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TVS Apache RTR 310 BTO detailed review: Astronomically fun and stylish

16th February 2024, 16:30 by Utkarsh Chaudhary

For weekend-only runs, the KTM 390 Duke would edge out the Apache but if I had to ride a motorcycle every day of the week, TVS would be the better choice for me.

BHPian neil.jericho recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Over the past few years, the BMW-TVS partnership which resulted in the latter manufacturing different motorcycles on the shared 312.2 cc platform, has proven to be a fairly successful one for both the German and Indian motorcycle companies. Today, BMW has a faired, naked and adventure version for sale in global markets. Initially, TVS had the faired version and in late 2023, finally got the exciting naked Apache variant that motorcycle enthusiasts have been clamouring for.

But first, a bit of a history lesson. In 2017, TVS launched the fully faired Apache RR 310 at Rs 2.05 L (ex-showroom). A year later, BMW launched the naked G310R and the adventure G310GS at Rs 2.99 L and Rs 3.49 L (ex-showroom) respectively. While the Apache RR 310 did well for itself in the face of stiff competition from the more expensive but powerful KTM RC 390, the BMW offerings had a tough time getting off showroom floors, on account of their steep pricing. In 2020, BMW did the smart thing and dropped the ex-showroom prices to Rs 2.45 L and Rs 2.85 L for the R and GS models. In 2021, to freshen up their sporty Apache RR 310, TVS launched the Build To Order (BTO) program which essentially allowed you to spec up your motorcycle with a Dynamic kit and / or a Race kit and / or a special race livery kit. You can read more about the TVS Apache RR 310 BTO here.

In 2022, BMW launched the faired G310RR which was almost the exact same motorcycle as the Apache RR 310. The question on everyone’s mind was when would TVS return the favour and launch the naked version of the 310? Would it simply be a re-badged G310R or would TVS go all out to make it a genuine successor of the Apache family? We had to wait till late 2023 for the TVS Apache RTR 310 to finally be launched (starting at Rs 2.42 L ex-showroom). Now, it's time to get some of these questions answered.

Earlier this month, I managed to get my hands on the keys to the TVS Apache RTR 310 BTO and rode it for a few hundred kilometers. As I mentioned in my Closer Look of the Triumph Tiger 900 GT, please keep in mind that I'm no reviewer, journalist or even an expert. I'm just a motorcycle enthusiast like all of you, here sharing my riding impressions and general opinions on the bike along with a lot of pictures.

TVS Apache RTR 310 BTO – What Is It

If you look at the website of the TVS Apache RTR 310, you will see that TVS has thrown everything at this motorcycle, except the kitchen sink. Many enthusiasts will incorrectly assume that the RTR 310 is simply a butch version of the RR 310 with no mechanical updates. However, TVS has shortened the gearing and made a bunch of other changes to suit the Freestyler image that their marketing team has latched on to.

Basically, the RTR 310 is the Apache to own if you want to commute to office every day and will do the occasional weekend morning ride with your friends. It also is an excellent choice for experienced riders who want an exciting motorcycle with top of the line components, which can be a royal hoot on any given day. The RTR 310 gets the 312cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that puts out 35.6 PS @ 9700 rpm and 28.7 Nm @ 6650 rpm in the Sport, Track and SuperMoto modes. In the Urban and Rain modes, the figures are 27.1 PS @ 7500 rpm and 27.3 Nm @ 6600 rpm. As for the rest of the specs, here is what the TVS website highlights:

Bi-LED headlight
Whole suite of electronics
6 speed gearbox with optional bi-directional quickshifter
Cruise control
Glide Through Technology (GTT)
Supermoto mode
Road 5 tires
Adjustable levers
5 inch TFT screen
5 different ride modes – Sport, Track, SuperMoto, Urban and Rain

With the BTO versions, you also get a choice of the Dynamic Kit, the Dynamic Pro Kit and the Color Kit.

Here is what you get in the Dynamic Kit:

Fully adjustable front and rear suspension
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Brass chain

The Dynamic Pro Kit gets a full suite of electronics including Dynamic stability control, Cornering ABS, Cornering traction control, Wheelie control, Slope dependent control, rear wheel lift off protection (anti stoppie control) and cornering cruise control. You also get the climate control seat.

The Color Kit is the Sepang Blue variant which incorporates their racing livery.

Here is a quick snapshot of the TVS Apache RTR 310

Likes

Fabulous chassis and suspension
Easily the best looking motorcycle in its segment
Engine is a ton of fun in the city and does not disappoint on the highways
Fit and finish is top notch and matches that of premium imported motorbikes
TFT dash is crisp and easy to read even in bright sunlight
Zero heating issues
Bright bi-led headlight is very impressive

Dislikes

The initial braking feel could be better
Understanding the headlight settings isn't easy
The left and right indicators aren’t easy to operate
Far too many variants and options on offer

Initial Impressions

5 top thoughts after the first 30 minutes with the TVS Apache RTR 310 BTO

This rider’s triangle and ergonomics are perfect for my height. I mentioned this in the Closer Look of the Apache RR 310 – I now seriously believe that there is a team of TVS test riders who share my exact same height and build. How else could the bike feel like it has been perfectly designed and built around a rider like me?
The fueling, gearing and power delivery are absolutely spot on. Within 5 seconds of riding the motorcycle, I felt as though I was one with it. It took me less than 300 meters of riding to confidently take a 90 degree turn at full lean and with the throttle wide open.
The extremely light kerb weight of 169 kg, the confidence inspiring handling and the strong low and mid range allow you to cut through traffic almost telepathically. Overtaking in the city is so much fun that you will enjoy your daily commute like you never have before. I found myself squeezing through the tightest of gaps in stationary traffic, which is something that I would never be able to do on my Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, for example.
While the power and torque figures of the TVS Apache RTR 310 are lower than that of say the explosive KTM Duke 390, in the real world, the Apache RTR 310 brings so much usable performance to the table that you will forget all about your Excel sheet comparisons and endless hours of YouTube drag videos, once you get aboard the motorcycle. Not only is it perfectly tuned for the urban jungle, you also greatly benefit from not having to deal with excess unusable power, lack of low-end torque and heating issues, all of which have traditionally been the weakest links of the Duke 390.
Not only is this a perfect upgrade for TVS Apache RTR 150, 160, 180 and 200 owners, but it is also a very pragmatic and fun filled choice for experienced and / or former superbike riders who want to downsize for a variety of reasons.