[Sudarshan42]

Nice review Neil! I've fallen head over heels for this bike mainly due to the way it looks, and the 2 lower variants (base or base + QS) are high on my list. One note about the flyscreen though- TVS has mentioned on their website that the following items are available as accessories, although it must be said that adding anything onto this stunning bike would take away from its aesthetic appeal. Add only if you're a hardcore tourer



Edit: Despite the image of the heavily-kitted bike on their site, the actual accessories page has a bunch of tshirts.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

What I can say with utmost certainty, is that I loved every minute that I spent with this TVS Apache RTR 310 BTO motorcycle.

Fantastic review Neil! Loved reading about your time with this bike. What you have said above is what really matters the most, more than specifications or numbers on paper. Would love to experience one myself after reading your glowing report

I also love the way this baby looks except I don’t like the exhaust. For me it doesn’t go with the overall looks of the bike. If the exhaust could have been slimmer it would complete the look in my opinion. Left angled valve stems can easily be added, left I feel is better for our roads.

Look forward to reading your views if/when you manage to get your hands on the 2024 Duke 390.

Cheers

[Nilesh5417]

This review is so good and probably much awaited for a long time. Thanks much Niel.

Makes my belief stronger that TVS can engineer great bikes and they have thought through really well on how to diffrentiate RTR310 from the BMW / TVS siblings.

Based on what Niel has outlined, the RTR310 is such an underdog. It deserves more visibility, more sales!

If nothing else, the other manufacturers should atleast pick up how to provide LED illumination that truly works!

[nstark13]

Thank you for an excellent review Neil! This is probably the closest official review one can get for the RTR 310. I'm one of few who had the pleasure of riding this mean machine when it was launched earlier last year. I'm seriously considering this, though haven't finalized anything.

As you mentioned, this is THE upgrade to a RTR 200 owner like myself.

[sandeepmohan]

I follow the Indian car and motorcycle market even though I have been living abroad for close to 7 years now. Thanks largely due to the intel from this Website and Forum. Now, even with all that information, I never knew this model existed, in this BTO form. The RTR series is known to almost every motorcycle enthusiast, however, the model rarely comes up as a recommendation. TVS have never really put in enough effort to sell their performance motorcycles. There have been gaps in product offering and consistency in quality over the years. You can say the same existed with the competition (Example KTM) but that never stopped people from buying or recommending one. This mars the success of a product.

For what is essentially a flagship product, the fact that you can order this in the form of a BTO isn't even mentioned on the front page of their website (Its there for the RR310). Thats an oversight from TVS.

KTM roared in with their Duke 200, followed that up with the Duke 390 (Which I did own for a short window) and those bikes continue as top recommendations if you want something fast and nimble. Bajaj did the same with their Pulsar line. Kept pushing and updating their model portfolio with every opportunity. TVS had to wait till BMW entered the picture to offer something even remotely close to what a Duke 200 could do. The RTR 160/200 hardly worried KTM or Bajaj.

Even with this highly detailed review of the excellent RTR 310 BTO, I would still consider the 390 cause I owned one. Its built up a fan following and a sort of pedigree (TVS has this, to a far lesser degree, even with all that racing DNA). Its going to take something to consider another offering. TVS as a brand is a hard sell for me. Sort of like how Google has been inconsistent with their Pixel devices.

TVS need to go all out in pushing this model. Its such a desirable machine. To the point that you could just admire it while its standing. Such amazing attention to detail that no other motorcycle has in this segment.

Thanks for the detailed write up.

[hikozaru]

I've ridden a few different RTR200s but could never bring myself to like the bike. Despite being peppy, refined, sounding quite interesting for a bike of its class, it felt too pedestrian. Even Hondas are more fun somehow. While the 310s might have great build quality, I find all the paint jobs on both the RR and RTR to be the bad kind of flashy (and I really like all KTMs in orange and white). Compare it to the white colour BMW G310RR and you will see what I mean.

