TVS Apache RTR 310 Review: Likes & Dislikes

The RTR 310 packs loads of features and performance but does it deliver on them all?

The TVS Apache RTR 310 is, in theory, not a new motorcycle. The RR 310, its faired cousin, has been in the market for quite some time and the BMW G 310 R, its twin from Bavaria, has been here for longer. So to make the RTR 310 stand out from its siblings, let alone the ever-increasing list of rivals, TVS had to make it special. And to do so, they decided to give it aggressive looks and an impressive, never before seen (in this segment) features list. We went to Bangkok to find out if the features are all this bike packs or whether the goodness runs deeper. Let's have a look at the likes and dislikes of this motorcycle to find out. 

Likes: Looks

The Apache RTR 310 is a good looking motorcycle. To design it, TVS has stayed away from the Apaches of the past and re-invented its streetfighter appeal. Lots of sharp cuts and creases along with aggressive contrast graphics help it look mean on the streets. The headlight, tank extensions and lower extensions have a nice angular symmetry, as do the grab rails and LED tail lamp. 

The details don't end there, as the engine cover and the monoshock are red, there is a nice mesh on the tank extensions and under the seat, and the golden upside-down forks make sure you keep finding good looking elements when you look deeper. The rear wheel colour is coordinated with the paint scheme as the yellow bike gets a yellow rear alloy and the other colours get a red one.

Then come the proportions. This is a muscular motorcycle with a fat fuel tank, large rear seat and wide handlebars. The 150/60-R17 rear tyre adds some mass as well and overall, this motorcycle will turn heads and will force you to fill your camera roll with its pictures. 

Likes: Fit and Finish

The Apache feels well built. Despite the number of interlocking plastic panels, the panel gaps, consistency and quality  are all well managed. The switchgear feels tactile and the overall build quality is impressive. The paint quality and graphics design only add to this feeling. The motorcycle not only looks expensive, but feels premium as well. 

Likes: Ergonomics

A new aluminium-cast subframe means that the seating ergonomics are revised from the RR 310. The seat height, at 800mm, is 10mm lower and a better design to the fuel tank means my 5’7” frame fits comfortably on the bike with both my feet reaching the ground easily. Accompanied by a wide and tall handlebar, the riding position is very comfortable. Dial in the lower and forward set footpegs (compared to the RR) and you can easily spend time on the saddle. At 169kg, the kerb weight too has been kept in check which makes it easy to move this bike in parking lots. With all of this, this motorcycle will remain accessible to most riders of various weight, height and strengths which makes it more appealing. 

Likes: Features and Their Execution

TVS really did not hold back while adding features to the RTR 310. Not just segment-first, but possibly first ever on a motorcycle! The key to everything is the impressive 5-inch instrument cluster which is bright and has clear fonts for all readouts. 

Let's start with the basics: Ride Modes. It gets 5: Urban, Rain, Sport, Track, and SuperMoto. The former two produce 35.6 PS (at 9700rpm) while the latter three produce 27.1 PS (at 7500rpm). The difference is felt when you start pushing the bike for overtakes and the Urban mode has a less aggressive throttle response as well.

The tyre pressure monitoring system helps the rider keep a check on pressures and catch the slow punctures on time. A really handy feature for long rides. You can also store bike documents on the instrument cluster so you don’t have to carry hard copies. The bike gets a dynamic headlight and tail lamp. The headlight automatically turns on after dark and increases its  brightness at higher speeds. During hard braking, the tail lamp starts blinking, to alert riders behind you.

In the RTR 310, you get a bi-directional quickshifter. This allows you to shift up and down without using the clutch, saving time and adding convenience, especially during aggressive downshifts. The execution of this feature is very smooth, making it easy to use. 

The RTR 310 also introduces climate control seats, which may be a first for bikes. These seats are not ventilated like those in cars, where fans send air through the seats. Instead, the surface beneath the seat is cooled or heated to make you feel comfortable. While it's effective, the impact diminishes when riding at high speeds or sitting on the seat for an extended period. Additionally, if you're idling at a red light with the engine below 2000rpm, this feature cuts off to conserve the battery. However, we feel that it was not coming back on automatically, which might be a software tuning issue. It also comes with Go-Pro controls, allowing you to pair your action camera and control recording directly from the bike. 

