2024 TVS Apache RR 310 Review - Great Bike, Wrong Pricing

TVS is a brand synonymous with racing and it has tasted enormous success in the Indian motorsport scene. No wonder then it has a performance-oriented range of motorcycles which fall under the Apache family and what we are riding today is the updated version of its flagship motorcycle - the 2024 Apache RR 310. The new bike looks pretty similar to its predecessor but it has received a whole bunch of performance and feature updates to make it even quicker. What better place than a race track to test out the new Apache RR 310. So let’s ride!  

Performance

The 312 cc engine is the same unit as seen before but TVS engineers have worked their magic to extract 10% more power and torque has been increased by 11%. This has been done by reworking the internals of the engine as the bike gets a larger airbox and lighter forged piston. It now delivers 38 bhp at 9,800 rpm and 29 Nm at 6,700 rpm. So do you feel this performance increment from the get-go? Although it has a strong bottom end, the mid-range is a bit weak, having said that, in terms of acceleration the new Apache RR 310 is 0.4 seconds (6.74 sec) quicker than its predecessor to 100 kmph.

It also has a strong top-end and I saw a speedo-indicated 140 kmph and on longer open roads, you can clock even higher speeds. The throttle response is crisp and you can modulate it with precision and I had a great time on the race track. Another big update is the inclusion of quickshifter (not available with the base variant), while it worked really well for 80% of the track time, but on few occasions it felt a bit notchy.

Moving onto electronics, the Apache RR 310 continues to get 4 riding modes - Rain, Urban, Sport, Track. Since we were riding on a race track, I was mostly on the same mode and in this mode, electronic intervention is the least. However, the traction control felt a bit too intrusive on certain occasions, but in real world conditions, the TC tune will be rather beneficial given the performance on tap. The new bike also gets cruise control, a great addition as the Apache RR 310 can hold triple digit speeds effortlessly making it a good tourer. If you opt for the Dynamic Pro kit, then you get an additional set of  electronic aids and features such as cornering ABS, cornering cruise control, wheelie control, rear lift off control, cornering traction control and slope dependent control.

To test out the cornering cruise control, I set the speed at 80 kmph before entering a corner, and as I leaned the bike, I could see the speed reducing a bit and once I crossed the corner and picked up the bike, it came back to 80 kmph. In my opinion, the cornering cruise control will be more useful in the real world conditions on the highway with flowing bends rather than the race track. Cornering ABS is also a good safety addition but all these features comes at a steep cost of ₹16,000.

On the ergonomics front, the clip-on handle bars have been lowered by 10mm, and on the race track the sporty riding ergonomics was on point. However, has it affected the rider comfort with respect to touring is something we can answer after a thorough road test.

Handling

Handling has always been the forte of the Apache RR 310 and it continues with the updated version too. The balance of the chassis is spot on, and this gives you loads of feedback and confidence while cornering fast. The other aspect that elevates the handling dynamics are the Michelin Road 5 tyres offering immense edge grip so that you can lean further without getting nervous. The bike feels compact and even direction changes don't unsettle the bike and the racing DNA of the Apache clearly shines through. When I say compact, not in form but in feel as even for my large size there’s ample space for you to move around the bike.

Braking hardware hasn’t changed and the braking performance is on point with good bite, but a bit more feedback through the lever would have been welcome. However, even after many hard laps on the track, there wasn’t significant brake fade, which is impressive. Being a track ride, we couldn’t test out the ride quality of the bike and will have to wait for a proper road test to comment on this aspect. If you opt for the Dynamic Kit you get adjustable USD fork, TPMS along with brass-coated chain and honestly unless and until you regularly do track days, it’s something that you can skip as it’s pretty costly at ₹18,000.

Style & Features 

As mentioned before visually nothing has changed on the new bike, except for the addition of the winglets and the most unique bit, a transparent clutch cover, which looks so cool! The Apache RR 310 has always been a sporty and good-looking bike and while the design is over 7-years old, it still manages to look fresh and unique. The graphics have been redesigned with a large Apache sticker that runs across the fuel tank and fairing. It’s also available in new colour shades and the special BTO livery has been carried forward (₹7,000 extra).

Moving on to the features, the flagship TVS bike is heavily loaded. First up is the TFT screen that displays a bunch of data, the key highlights are lap timer, Bluetooth connectivity for call and message alerts, turn-by-turn navigation, day trip meter, top speed recorder and more. If you opt for the Dynamic kit, you get TPMS, and it’s the only bike in its segment to get this feature. However the vertical screen layout means that the information is pretty cluttered. It continues to get all-LED lighting.

Verdict

The updates made on the new Apache RR 310 are incremental but they all add up in elevating the riding experience. Despite its age, the bike still manages to look sporty and unique, performance upgrades in the top-end performance can be seen, the handling dynamics still remains its forte and when it comes to electronic aids, no bike in its segment even comes close to the flagship Apache. 

However, things go downhill the moment one brings pricing into consideration. The base variant retails for ₹2.75 lakh and if you want a quickshifter, one will have to shell out ₹2.92 lakh. Then there’s the KTM RC 390, a bike that offers ballistic performance and a more thrilling ride. Yes, the RC 390 is more expensive at ₹3.21 lakh, but with the optional kits, the 2024 Apache RR 310 will set you back by ₹3.26 lakh (all prices mentioned are ex-showroom). Having said that if you’re looking for a sporty bike which is good at commuting, touring and also track riding, the Apache RR 310 is a great option. However, had TVS kept the pricing more aggressive, then it would have been more recommendable.