Buying A TVS Ronin This Diwali? Here’s Why It’s A Good Choice

Diwali is close, and always a great time to get yourself a new bike. If you have been on the fence about buying the TVS Ronin, here’s why it might be a good choice.

It starts at Rs 1.27 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and got a few updates in September.

An engine that doesn't ask much from you

The Ronin uses a 225.9cc oil-cooled, 4-valve, single-cylinder engine that makes 20.4PS (15.01kW) at 7,750rpm and 19.93Nm at just 3,750rpm. It shares its base with the Apache RTR 200 4V, but TVS tuned it for calmer riding. That low-rev torque is what you feel in traffic. It pulls cleanly from low speeds, so you change gears less. Glide Through Traffic tech and the assist and slipper clutch on the 5-speed gearbox help there too.

Mileage is good for this size. We got 42.95kmpl in the city and 40.77kmpl on the highway, which matches the ARAI claim. With a 14-litre tank, that's well over 400 km between fill-ups.

Just note that vibrations creep in above 90kmph, so it's not a bike for relaxed 100kmph cruising.

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Comfort that suits everyday riding

The bars are wide and sit high, the pegs are mid-set, and the riding position is upright. The 795mm seat is low enough to make getting on and off easy, while taller riders won't feel cramped. The seat is well padded for solo rides.

Pillion space is the weak spot. It's fine for the odd ride, but the rear seat is short on space, and there's no backrest. If you ride two-up daily, keep that in mind.

Easy to manage in traffic

At around 159kg, the Ronin is easy to manage for beginners and experienced riders alike. The wide bars give you good leverage in U-turns and tight parking spots, and the 1,357mm wheelbase keeps it stable. The chassis reacts quickly and stays planted in fast corners. It rewards smooth inputs, though it won't tempt you into chasing apexes.

The suspension is a 41mm USD fork at the front and a monoshock with 7-step preload adjustment at the back. It's kept on the firmer side, yet it handles broken roads well. With 181mm of ground clearance, you don't have to slow down for every speed breaker either.

Looks and build that feel worth more than the price

The round LED headlamp with T-shaped position lamps gives the front a real identity. The 14-litre tank looks beefy without being bulky, and the rear is neat and uncluttered. The blocky side panels are the one styling miss.

Build quality is the bigger surprise. Panel gaps are tight, the paint is clean, and even the wiring shows care. It sits on 17-inch, 9-spoke alloy wheels with tubeless tyres, a 110/70 at the front and a 130/70 at the rear.

There are seven colours in total. The Base gets three, including Lightning Black and Magma Red, and it has black forks. The Mid and Top both come in dual-tone colours: Charcoal Ember and Glacier Silver on the Mid, Nimbus Grey and Midnight Blue on the Top. Both also get bright gold forks. Our pick is Midnight Blue.

Features and safety

The digital console shows gear position, distance to empty, average speed, fuel level and dual tripmeters, without looking crowded. Every variant gets LED lighting all round, a digital fuel gauge and a USB charging port.

Braking is handled by a 300mm front disc and a 240mm rear disc. Stopping power is decent, though riders who brake hard may want a bit more initial bite.

We tested the ABS in heavy rain in the Western Ghats, and it worked well. All variants offer Rain and Urban modes. Urban mode is for regular dry roads, while Rain mode adjusts the ABS for wet, low-grip surfaces to help stop the wheels from locking up.

The Top variant gets a connected console, which pairs with TVS's app for navigation, call alerts, voice commands and ride stats. After September's update, it also gets traction control and a Type-C charger.

BikeDekho Says

The Ronin is a relaxed, good-looking, well-made city bike for someone moving up from a commuter, it does the job very well. TVS refreshed the range in September, so you're getting the updated version; meaning you won’t have to wonder if an update is due anytime soon. On top of that, the Ronin also comes in a wide range of colours, which makes it easier to pick.

Before you book, ride it once for yourself, and ask your dealer for festive offers, which could sweeten the deal.