One significant feature is cruise control, which remains engaged even when changing gears. Applying the brakes pauses it, and pressing a single button allows you to resume at the preset speed. It also includes a lean sensor, which reduces speed automatically when you lean into a corner and restores the preset speed when the bike is upright again. All these elements work seamlessly. In the RTR 310, you get a fully adjustable fork, and preload and rebound adjustable monoshock. This enables you to customise the suspension for comfort or sportiness based on your weight and preferences.

FInally, the electronics on the bike are similar to the ones you find on a superbike. It gets a 6-axis IMU which keeps on monitoring the pitch, yaw and lean of the motorcycle to keep you out of trouble. There is dynamic and linear stability control which controls everything from wheelie and stoppie control, to cornering ABS and cruise control speeds. These are very well executed and work smoothly, without the rider feeling their presence in an interrupting manner. 

However, there is a price to be paid for these features. Which features come with which package and their respective costs can be seen in the table below.

BTO Kits

Likes: Performance

The 313cc engine in the RTR is the same as the RR, but with a few differences. It is still reverse-inclined and liquid-cooled, but now runs a higher compression ratio along with a bigger airbox to feed the engine better. With these changes, it now makes 1.6 PS and 1.4 mm more than the RR. And this can be felt in the way it rides in the city. 

Riding the Apache in the city is easy and fun. Its acceleration provides a lively feel, and if you push it hard, the front wheel lifts a little. Here, its wheelie control comes in handy. Whether you're navigating through traffic or on open roads, its throttle response is quick, and the speeds climb quickly. The addition of a quickshifter adds a touch of sportiness in the riding experience as you don't have to press the clutch. 

Its acceleration is better than the RR 310, because TVS has equipped it with a larger rear sprocket, which improves rideability but compromises on top speed a bit. Inside the city, this is definitely the better setup. The bike feels eager to jump away from traffic signals as soon as the lights turn green, and makes the rider feel lively as well. Be it in a lower gear or a higher one, the bike remains tractable and there is plenty of torque to play with. 

Likes: City Manners

With a high seat, wide handlebar, and low-set footpegs, it's easy to navigate this bike in traffic. You stay comfortable, and the bike feels quite nimble. It feels light when manoeuvring through traffic, and the handlebar assists in quick direction changes. Overall, despite being a big bike, the RTR 310 offers you the freedom of riding like a smaller bike does. The seat is large, so both the rider and pillion will stay comfortable.

Dislikes: Engine refinement & Touring Ability

The biggest drawback of this engine is its lack of refinement. Both the noise and vibrations are excessive, which is why this motorcycle always feels a bit stressed, especially during touring. Even at 100kmph in sixth gear, it's running at nearly 7000 rpm, causing a lot of vibrations. The engine also sounds and feels strained, and doesn't offer a relaxed cruising experience. Yes, there's no lack of power and response from the engine for overtaking, but it can't provide you with a calm cruising experience. The NVH levels remind us of the first-gen RR 310, which has come a long way now in terms of improvement. So TVS “going back” in terms of development seems a bit disheartening.

Dislikes: Buzz and Rattling

The motor with its vibration does cause some joints in the bike to rattle and buzz. At higher RPMs, the footpegs start to make noise and we predict this will soon cause other plastic panels to rattle as well. While this can only be tested with time, it could certainly be a cause for concern in long-term ownership. 

Dislikes: Jerky Throttle Response

Inside the city, especially in the Sport and Track riding modes, the throttle’s on/off transition feels jerky. The larger rear sprocket and the quick power delivery are the main causes for this. If you want to ride at a sedate pace, this will start to get irritating. You can switch to Urban mode for this to be more controlled, but then the engine response also dials down which could leave you wanting more performance. 

Dislikes: Price

While the prices start from Rs 2.43 lakh, the bike with all the bells and whistles can cost over Rs 3 lakh (ex-showroom). This puts it right in the crosshairs of motorcycles like the KTM 390 Duke and the Triumph Speed 400 which are better all-rounders, despite having fewer features. 

Verdict

The Apache RTR 310, then, is a mixed bag. While the looks, friendly ergonomics, expansive features list and performance make it a likeable machine, there are certain issues that plague the package. Starting with the engine vibrations and gearing, which make the bike a single-minded machine for the city and not very friendly on the highways. And lastly, the pricing, which gets it very close to the third-generation KTM 390 Duke, a motorcycle that has explosive performance written all over it. And if you want something more sedate, there is always the Triumph Speed 400. 

However, the Apache RTR 310 will certainly be right for you if you are looking for a motorcycle that can turn heads, will primarily be used in the city with little and occasional touring, and one you can show off to friends and family with its immense feature list.