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

So, Dynamic Kit or Dynamic Pro kit? As I mentioned in my initial impressions (TVS Apache RTR 310 launched at Rs. 2.43 lakh) of the Apache RTR 310, I had so many enthusiasts come up to me and talk about the motorcycle, that it boggled my mind. One of most common questions which I got was - If we could only afford one, should we take the Dynamic Kit or the Dynamic Pro kit? To every single person who asked me this, I recommended the Dynamic Pro kit because the huge electronics suite will probably be called into action very rarely, but when you need it, you will be glad that it had your back. For those on a tight budget, I would suggest that you skip the Dynamic kit but if you are an experienced rider, the Dynamic kit along with the Dynamic Pro kit is an absolute no-brainer. If I were to pick an RTR 310 for myself, I would get myself the Sepang Blue (for more Instagram likes, assuming that some day I will actually create an Instagram profile) with both the Dynamic and Dynamic Pro kit.

Have to disagree. The suspension kit is better than an electronics suite anyday because a better suspension with better damping qualities can just as easily save you from a crash coming from unsettling the bike, whether it is due to poor downshift technique, mid corner potholes, poor bodyweight transfer. It allows you to emergency brake safely in the middle of a corner on our unpredictable roads, I don't think electronics do anything more than prevent slides on sandy terrain. And on normal, good days, the suspension allows you to push more whereas the electronics cannot give you an extra 3kmph on a corner, nor does it soften the blow to your spine over a pothole.

The triumphs are cheaper and Bajaj seems committed to the brand. No track junkie is going to buy a slower bike, so aftermarket support for the 310s is always going to be limited compared to the 390 (just look at the 390 restoration threads here, how knowledgeable so many people are about these bikes). The KTMs are the embodiment of 'I came, I saw, I conquered' in the Indian market, meanwhile the RTR310 (apart from being underpowered for the A2 class) has an unfocused design, like you said, MT headlights, ducati radiators, as though the bike itself is not sure what it wants to be. So nope, I think the bike is a tough sell overall even if TVS manages to get their dealerships and service sorted.

[neil.jericho]

Thank you to everyone who has replied on this thread and otherwise, for all your kind words of appreciation! I never imagined that this thread would evoke such a warm response from so many motorcycle enthusiasts.

Originally Posted by Elegant

Sir, this was no less than an official review. Thank you for sharing.

Elegant, I wish that I could reach the fantastic attention to detail levels in the official motorcycle reviews by Dr CD, Axe77 and the others, but thank you!

Originally Posted by saikishor

Sir, I had read your BTO RR310 with a lot of enthusiasm when you posted it. Noq, I read this review with the same enthusiasm I had before!
I found it surprising that youth you spoke to found the yellow to be disgusting. I might belong to the same age bracket and I find the yellow to look smashing. Infact given a chance to own this motorcycle, yellow would be the color for me.

TVS isn't selling this motorcycle unless they step up their dealership and marketing game. There are absolutely no test rides available in my city, atleast in the few dealerships that I spoke to.

saikishor, thank you for your kind words. I was genuinely surprised by the feedback from young enthusiasts on the colour schemes. These gentlemen were in their mid 20s, and knew all about the TVS Apache RTR 310 BTO. So, I would say that they are a fair representation of a segment of the target market for this motorcycle. I expected them to admit that they loved the yellow scheme but it was just the opposite! Thus far, I have only seen 1 yellow RTR 310 and about 3 - 5 black ones. I am yet to spot a Sepang Blue RTR 310 and I doubt very much that it will change, even in a motorcycle hungry market like Bangalore.

Originally Posted by AtheK

amazing write up neil, this is one bike I am not seeing much of on the road, which is disappointing. Neil how are the vibrations controlled on this bike on highway, I remember with 310RR after constant riding of 1 hour at cruising speeds I used to have numbness in my hand. Is it the same with this bike?

Also what is your view on doing a two up riding on highway with this bike, how comfortable is Pillion seat, would wifey be OK to sit on it for a 100 Km non stop stint. I am very seriously considering to sell my Interceptor and replace it with another bike, while one option is to fill it with RTR310/ADV390 and RS457 (For track and solo fun runs on highway) or seriosuly look at Honda NX500, which can be one bike to do it all.If I get NX500 then S1000RR will start seeing track earlier then I want to take it to track. One other option can be RTR310/ADV390 and S1KRR, I want to avoid RE now, though some part of me really wants me to throw Himalayan in the mix.

