TVS Apache RTX Road Test - TVS Goes For The Kill

The TVS Apache RTX is among the biggest launches of 2025 and for good reasons. We have been waiting for years for TVS to launch an ADV bike given its off-road racing experience in India and it was the first Indian brand to compete in Dakar. When the RR 310 was launched, a TVS ADV bike on the same platform was expected as BMW already had the G 310 GS, but the German brand said nein nein! So TVS went ahead and made its own new 300 cc engine and a new platform and got us the Apache RTX. In this video we put the new TVS offering through realworld riding conditions and find out if it’s a good entry-level adventure tourer or not?

Performance

The 300 cc engine is all new, and in terms of performance figures, it is similar to the older BMW 310 cc engine. Talking about city performance, the highlight of this engine is the low end grunt. You can ride this motorcycle in first gear and second gear effortlessly. It rides at low speeds very well without the engine knocking. The engine doesn't feel that peppy and punchy. Don't get me wrong, the acceleration is quick, but in terms of feel and sensation, the RTX doesn't feel that quick. And one has to rev the engine hard to extract the performance potential.

The clutch action is light, but it could have been lighter and the six speed gearbox performs very well. The gear shifts are very positive but I have issues with the quickshifter. The quickshifter lacks consistency, on some occasions it’s flawless, while on others it feels notchy. I think it is because it is a mechanical unit and not a pressure based unit as seen on the TVS Apache RTR 310, 

Once you hit the highway, the bike feels alive and in its element. The TVS Apache RTX can cruise between speeds of around 100-120 kmph rather comfortably and the high speed stability of the bike is very impressive. However, you do experience vibrations at the above mentioned speeds. Yes, in comparison to the BMW 310 cc motor, this TVS powerplant fairs much better, but then again it wasn’t a great benchmark to begin with. You can feel the buzz on the handlebar, the tank, and the footpegs and while the intensity isn’t very harsh, it does make touring a bit less enjoyable. At 100 kmph, the Suzuki V-Strom 250 and the Himalayan 440 feels more settled. Adding to the touring credentials is the cruise control, which is a very useful feature and worked flawlessly on the bike. 

Talking about off-road performance, the Apache RTX isn’t a hardcore mudslinger and is more suited for trail riding. The19 inch 17 inch alloy wheel setup clearly has been employed for munching tarmac and not dirt. On trails, the bike does feel capable as the low-end performance is good and the standing up position too is decent. So the Apache RTX is more of an explorer rather than a wanderlust. 

Fuel Efficiency 

In our road test, which included a mix of both city commutes, high speed runs on the highway, the Apache RTX returned us 25.8 kmpl. The mileage figure could have been better as even the KTM 390 Adventure and the RE Himalayan 450 delivers over 25 kmpl. With a 12.5-litre fuel tank, you’re looking at a full tank range of 322 km, which is decent, but a larger fuel tank would have been useful while touring. 

Styling & Features

I wouldn’t deep dive into the design details of the bike as it’s already been in the market for long. What I will talk about though is its impact. The Apache RTX is an attention magnet and it's down to its styling cues and its size. From the front, the RTX looks like a 700–800 cc ADV bike and it’s a tall bike. In fact, one guy confused it for a Triumph Tiger and in this Viper Green and white frame, I don’t blame him too. In fact, at the fuel pump 3 guys clicked a pic of the bike and as luck would have it even a Triumph Tiger owner I met while testing asked me if he can buy this as his daily bike. So yeah TVS designers have nailed it and the RTX attracts attention for sure. 

The Apache RTX is the most feature-loaded motorcycle in its category and TVS is known for its innovation in the segment. All three variants of the Apache RTX come with a TFT screen and the highlight features of the bike include cruise control, ride modes, traction control, quickshifter, TPMS, map mirroring and dual-channel ABS. You also get both Type B and Type C charging ports on the handlebar. 

The bike is offered in three variants - Base, Top & BTO.  Even the base variant gets equipped with cruise control and ride modes, which is a very good move by the brand. Here’s the details of the three variants.

Ride, Handling & Braking

The RTX is very nimble and one doesn't feel its weight or heft, so during your city commute you will have lots of fun. With respect to handling, the RTX absolutely has the Apache DNA and for an ADV tourer, the cornering ability of the bike is off the charts. The second aspect is the ride quality and the bike gets long travel suspension on both ends. What we tested was the BTO variant which gets adjustable suspension so you can tune the set up based on your need. And in terms of ride quality, I think it is the absolute best in this segment. Broken roads, potholes, speed breakers or anything else that you encounter on Indian roads, the TVS ADV took it in its stride without any effort. The only motorcycle which has a slightly better ride quality is the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 but then again it is in a segment higher. 

The only aspect of the race that I didn't like is its braking. And there are two reasons. First up is the fork drive under hard braking, which can unsettle the rider a bit. Secondly and more importantly is the lack of bite and feel. One has to grab the levers hard for the braking to actuate and even the bite from the pads is very docile. The above is a bit surprising as most of the TVS Apache bikes have very good braking hardware. 

Also READ: TVS Ntorq 150: Evolution Or A Step Back?

Verdict

Talking about pricing, the base variant of the TVS Apache RTX is priced at ₹1.99 lakh, whereas the top-spec BTO variant, which we test rode, retails for ₹2.34 lakh. Our recommendation will be the mid-spec variant which is priced at ₹2.14 lakh (all prices mentioned are ex-showroom) as it offers great value with respect to features and kit. The BTO variant only makes sense if you ride on the trail regularly, as the ₹20,000 saved can be better utilised in quality riding gear. The pricing of the TVS Apache RTX is very competitive especially when compared to rivals such as the Suzuki V-Strom 250 and the Royal Enfield Scram 440. 

The Apache RTX is also a great first attempt in the adventure tourer segment. While many might question TVS’s decision of not going for a hardcore ADV but given the fact that majority of buyers use the motorcycle for touring, the decision makes sense. So if you want a novice friendly offroad motorcycle, the Hero XPulse 210 is a much better choice. What works for the Apache RTX is its imposing presence, the sheer amount of kit on offer, the stupendous ride quality and the wonderful handling dynamics. Yes, we would have preferred a bit more grunt and the engine could do with better NVH, but for the price, the package offered by TVS is really incredible. The seat height is on the taller end and this might put off a few riders, but given the fact that it isn’t very heavy makes it less intimidating. 

However, the biggest challenge for TVS at the moment is delivering the bikes as many customers have cancelled their bookings owing to delay and we hope the company is able to ramp-up production and deliver bikes. The other aspect is that the 300 cc motor is all-new and reliability is unknown, but until now we haven’t heard about any engine issues. So if you want a comfortable, fast and fun ADV tourer, the Apache RTX makes a strong case for itself.