TVS Apache RR310 review
The TVS Apache RR310 was first showcased as the Akula concept at the 2016 Auto Expo. The TVS Apache RR310 is the first motorcycle born out of the TVS-BMW collaboration to have come to India. It is priced at Rs 2.05 lakh ex-showroom and competes with the KTM RC390, Yamaha YZF-R3 and the Kawasaki Ninja 300. We have just experienced the Apache RR310 and here is a short review on how it is to ride
The TVS Apache RR310 is easily one of the most good looking motorcycles to have come out of the Hosur factory. The motorcycle has sharp lines and a big windscreen that is sure to protect from the high speed wind blast. TVS claims that the Apache has been extensively wind tunnel tested. From a few angles, this TVS looks like a mini-Ducati and that isn't a bad thing. The dual LED projector headlights are flanked by LED DRLs. The fairing gets TVS' racing decals. The instrument cluster is a unique vertically stacked unit and gives out all the information the rider will ever require. TVS has crafted the tank tastefully and aesthetically in a way that the rider's knees can easily grip it tight. The seat is a split unit and the rider's perch has a tad more padding than, lets say, the KTM RC390, however, the pillion seat is small. TVS have added Michelin tyres to the equation, along with 41mm upside down forks in the front and a monoshock at the rear. The tail light is a full LED unit and the end can is borrowed from the BMW G310R. What impressed us was that the motorcycle is finished with high quality materials
The TVS Apache RR310 gets the BMW-engineered 312cc liquid-cooled single cylinder engine that is good for 34PS/27.5Nm. The changes TVS made to this motor are a different ECU that they claim is tuned for Indian fuel as well as better acceleration off the line with a taller rear sprocket. A special mention must be made of the fact here that the TVS Apache RR310 also has a first-for-India reverse inclined engine. The major difference is that the intake is in the front while the exhaust port is towards the rear, away from the vice versa norm on our Indian motorcycles. Because of all this, TVS engineers were able to extend the swingarm but without increasing the length of the motorcycle. Mass centralisation too is achieved by this and this helps in the handling. While the gearbox is a 6-speed unit (a first for TVS), it again has been tuned for the Apache RR310.
Swing a leg over the motorcycle and you realise that this is a compact bike. The handlebars are placed at a higher position so that you don't really have to stretch to reach them. This quality should make it a relaxed machine at city commutes. Start the engine and you realise that unlike the Apache RTR 200 4V, this is a very refined machine. The exhaust note is typical of single cylinder engines. The engine retains its smoothness right till the end of the rev range. TVS claims a 0-60kmph time of 2.96s and a top speed in excess of 160kmph. The fuelling also seems very precise. What we particularly liked is the linear way in which power is built. However, at higher speeds, there is some amount of vibration which is passed on to the rider through the handlebars as well as seat. The brakes are powerful and with standard non-switchable ABS make stopping the motorcycle in a safe manner, very easy. Flickability of the motorcycle too borders on the easy. At high speeds, stability too is commendable. TVS has also ensured that those shark fins on the fairing do their job of channeling hot air from the engine, away from the rider.
TVS has set a cat amongst the pigeons with the new Apache RR310. Not only is the motorcycle of high quality but it is also priced just right. When you compare competition like the KTM RC390 or even the Mahindra Mojo, you realise that for a smaller performance trade-off, the RR310 is a much better mmotorcycle. TVS has slowly started sending the fully faired Apache to showrooms. However, from the look of it, demand is far going to exceed supply!
Looks
The TVS Apache RR310 is easily one of the most good looking motorcycles to have come out of the Hosur factory. The motorcycle has sharp lines and a big windscreen that is sure to protect from the high speed wind blast. TVS claims that the Apache has been extensively wind tunnel tested. From a few angles, this TVS looks like a mini-Ducati and that isn't a bad thing. The dual LED projector headlights are flanked by LED DRLs. The fairing gets TVS' racing decals. The instrument cluster is a unique vertically stacked unit and gives out all the information the rider will ever require. TVS has crafted the tank tastefully and aesthetically in a way that the rider's knees can easily grip it tight. The seat is a split unit and the rider's perch has a tad more padding than, lets say, the KTM RC390, however, the pillion seat is small. TVS have added Michelin tyres to the equation, along with 41mm upside down forks in the front and a monoshock at the rear. The tail light is a full LED unit and the end can is borrowed from the BMW G310R. What impressed us was that the motorcycle is finished with high quality materials
Engine
Ride impression
Swing a leg over the motorcycle and you realise that this is a compact bike. The handlebars are placed at a higher position so that you don't really have to stretch to reach them. This quality should make it a relaxed machine at city commutes. Start the engine and you realise that unlike the Apache RTR 200 4V, this is a very refined machine. The exhaust note is typical of single cylinder engines. The engine retains its smoothness right till the end of the rev range. TVS claims a 0-60kmph time of 2.96s and a top speed in excess of 160kmph. The fuelling also seems very precise. What we particularly liked is the linear way in which power is built. However, at higher speeds, there is some amount of vibration which is passed on to the rider through the handlebars as well as seat. The brakes are powerful and with standard non-switchable ABS make stopping the motorcycle in a safe manner, very easy. Flickability of the motorcycle too borders on the easy. At high speeds, stability too is commendable. TVS has also ensured that those shark fins on the fairing do their job of channeling hot air from the engine, away from the rider.
Verdict