Thank you AtheK! The bike that I rode didnt have too many kilometers on the odometer. Im not sure if that had something to do with it, but it was actually much smoother than I expected. After a quick breakfast blast, I had a very mild tingle in my fingers which disappeared quickly but that sensation would have been amplified if I was on a KTM 390, for example.

For your use case, I would seriously suggest the Honda NX500. Ive ridden the CB500X and honestly, I think it is the practical big bike that many Indian enthusiasts need. Its unfortunate that it isnt the motorcycle that they want.

Originally Posted by Hagaru

Thank you so much for this detailed write-up @neil.jericho! I think this is going to act as a perfect starter guide for those considering this motorcycle.

Considering the location of some of these shots (which is close to a very well known motorbike garage), I'm fairly certain I spotted you on the road, multiple times. As an ex-RTR 200 (very recently sold) owner, the 310 has been on my radar for a long time. As you said, it would be a great upgrade and everytime I've seen it on the road, its massive road presence has always had me staring at the bike. Would've loved to talk to you about the bike but it was crowded and I had taken the car.

Hagaru, thank you for your kind words. It looks like you did indeed spot me riding (hooning? shhh lets not tell anyone) on the Apache RTR 310 BTO. If we do cross paths again, do stop by to chat!

Originally Posted by Sudarshan42

Nice review Neil! I've fallen head over heels for this bike mainly due to the way it looks, and the 2 lower variants (base or base + QS) are high on my list. One note about the flyscreen though- TVS has mentioned on their website that the following items are available as accessories, although it must be said that adding anything onto this stunning bike would take away from its aesthetic appeal. Add only if you're a hardcore tourer

Thank you, Sudarshan42! Somehow, I have never gotten comfortable with using a quickshifter on any motorcycle which I ride, as I find it to be totally counter-intuitive. The Triumph Street Triple 675 which I owned, had one and I used it not more than a dozen times. Call me old fashioned. I say all this to say that the base variant of the Apache RTR 310 is actually pretty good value.

Originally Posted by Cyborg

Fantastic review Neil! Loved reading about your time with this bike. What you have said above is what really matters the most, more than specifications or numbers on paper. Would love to experience one myself after reading your glowing report

I also love the way this baby looks except I don’t like the exhaust. For me it doesn’t go with the overall looks of the bike. If the exhaust could have been slimmer it would complete the look in my opinion. Left angled valve stems can easily be added, left I feel is better for our roads.

Cyborg, thank you as always for your kind words. Even today, I find myself surprised by how much fun I had on the motorcycle and how rarely that happens, even with the unimaginable number of motorcycles available to enthusiasts in 2024. I would love to spend a few quality days with a new generation KTM Duke 390 and ride it in different conditions.

I hope someone at KTM is reading this. You know where to find me!

Originally Posted by Nilesh5417

This review is so good and probably much awaited for a long time. Thanks much Niel.

Makes my belief stronger that TVS can engineer great bikes and they have thought through really well on how to diffrentiate RTR310 from the BMW / TVS siblings.

Based on what Niel has outlined, the RTR310 is such an underdog. It deserves more visibility, more sales!

If nothing else, the other manufacturers should atleast pick up how to provide LED illumination that truly works!

Nilesh5417, I couldnt agree more with every statement that you made.

Originally Posted by nstark13

Thank you for an excellent review Neil! This is probably the closest official review one can get for the RTR 310. I'm one of few who had the pleasure of riding this mean machine when it was launched earlier last year. I'm seriously considering this, though haven't finalized anything.

As you mentioned, this is THE upgrade to a RTR 200 owner like myself.

nstark13, thank you! All the best for your motorcycle upgrade and do keep us posted on what you finally decide on buying.

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

Even with this highly detailed review of the excellent RTR 310 BTO, I would still consider the 390 cause I owned one. Its built up a fan following and a sort of pedigree (TVS has this, to a far lesser degree, even with all that racing DNA). Its going to take something to consider another offering. TVS as a brand is a hard sell for me. Sort of like how Google has been inconsistent with their Pixel devices.

