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TVS Apache RTR 310 Review: A Streetfighter In The City Of Angels
Over the years, the TVS Apache RTR lineup has delighted riders across the country looking for nimble and little frenzied naked speedsters for our Indian roads not starting with the letter P.
So we were a bit surprised when the first fruit of the partnership between TVS and BMW came out in the form of the fared RR 310 instead of an RTR (Racing Throttle Response) branded naked.
Now don't get us wrong, the Apache RR 310 is a maniac that we know and love but we were left hanging a bit about the RTR's future as the Apache lineup reached higher into the cubic capacity wars.
Thankfully, those fears were unfounded as just a few days back TVS launched the Apache RTR 310 in Bangkok, Thailand for the world to see. And when we were invited to the Thai 'City of Angels' to test the all-new TVS Apache RTR 310, well, we couldn't really say no, could we...
TVS Apache RTR 310 Review: Design & Features - Streetfighting Brute With An Electric Mind
The TVS Apache RTR 310 is the latest addition to the Apache RTR lineup and it may be perhaps the meanest looking brute of the lot. It features sharp flowing lines and flared contours with an aggressive stance which make it really a mean machine at first glance.
At the front, the Apache RTR 310 sports a split dual-LED headlight setup that looks more like the face of a Transformer than anything else. Adding to the cyborg looks are the gold USD front forks and the chopped front mudguard.
The sides of the TVS Apache RTR 310 are dominated by the muscular fuel tanks which feature sharp sections that jut out towards the front. There are more of these cutouts lower on the bike which really adds to the aggressive look.
The raked high tail section and the split climate-controlled seat add to the racy ergonomics of the bike. The exhaust looks like it has been transplanted directly from the RR 310 to its naked sibling.
The tail section is narrow and hosts the twin-strip taillights that flash red when you hit the anchors hard to warn those behind you. Also seen is a split grabrail setup.
The TVS Apache RTR 310 rides on 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels which are offered up in two colours (black front and yellow rear/orange) if you get the spec right.
The 5-inch TFT display allows you to change riding modes, set the headlight brightness and turn the cruise control on. It also allows you to connect with your phone, go-pro camera, and smart helmet and can also send out crash alerts, store your documents, play your music and attend your calls.
Other highlights of the TVS Apache RTR 310 include the reverse inclined engine, adjustable hand levers, and tapered handlebars.
TVS Apache RTR 310 Review: Specs & Dimensions - Familiar Facts
The TVS Apache RTR 310 is powered by the familiar 312.2cc, reverse-inclined single-cylinder engine seen in the RR 310 and BMW's G 310 lineup.
For the new Apache RTR 310, TVS tweaked the engine slightly that produces 35bhp at 9700rpm and 28.7Nm at 6650rpm and is linked to a six-speed gearbox. Also seen is a slipper and assist clutch and shifts are aided by a bi-directional quickshifter.
In Urban and Rain modes, the power and torque output dips to 26.7bhp and 27.3Nm of peak torque to help the riders deal with the conditions that specify the need to shift into the modes.
The TVS Apache RTR 310 sports a split chassis setup with a trellis frame and an aluminium rear subframe. This is suspended off a 41mm USD front fork and a mono-shock and aluminium swingarm at the rear. Both the front and rear suspension offer preload, compression and rebound adjustment.
Braking duties are handled by disc brakes clamped down by Bybre brake callipers. The front is a 300mm unit with four-piston callipers while the rear gets a 240mm disc with a single-piston calliper. The brakes are aided by dual-channel ABS.
The RTR 310 rides on 17-inch alloy wheels that are shod with Michelin Road 5 tyres that measure 110/70 (front) and 150/60 (rear).
The TVS Apache RTR 310 comes packed with a host of electronic aids like linear traction control, ride-by-wire, rear lift-off control, and wheelie control while a six-axis IMU adds cornering traction control, cornering cruise control and cornering ABS to the mix.
TVS Apache RTR 310 Review: Riding Impressions - Mean, Yes! But A Bit Soft As Well
The TVS Apache RTR 310 is a mixed bag when it comes to the riding department and while in some situations that is a good thing, there are some places where it feels slightly off.
The response from the engine feels quite a bit lower in Urban and Rain modes thanks to the lowered power and torque levels, which is a good thing if you find yourself in a monsoon shower or traffic. This is further aided by the fact that the bike felt stable at lower revs, never stalling out or bogging down.
Switching to Sport and Track Mode the difference is quite noticeable as the engine feels quite a bit more with the Track mode the best one for those who want to experience the bike's potential to its fullest.
On the move, the engine is rather responsive with the engine providing a good mid-range grunt. The RTR cruises well on city streets at double-digit speeds though there is a noticeable increase in vibrations when you hit triple digits.
We found the quikshifter a joy to work with shifting up and down the gears with ease. However, the gearing felt a bit short and despite hitting a top speed north of 150km/h on the track, we felt that the motor had a bit more to give in terms of performance.
Where we felt more improvements could happen is the suspension. The softer setup is good for city riding. However, on the track, the bounciness of the front forks, the way the bike dove under braking and the quick and aggressive rebound that followed were a bit off-putting.
Hopefully, a few tweaks to the adjustable setup should tune the setup to just how you'd like it. However, you will have to fork out a bit extra for the dynamic kit for that and a little bit over that to get the really exotic riding aids and that climate-controlled seat which is a joy to have especially when you first get onto the bike on a hot day.
The brakes provided excellent stopping power to the RTR 310 naked streetfighter but we found them to be a bit too playful. The initial biting point though wasn't consistent and we'll need a bit more time with the bike to really test it out as we felt them really grabbing at different points.
TVS Apache RTR 310 Review: Final Thoughts & Verdict - Mean Fighter From The City Streets
The TVS Apache RTR 310 sees the RTR lineup join the big-boy 310 club. TVS has done a good job of designing an aggressive-looking streetfighter with the RTR 310 and has given it more than enough oomph to go for it when prowling the city streets. However, there are still a few niggles to sort out first.
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