All In A Days Work: From Commuting On TVS Radeon To Racing A Track-spec TVS Apache RR 310

TVS Racing, the bikemaker’s motorsport division, has been one of the key players in bringing bike racing to the mainstream. The bikemaker’s new initiative, TVS ARE (Apache Racing Experience) GP, is a talent-hunting programme for TVS bike owners across India who can race at the track. In its first edition, over 1,000 participants from about 20 cities took part. We recently got a chance to race on the TVS India One Make Championship (OMC) Apache RR 310 race bike as part of the media class at the TVS ARE GP at the Madras Motor Race Track (MMRT). This is my journey as a TVS Radeon owner who goes from commuting the humble 110cc TVS bike to racing on the track-bred TVS Apache RTR 200 4V, and now, the insane TVS Apache RR 310 OMC race bike:

Like the super-strict math teacher armed with a ruler

The day kicked off with a small introductory session in the pits, followed by a practice round. It was pretty intimidating as most of the riders in my batch already had track experience. Getting onto the bike itself was a task thanks to the seat angled somewhat upwards, and the cramp-causing super rear-set footpegs. But once the engine was fired and the paddock stand was off, the brute-like ‘braap’ filled my senses. It made me realise how much TVS has worked on enhancing the explosive power within the 312.2cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine. In fact, compared to the stock bike’s 34PS, this one makes about 25 percent more power, so around 42PS! It also comes with a free-flow exhaust from Indonesian aftermarket parts maker, WRX Racing. 

Apart from the footpegs, the clip-on handlebars were also lowered, the entire fairing was replaced with a lighter fibreglass fairing. All the bits that were required for a motorcycle to be road legal, such as the headlights, saree guard, pillion footpegs, rear-view mirrors, instrument cluster, were all removed to reduce weight as much as possible. Moreover, the bike was equipped with a quick-throttle – which shortens the throttle action – so that the bike responds with minimal throttle input. 

The result of all these modifications is a machine that’s designed to go as quickly as possible on a race track. Racing requires the highest levels of discipline, and this bike commands that as well. The race-prepped brakes were razor-sharp, and so was the throttle. Modulating these two alone was a challenge. I was entering corners too fast, and though the brakes were sharp, the sense of uneasiness while the rear tyre lifted slightly above ground, on an already forward-leaned riding position, took a lot of time to get used to. 

In fact, in Race 1, while I was trying to keep up with the rest of the riders, I realised I was going too hot into C2 and panic-braked. I overshot the track and somehow managed to stop just a few inches from the tyre barrier. Thankfully there was no physical damage to the bike and I was able to get back into the action. Correcting lines mid-corner (which a good racer shouldn’t be doing in the first place) required quite a bit of finesse due to the quick-throttle. Thankfully, the bike had plenty of grunt at higher revs, so I was able to hold corners on lower gears without losing much momentum. The super grippy TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tyres with more a rounded profile than the stock ones provided plenty of grip when leaned over and were very forgiving to my rookie mistakes.

For someone who is not used to riding faired bikes, getting to grips with a hardcore race-prepped machine took quite a while. By the time I started getting more comfortable with the bike, it was already the race session. With a best time of 2:33.8, I was dead last, and only about 2.5 seconds faster than my best time with the RTR 200 that I’d set at the same track last year. 

What I learnt from riding the race-spec RR 310 is that it commands a lot more commitment to maintain momentum around corners. The more laps you put in, the better you’ll be able to understand the dynamics of the bike. At the end of the day, racing sharpens your reflexes, and your balance on the bike. Applying these lessons go a long way in becoming a more aware, safer rider on the road.

Whereas the race-spec Apache RTR 200 4V was more like an easy-to-approach arts teacher…..

The step up from the Radeon to the Apache RTR 200 4V wasn’t as overwhelming as I thought, as the race-bred bike was pretty accommodating to rookie riders like me. I got to ride the same bike as part of the TVS Young Media Racer Program last year. While the tyres may be deceptively skinny, the bike held on to the track like a leech. Its power delivery was manageable, and the brakes weren’t all that intimidating either. My track outing with the RTR 200 was a whole lot more dramatic as I was able to stand toe-to-toe with quite a few riders, witnessing crashes right ahead of me. You can read more about it in our sister publication here.

After my stint with the race-spec RR 310, I realised I had a long way to master the RTR 200 in the first place. With more track time, my lap times on the 200cc bike would’ve definitely improved, and this would’ve given me a lot more confidence to ride the more powerful, more aggressive RR 310. Nevertheless, riding a race-spec bike is an incredibly visceral experience that every rider should savour at least once in their lifetime!

Participants in the TVS ARE GP were trained by renowned riders like Jagan Kumar (8-time national champion), KY Ahamed (multiple times Indian national racing champion), Vorapong Malahuan (winner of the 2022 TVS Asia One Make Championship), and Aishwarya Pissay (11-time National Road Racing & Rally Champion). The winners will not only get to witness the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia in November, but also a factory visit, and a chance to enter as a wild card for TVS India RR 310 One Make Championship!