A Streetfighter in 2023?

You may be wondering why a company like TVS would launch a streetfighter in today's day and age. It is a time when most manufacturers are moving away from street-oriented motorcycles to either cruisers or ADVs. A company like TVS first launched an overpriced electric scooter and now a streetfighter? TVS has lost its mind and seems to give its fanbase the opposite of what it wants. The RR 310 was already off to a rocky start; meanwhile, BMW already has a street fighter, and so does everyone else. The only one that has seen successful numbers is KTM, which just launched a new model for the Duke 250 and the 390. Where does a naked version of the RR 310 fit in in all this chaos? Well, I was surprised when I got the all-new RTR 310. 

What is the Apache RTR 310?

Well, it's more than just a naked version of the RR 310. It now makes more power and more torque and has also lost some weight in the process. Unlike most street fighters that showcase their track performance, the RTR 310 isn’t nearly as track-oriented. Instead, it's built to conquer the streets and focuses more on freestyle riding. That’s right, TVS has built a motorcycle meant to pop wheelies comfortably, wiggle through traffic and indulge in all sorts of fun. They have reworked everything they’d already implemented on the RR 310 and added first-segment electronic features such as Dynamic Stability Control, Cornering Traction Control, Cornering Cruise Control, Wheelie Control and even Cornering ABS.

It also gets cruise control, a quick shifter and even a cooled seat! Quite frankly, I wasn’t expecting that, and in theory, it sounds ready to conquer our roads. But we weren’t on our roads; instead, we were on the streets of Bangkok. 

Verdict

The RTR 310 may not have been the motorcycle we all wanted. For those of us looking for a do-it-all-quarter-liter motorcycle, the RTR 310 comes instead well-equipped. The suspension and the electronics are top-notch, and so is the build. Sure, it isn’t the fastest motorcycle south of 400 cc, but it's undoubtedly one of the best bargains in its segment for what it offers. It's got the style, it's got the enthusiasm, and it certainly packs the fun. We’d have to test the RTR 310 over a longer duration to know how it stacks up as a daily motorcycle. 

Still, so far, I’m rather impressed, especially when you consider the price of this motorcycle and how it perfectly sits between the KTM Duke 250 and the Dule 390, which are its biggest rivals. As for the BMW G310 R, would you rather walk into a BMW dealership as an owner of one of their most affordable product, or would you rather walk into a TVS dealership as the owner of not only the more superior motorcycle but also one that’s at the top of the TVS food chain? I know the answer to that, and with that in mind, I think the RTR 310 is quite the bang for your buck, and TVS has introduced a stellar product into the market. 

How is the Apache RTR 310?

In the flesh, the Apache RTR 310 looks like an MT-09 from certain angles. It looks premium and playful, especially in this shade of yellow. The build quality, fit and finish are spot on, and TVS has left no stone unturned. The design looks sharp with various colours and a choice of materials. The exposed frame and subframe look exotic, and TVS has spared no quarter for jazzing up the design. There is a grey colour option, and one called Sepang Blue, which is supposed to be inspired by TVS’ racing colours. My only gripe with the design is the amount of marketing stickers on the motorcycle, and I wish TVS would have kept these to a minimum. You get a set of LED headlamps in the front and dynamic LED tail lights at the rear for illumination. You get a split seat setup, which is comfortable, but the seat can be relatively stiff, especially with the climate-controlled seat option tacked on. 

The Gimmicks and features 

Electronically speaking, the RTR 310 comes entirely loaded for a motorcycle of its capacity. Its electronic aids boast of Cornering ABS, Wheelie Control, Cornering Traction Control, Rear Lift Control, Cornering Cruise Control and Hill Descent Control. The RTR 310 uses a 6D inertial measurement unit, which monitors these parameters and dials in power and braking accordingly. Another significant addition is cruise control, which is excellent for touring, and at my best, it worked well. The climate-controlled seat does seem rather tempting on paper, but in reality, it doesn’t work constantly and will take frequent breaks before cooling or heating your seat. Though I reckon at the point it's more of a gimmick, I’d take the softer seat than a system that works occasionally. The RTR 310 has many segment-first features; most are relatively cool. Sure, one can argue that a person probably wouldn’t ever need most of these features and can do without them. For that, I thank TVS for allowing you to pick and choose what features you want as part of their BTO program. 

Engine – 312.2cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder

Power – 35.1 bhp

Torque – 28.7 Nm

Gearbox – 6-speed (Bidirectional quickshifter)

Fuel Tank Capacity – 11 litres 

Kerb Weight – 169 kgs

Price – Rs. 2.43 lakh – Rs. 2.64 lakh (ex-showroom India)

How does the RTR 310 Perform?

Eager. That’s one word I’d associate the RTR 310 with. Right off the bat, this motorcycle is eager to jump off the line and hits peak power from 5000 rpm. It seems like a motorcycle would be happier on one wheel than on two. The motor is always in the mood to run free, and this sort of spirited nature can be a bit tedious to deal with in bumper-to-bumper traffic. You always have to showcase a certain deal of constraint with this motor, which can be annoying for beginner riders. However, the RTR 310 is a hoot in a pair of controlled hands! It effortlessly zips through traffic, and the quickshifter works flawlessly. I had no problems with it, and this is by far the best system I’ve tried in this segment. 

The Michelin Road 5s do a fantastic job of providing grip, and these are a set of tires I can swear by and have put tons of miles on myself. TVS accessory list will lead you to believe this can also be your touring companion, but the most significant change I’d recommend any owner to do is swap the sprockets. The RR 310 has 46 teeth in its sprocket, while the RTR 310 has only 42. This causes the motor to rev up relatively soon and, on the highway, would restrict you from being able to cruise comfortably. Additionally, the motor vibrates a lot more, and TVS claims that they’ve done this intentionally so that the bike delivers a more communicative riding experience.