TVS Apache RTX 300 vs KTM 250 Adventure: Here’s The Perfect 1st ADV For You

The TVS Apache RTX 300 was one of the most awaited bikes of late for us and TVS impressed us massively with its value for money price tag. And when it finally came to us, the KTM 250 Adventure was already here, waiting to take on TVS’ first ever production adventure bike. So now let’s put both the sub-300cc adventure bikes against one another and see which is the bike that you should splurge your hard-earned money on: 

Price & Variants

• There’s one very clear winner here and that’s the TVS Apache RTX 300. The Rs 1.99 lakh price tag for the base variant is stunning value for money for what is a 300cc adventure bike. Even if you go for the top BTO (Built to Order) variant, you’re still saving more than Rs 7,000 over the KTM 250 Adventure. And then you have a bike that has adjustable suspension at both ends, a brass-coated chain, a quickshifter as well as a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. 

• The Apache RTX 300 also has some lovely colour schemes on offer. The Pearl White looks gorgeous and if you like your bikes a bit more loud and attractive, the Metallic Blue colour scheme will impress you. It makes the RTX 300 look like a big, expensive bike. 

• The KTM 250s, be it the 250 Duke or the 250 Adventure, have always been slightly expensive bikes and it’s the same with this generation of the bikes as well. A Rs 2.42 lakh price tag means it’s even more expensive than a bunch of 400cc bikes! 

Dimensions & Design 

• There’s not much of a difference here and both the RTX 300 and the 250 Adventure are accessible motorcycles. Experienced or not, most people will be able to get on either bike and have a good ride. 

• While their seat heights sound a bit high on paper (835mm on the RTX 300 and 825mm on the 250 Adventure), they’re both narrow motorcycles so putting your feet on the ground will not be as big of a task as it may sound on paper. 

• The RTX300 weighs 180kg, whereas the 250 Adventure tips the scales at 176kg (both kerb). Both bikes are light on paper, and feel even lighter on the road. So maneuvering them through tight city traffic in sticky conditions is also quite easy. So we can call it a tie here. 

Features & Safety

• The 250 Adventure gets a quickshifter as standard and that’s the only place it has any sort of bragging rights over the RTX 300. The KTM quickshifter is a really good one, albeit a little bit sensitive and you will have to be very careful about not resting your feet near the quickshifter, for that might make things a bit jerky or maybe even induce a misshift. 

• Of late, TVS bikes have been loaded to the T with features and the RTX 300 is no different. Above the 250 Adventure, it has extra riding modes as well as cruise control as standard. If you intend to tour, cruise control can be a lovely addition to any bike. 

• While the Apache RTX 300 doesn’t get a quickshifter as standard, you’ve to pay just Rs 15,000 for it. That TVS quickshifter is excellent, especially for beginners. So if you’ve never used one before, you might feel a bit more comfortable with this one. 

• On the whole though, both bikes are quite feature-loaded. They’ve the bits you’d associate from a modern bike and none will disappoint you. 

Engines

• The engines are another place where both the bikes feel quite similar to ride. They’re both relatively smooth, easy going engines, ones that don’t demand a lot from the riders. Shift it in 3rd gear and you can ride around town easily without breaking a sweat. 

• Wind them up and both can hold a steady 100kmph out on the highway without much stress. 

• That said, this very gentleness of both bikes can come across as slightly boring too. If you’re the kind who wants their bikes a bit rowdy and wild, none of the 2 will really impress you. If you’re chasing outright performance, you might want to upgrade to a 400cc instead. 

Verdict 

The TVS Apache RTX 300 and the KTM 250 Adventure are 2 good, easy going entry-level adventure bikes and both do that part of the job quite well. But the 250 Adventure’s high price is what will push a lot of people away from it. At Rs 2.42 lakh, you can get a whole bunch of 400cc bikes, so spending that much money for a 250cc bike might not make sense to everyone. 

Meanwhile, the RTX 300’s biggest strength is its price. It’s affordable to buy, is easy to ride and still plenty capable to take on a nice road trip across your state. If a nice 1st adventure bike is what you’re looking for, the TVS Apache RTX 300 definitely wins the battle against the KTM 250 Adventure.

Comparisons With Other Rivals:

• For riders looking for a balanced adventure bike, the RTX feels like the more complete package compared to the Yezdi.
• If you want more power and tech in your ADV, the RTX clearly stands out against the V-Storm.
• The XPulse 210 is priced lower than the RTX, making it more accessible to budget buyers.
• In terms of value-for-money, the RTX delivers more features than the Versys 300, that too at a lower price point.
• When comparing the RTX and Dominar, the Bajaj clearly wins in outright power.
• Compared to the Ultraviolette X-47 base variant, the TVS RTX offers more features.
• Both the RTX and NX200 are practical bikes, but the Honda feels lighter and easier to manage in city traffic.
• We have also listed and explained about other bikes and scooters for about the same price as the RTX300.