TVS Apache RR 310 Review - City Slicker

The TVS Apache RR 310 has been around for nine years now. While it maintains its original look and the BMW-derived 312cc reverse-inclined, single-cylinder engine, the bike has gone through several updates in these years to become better. But is it really good enough?

Everything about the Apache RR 310 is about racing - as TVS would tell you - from the design, to the rider ergonomic, and to the engine, each element is “race tuned.” Ask them, they would tell you!

The RR 310 is so heavily marketed as a racer’s motorcycle that you’d believe it’s a revelation if you were uninformed. Go to the TVS website and you’ll constantly be told how everything on the RR 310 is about the racers and for the racetrack. But a company would market its products as it pleases, to make them look as good as they can be.

Solid city bike that enjoys corner carving and likes to stay in two-digit speeds.

In reality though, the motorcycle is a modest small capacity sports bike that’s primarily good for the city streets. It looks good too, noticeable on the road, and definitely carries bulk for a single-cylinder 300cc motorcycle. I would say it could have been compact. But this is hardly my problem with this motorcycle.

The biggest problem with this motorcycle remains the engine. That 312cc single just doesn’t like high speeds and it doesn’t want you to like them either! That said, the gears are well-spaced and the three more horsepower give you an initial impression that the triple digit speeds should come easier this time. But unfortunately, that is not the case.

As you get closer to the 100 kph mark, the engine keeps getting noisier and harsher. It feels more stressed as the revs climb and acts like it wants to pull back. So you actually do! There is no escaping from it as you keep going faster. The thing is, I had the same experience when we reviewed the BMW G 310 GS a few years ago.

Impressive with its chassis and suspension. Looks pretty good too, can't deny that!

I think the best way I can describe my riding experience of the RR 310 is bittersweet. It’s a capable motorcycle when you consider its chassis, suspension and how they deliver a fun and engaging handling experience.

However, it is sad to see that all the improvements TVS has done to make this engine faster, like the lighter piston and ECU changes, haven’t really done much to create a better experience as such. This BMW-derived 312cc engine, with all its 38 PS of power, still hates triple-digit speeds, almost as if this is its inherent nature. I didn’t even try out the "Urban" mode (one of the 4 riding modes in this bike) as it further decreases the power to 30 PS and the torque to 26.5 NM from 29 NM. This is just ridiculous!

Look past the engine and you will find more things that should have been better, given how long this motorcycle has been around, and the updates it has seen. Like the seat, whose fabric becomes hard with time. It gets slippery, so your abdomen keeps hitting the fuel tank (even if you try and hold the fuel tank with your knees) and it gets uncomfortable. The body panels make creaking sounds here and there, suggesting the fit and finish is not up to the mark. The saving grace is that it’s still a decent looking motorcycle overall.

Quite a fun ride as long as the performance limit of the engine is not explored.

But what it lacks as a triple-digit performer, it makes up for it as a good city bike. Within the city limits, the RR 310 is a spritely performer. It is fun to navigate through traffic because the handling is precise, but not too sharp and it takes to corners well. It is agile, yet, confident around the corners. It’s a solid city slicker!

The engine too feels absolutely fine in this environment. It is responsive and compliments the handling nicely. However, I have repeatedly observed that many times in the 2nd gear, when I try to open the throttle, the power tends to drop suddenly and there’s a noticeable engine-braking effect.

I have never experienced this in any BMW 310 model that I have ridden. It is clear that TVS is quite far behind in terms of refining its ride by wire and ECU mapping. The gearbox is also one of the worst among its competition - it is spongy and requires conscious effort to operate the foot lever.

It is frustrating but gets funny in a way, because you know there is potential in this motorcycle. And when you ride it, especially the way it handles and with the overall nicely balanced suspension at both ends, you know it should have been a much-much better motorcycle. Sadly it’s not.

Too many electronics for my liking on a road-going 300cc motorcycle.

Personally, I feel that TVS does not have a single-point focus with the Apache RR 310. In order to create a flagship, TVS is overloading this motorcycle with features and functions it doesn't need. Instead, the focus should primarily be on refining the basic electronics - such as the ride by wire and ECU mapping - as well as the core platform.

I mean, why does a 300cc motorcycle requires winglets! In all my years of reading about motorcycles and riding them, I just cannot see why this hardware should be there on a simple, road-going motorcycle like the RR 310. Even the Moto2 bikes do not have them.. so go figure!

And then there are all the electronic features that are generally seen on much bigger and faster motorcycles where their presence is genuinely useful. Why does the RR 310 have four riding modes? Or why does it have them at all! I just can’t appreciate having them on this motorcycle.

In fact, I could have tried to be less critical of these features if the basic engineering was faultless. Perhaps then, it would make sense to try and do more with the motorcycle. But it’s not what I would call a sorted motorcycle.

The Apache RR 310 has good chassis and suspension. It definitely does. But the engine and software are unrefined and crude overall.

Starts at ₹2,62,240 (without quick-shifter) ex-showroom Delhi.

I do hope, and expect, that TVS will do better with this collaboration in its future motorcycles. Now that the company is already building the BMW F 450 GS and the production of Norton motorcycles is also in motion, I am genuinely looking forward to what TVS has in store for us, with its own performance motorcycles.