TVS Apache RTR 310 Long-Term Review: City

What's Good?

That 38bhp-producing 310cc engine did make my commute quicker, if not shorter. Moreover, while this engine is known for its good low-end torque, its strong mid-range is what won me over. Mumbai city has one of the worst average driving speeds, but when you have a motorcycle like the RTR 310, you get an opportunity to be one of the fastest on the roads. I love it when motorcycles help me save time. And the overall acceleration and the linear power delivery of this motorcycle hit the right spot as I could cut through traffic quite easily.

The next big thing I like about this motorcycle is the quickshifter. I barely had to use the clutch lever and that meant the overall fatigue dropped drastically. And trust me, riding in a city like Mumbai is a terrible experience. But features like quickshifter do improve the overall quality of life.

The agile nature is another aspect I quite enjoyed. Plus, with the wide handlebar, I had really good leverage and filtering between autos and cars felt easy and relaxed.

At first, I did found the instrument cluster to be cluttered as it shows a ton of data. But over some time, not only did I get used to it, I found that there are some handy features in it. Like, for the daily ride stats – this screen shows the kilometres I’ve ridden on a particular day and how much time it took me. As someone who spends a lot of time on a motorcycle, I found this feature extremely helpful. Also, this data is automatically reset the next day. I equipped my motorcycle with a tyre pressure monitoring system (TMPS) – a feature that I love a lot. I have a habit of checking tyre pressure every two to three days. And, with the Apache RTR 310, TPMS system comes as standard, and shows all data on the screen, eliminating the need for an external unit.

What's Not Good?

I’m not a big fan of how the Apache RTR 310 rides over bad roads, especially the rear. The springs at the back feel quite stiff, even for a 95kg rider. I feel the rebound could have been softer and that could have improved the overall riding experience.

While I’m a big fan of the 310cc engine’s performance, the overall NVH isn’t up to the mark. The motor feels harsh after some time, and it is quite vibey post 6000rpm. Plus, the buzz could be felt on the handlebar, seat and footpegs. Some of it can also be felt on the fuel tank.

I’m trying quite hard but still haven't got around to liking the styling of the motorcycle, especially the front. I somehow feel this Apache could have been designed much better. When no one really bothers to check out a bright yellow motorcycle at a busy signal in Mumbai, then there’s definitely something wrong with the styling.

What's Next?

Winter is almost here and that means, I’ll end up doing a few road trips. I know that the TVS Apache RTR 310 isn’t a touring motorcycle, but I, like most bikers in India, am so passionate about travel that I end up making any motorcycle a touring bike. So it is time to see how this RTR performs on the national highways of India. Stay tuned for that.

Photography by Kapil Angane