TVS need to go all out in pushing this model. Its such a desirable machine. To the point that you could just admire it while its standing. Such amazing attention to detail that no other motorcycle has in this segment.

Thanks for the detailed write up.

Thank you sandeepmohan. I genuinely do get why most enthusiasts would opt for the 390s, even if these KTMs havent historically been my favourites. Meanwhile, I hear that TVS is working towards improving the showroom experience and hopefully they can push what is a true underdog in the enthusiast market. At the end of the day, it is us motorcycle riders who benefit from the launch of these well engineered motorcycles.

[doomketu]

This thread has been read multiple times over by me and after a few test rides i booked an arsenal black with Quick shifter. Thank you for sharing such detailed analysis which helped immensely. I am looking forward to its delivery once i get the loan related articles sorted. Hopefully it will arrive by the month end. Am i missing out by not getting the Dynamic Kit ?
I am by no means an experienced rider, just someone who is more happy in 4 wheels than 2 ( animal farm anyone?). TPMS and Brass chains are non issue for me, as i will be riding solo, i found the suspension setup adequate.

For the past few months i was mentally preparing myself for getting the Himalayan. Somehow a trip to book a Jupiter (unrelated to my hunt) led me to this. I went in blind the first time and for the 2nd test ride i had gone thru this article a few times over. So thank you very much.

I look forward to getting used to the bike and maybe someday be brave enough to write a well written article like this.

[doomketu]

Got the beauty delivered earlier in the month drove it for about 100 km now and loving every bit of it. Long term review is still a W.I.P. However i encountered a " Engine Malfunction"/"check engine light" error. I thought this was restricted to RR310 but see this happening here. I want to chalk it off to the side stand sensor, but will ride again tomorrow to see if error clears, and talk to the service center. Its a shame, otherwise a very good bike

[doomketu]

Originally Posted by doomketu

I want to chalk it off to the side stand sensor, but will ride again tomorrow to see if error clears, and talk to the service center. Its a shame, otherwise a very good bike

Good News is that after a 25 km ride last night, the error didn't pop up. It was a side stand sensor issue which auto resolved. Told the guy who cleans our vehicle to not touch the bike for a while as i will take care of it myself.
Was low-key worried, if even the coolant fan might be a potential cause. Happy to say it is working normally. It kicked in bumper to bumper traffic and kept running till i hit 50kph . The coolant temps ranged between 75-85 which i feel is normal.

As Captain haddock said : All is well that ends well.

[Sportigo]

TVS organising camps like this is a good thing. Thanks for bringing us this kind of content. I wonder if the vibration dampers did anything to suppress the vibration the RTR 310 is so known for. Will those updates come in the future bikes as well. Any hint on that

[doomketu]

Originally Posted by Sportigo

I wonder if the vibration dampers did anything to suppress the vibration the RTR 310 is so known for.

The Vibrations will not disappear. Post update i have driven about 250km and can say that the vibrations stemming from the tank-seat joining area has reduced. In the mid-band the vibrations felt in handlebar has reduced significantly. I wear gloves for all my rides, so i feel negligible amount of vibrations on my hands ( say between 5k to 7k rpm).
The vibration will still be felt on your butt when revving hard but that is still not a free prostrate exam as many would believe it to be.

Will those updates come in the future bikes as well. Any hint on that

Yes, we were the first batch to get it done. TVS will be rolling this out as a part of your service in the near future. I am not sure on the exact timelines.

EDIT : I misunderstood your query. If your query was about Vibration fixes in future TVS products i am not aware. My reply is for the RTR 310 only.

[Sportigo]

Originally Posted by doomketu

Yes, we were the first batch to get it done. TVS will be rolling this out as a part of your service in the near future. I am not sure on the exact timelines.

EDIT : I misunderstood your query. If your query was about Vibration fixes in future TVS products i am not aware. My reply is for the RTR 310 only.

Thank You for the reply. My bad, i meant vibration fixes for RTR 310 only. Thank you for clarifying.

I am planning to buy RTR 310 in the next few months may be. So just trying to get the doubts cleared. I did test ride the rtr 310 and it wasn't as refined as my current 7 years old Fazer 25.