TVS Apache RTR 310

It is always a good sign when big motorcycle companies listen to feedback from both customers and motorcycle journalists, and work on improving their motorcycles. Case in point is the TVS Apache RTR 310 you see here. While I’ve always liked the bike for a number of reasons, there were a few issues that needed to be addressed. TVS promises to have not only worked on those but has also pushed the value quotient of the bike up a few notches. We sampled the updated Apache RTR 310 at the CoASTT race track in Coimbatore and on the public roads around the circuit. This is how it went.

The first thing that strikes you about the Apache RTR 310 is its design. While design, as they say, is always subjective, I personally like the way this bike looks. From the twin LED headlights to the sculpted fuel tank and the upswept tail section, this RTR cuts an aggressive figure.

There’s plenty of attention to detail as well. The handguards you see are new for 2025, and these are quite sturdy, with proper metal mounts. I also like the radiator shroud, the exposed aluminium subframe and the tail section with the fang-shaped LED tail lights.

Keeping the numberplate holder and turn indicators on the tyre hugger gives the bike a nice, tail-tidy appearance which goes with the streetfighter stance of the bike. TVS has also taken the opportunity to introduce four new colours and each of these looks bold and attractive, without being over the top.

As far as quality, as well as fit and finish is concerned, the RTR 310 is the best in class. Whether it is the paint quality, tactility of the switchgear, way the wires are neatly tucked, lustre of the metal parts, or even the grade of plastics used for the bodywork, this bike feels premium in every sense of the word.

TVS says they’ve updated the engine and smoothened the torque delivery of the 312.12cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine. The bike comes with five ride modes, and the maximum power and torque figures differ as per the modes.

In Urban and Rain modes, for instance, the engine makes 26.72bhp at 7,650rpm and 27.3Nm at 6,700rpm. This ensures better responsiveness and a smooth response in such conditions. Switch to Supermoto, Sport, or Track modes and peak power jumps to 35.11bhp at 9,700rpm and peak torque rises to 28.7Nm at 6,650rpm.

TVS is offering the RTR 310 in four variants- Base, Top, BTO or Built to Order Kit 1, and BTO Kit 2.

In the fully-loaded trim that we had on test, there was a laundry list of features. There’s a bi-directional quickshifter, cornering traction control, ABS, cruise control, and newly introduced launch control feature as well. The system allows you to launch the bike from standstill up to three times in succession before LC is disabled for some time to protect the clutch. Also, this is the first TVS motorcycle to get keyless ignition, and this adds to the sense of premiumness of the bike.

Moving on to the chassis, the bike has a steel trellis frame and an aluminium subframe. It is suspended by a KYB, fully adjustable fork and a monoshock. The bike rides on 17-inch alloy wheels shod with Michellin Road 5 tyres, which offer excellent grip in the dry as well as in the wet.

As for the instrumentation, there is a crisp, colour-TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity. The layout changes as per the ride modes and it is quite easy to read all the relevant information while on the go.

The first thing I noticed about the bike when I fired up the engine is the improved refinement. I distinctly remember the first iteration of the RTR 310 feeling vibey even at standstill. That appears to have been taken care of to quite an extent in this 2025 version.

On the move, as you feed the revs and work your way up the gearbox, the turn of speed is quick, especially in Sport and Track modes. The vibrations are notably in check in such scenarios and even the level of harshness that one felt before is reduced to quite an extent. That said, the vibrations are more apparent when the rev bar is at touching distance from the redline. That said, it never got to the point of being bothersome.

I would, however, like to reserve a conclusive judgment on the topic of vibrations after putting the bike through a comprehensive road test back at our Mumbai base. But, initial impressions are positive.

Even the throttle response and the acceleration have become linear and more predictable, which will come as good news to those graduating to this bike from a 125-150cc motorcycle. Out on the road as well as at the racetrack, the engine’s punchy midrange and the responsiveness made it quite the entertainer.

Given the way the bike has been geared, getting off the line once the signal turns green will be quick and you’ll be leaving most of the traffic in the dust, in such scenarios. That said, the same ‘quick accelerating’ gearing of the bike results in an engine that sits at high revs at sustained highway speeds of over 100kmph. It makes the engine sound a bit busy, but not laboured in any way.

What I love about the RTR 310 is its chassis. The feel and feedback that you get from the motorcycle while attacking corners is fantastic and there’s never a point where you are left guessing what the bike is up to. In fact, the front end is precise and quick to change direction as well. This along with the sticky tyres makes this bike a potent bike in the twisties. The braking, though strong, could do with a bit more initial bite.

Feedback or constructive criticism. Whichever way you look at it, if it brings improvements, then it definitely is worth paying attention to. The updated Apache RTR 310 shows TVS’ commitment to the sport naked segment between 300-400cc.

It may not have set the sales charts on fire in its initial run but the small yet significant improvements to the motorcycle should give it a fighting chance. From the looks to the quality, handling and engine performance, as well as the features, the RTR 310 is quite the complete package.

And, with prices beginning at Rs. 2.40 lakh and going up to Rs. 2.85 lakh for the fully-loaded variant, the RTR 310 makes it worth taking a look.

Photography by Kapil Angane