the capable bi-directional quickshifter. You will quickly be climbing up the gears as you accelerate out of a slow corner and you will not even have to use the clutch lever to do so. Whether downshifting aggressively on the track or casually changing gears on the highway, the quickshifter did not unsettle the bike at any point.
While TVS claims a top speed of 150 kmph for the RTR 310, we saw a speedometer indicated 160 kmph. As for the braking, I was mostly depending on the front disc to slow me down. There is plenty of bite in the brakes to get you down from trip digit speeds to 30-40 kmph in a short amount of time and distance. The cornering ABS also work well and can keep the bike stable even when trail braking through the corner. Sadly, the rear brake was lacklustre in comparison and could definitely be improved. The traction control system can be a bit intrusive at times when you try to put the power down too quickly but you can switch it off if you so desire.

With the Dynamic and Dynamic Pro kit, one can get fully adjustable front and rear suspension to further enhance the feel and response of the RTR 310. TVS is also giving something called as Race Tuned Dynamic Stability Control (RT DSC) with the bike and it includes the previously mentioned cornering ABS, cornering traction control, rear lift-off control, wheelie control and more. These can be helpful for customers who intend to push the bike to its limits.

Conclusion

I am happy to see so many new and competitive entries in the 300-500 cc motorcycle segment lately. With a starting price of Rs 2.43 lakh (ex-showroom), the RTR 310 is going to be an attractive option for people who want a smart and stylish bike for city commutes. For people who want more features, the BTO kits can provide just that without jumping over the Rs 3 lakh (ex-showroom) mark. My only concern with the bike as of now is the amount of vibrations you feel after 6000 rpm. The rest of the package is solid and more importantly, fun to ride.