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TVS Apache RTR310 owner shares pros & cons after 10 months of ownership

28th September 2024, 10:33 by Rahul Nagaraj

This bike makes even my shortest commutes really fun and makes me want to take it out for the smallest of reasons.

BHPian Aman2438 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Hi Buddy, I was in a very similar position just like you almost a year back. I had a similar budget and had shortlisted similar bikes *just like you have. I went ahead with the Apache RTR 310, and after riding it for more than 13.3k kms in about 10 months, I will suggest you go for the bike. One of my friend also got the same bike and has covered 3.5k kms in it till date, and he's also quite happy with the bike.*

Pros:
1. Explosive performance: This bike is quite aggressive due to its shorter gearing compared to other 310 models of the TVS-BMW lineup. Every single time you twist the throttle, you'll end up laughing like a maniac. This bike is great fun to ride in the city as well as highways.
2. Rider's ergonomics: The rider's triangle is quite relaxed, and you can comfortably tour this bike along with your daily commute. Also, the rider's seat is quite comfortable (Mine is the non-ventilated seat version).
3. Ride and handling: Bike has an amazing ride and handling balance, and those Michelin Road 5s tires amplify the handling even more with their terrific grip in both dry and wet conditions.
4. Looks: I had the exact same experience as you. I was also not much interested in the bike after seeing the online pics, but it was love at first sight when I saw the bike in person. Also it's an attention magnet, people will turn around to look at your bike, and many people will approach you to inquire about the bike.
5. Fuel efficiency: I find the efficiency to be great for the performance on offer. I get around 23-24 kmpl in Bangalore's peak traffic hours, whereas around 29 kmpl with light traffic conditions. On highways, you can easily get 30+ mileage and my personal best till date is 37 kmpl.
6. Features: The bike is feature-packed and has features that many bikes costing more than double its price are still not getting. The quick shifter needs to be experienced to get to know how amazing it is, and the cruise control really helps to relax your right hand on those really long bike tours.
7. Headlight: I have to make a special mention of the headlights, as despite being LED's, they are just fantastic. They have amazing throw, and you really don't need any kind of aux lights for your long rides. (This headlight is better than my dad's pre facelift Skoda Rapid's headlights )

Cons:
1. Service: TVS service is a mixed bag, and it really depends on the dealer. There are few dealers who are really good, and there are some who will turn your experience into a nightmare. It's best to have your TVS regional service manager's number saved, as those guys are really helpful and will help to get things sorted (every dealership will have their number out on display, so no issues in getting that).
2. Engine refinement: Engine refinement isn't that good, and it sounds clattery, which is not to everyone's liking. Vibrations will go down significantly after your first oil change and after your second oil change, they will reduce even further. But new bikes are better in this regard as they are getting better vibration damping(Here's a post by Bhpian Doomketu about the TVS Care Craft Camp https://www.team-bhp.com/news/learnt...are-craft-camp). I don't think that it should be a major deterrent anymore. Even Scrambler 400X has vibrations so it's not specific to RTR as these are big single cylinder bikes.
3. Exhaust: I personally quite like how the exhaust looks on this bike, but many people think otherwise. For me personally, the greater issue is how it sounds. It sounds really bland. Only at very high rpms (7k+) it has got some boomy sound. Leave the bikes like the Dominar 400 and Scrambler 400 X. Even TVS's own bikes, like the RTR 200 and RTR 160 sound much better overall.
4. Pillion comfort: If you plan on riding 2 up regularly, then this bike is clearly not for you. The pillion seat is hard and high up. Pillion will also need to sit knees up if they are more than 5'6" in height. Along with this bike's brutal acceleration, the pillion won't be liking this bike much.

This bike makes even my shortest commutes really fun and makes me want to take it out for the smallest of reasons. It has its fair share of niggles and cons, but once I put my helmet's visor down, I tend to forget everything else.
Also, I would suggest you look at the Duke 250, as it is also one great bike, and if the RTR 310 wasn't there, then I would have been riding that bike. Do test ride all the bikes properly and get the one with which you can connect the most.

On my way to Kaveri Sangama