TVS Apache RR 310

Even though the design has remained more or less the same in over five years, the TVS Apache RR 310 still manages to turn heads. The bi-LED projector headlights coupled with the muscular fairing give it a big bike appeal. The Titanium Black colour option is a neat looker, with just a little bit of red thrown in here and there, along with an exposed red trellis frame. The paint finish quality is high, particularly the metallic flake-like bits of the matte grey panels. The red colour looks pretty fantastic thanks to the white racing stripe down the centre of the bike.

TVS has slightly tweaked the mounting of the windshield, eliminating the chattering sound by a considerable extent. TVS also offered to fix the windshield vibration chatter issue with existing owners with thick rubber piping for vibration damping. In the latest iteration, the windshield gets four dedicated bolts, and they are not directly linked to the fairing. This is how TVS was able to reduce windshield vibrations in the Apache RR 310.

Thanks to the inclusion of ride-by-wire, the fuelling is more precise than before. Even the slight increase in weight (compared to the BS4 bike) is hardly noticeable. Most of the power lies between 3000rpm and 7000rpm. At 6000rpm, you can happily cruise at 100kmph on sixth gear. Add 1000rpm more and you’ll reach 120kmph in no time. That said, it does feel a little buzzy post 6,000rpm, but they’re not that bothersome.

Urban riding mode is well-suited for the city thanks to the better low-end grunt. While the RR 310 can’t carry really slow speeds in high gears comfortably, a small difference is felt when one tries doing so in different modes. That’s because the Urban riding mode ensures better torque response lower down the rev range, making low-speed riding in higher gears slightly more manageable than Sport or Track mode. As far as the Apache RR 310 mileage is concerned, it returned 33.1kmpl in the city and 34.45kmpl on the highway in our real-world mileage test. That said, these are ideal numbers that one can get if ridden in a diligent manner. The mileage will drop further if ridden more aggressively. Technically, one can cover around 330-350km on a single tank, which isn’t all that bad at all.

One of the sweetest handling bikes in the affordable performance segment is the Apache RR 310. Its handling is sharp yet predictable enough to not scare the rider, perhaps even close to the KTM RC 390. Its friendly character will be appreciated by those upgrading from the Yamaha R15 V3 or even the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V. Out on the streets, the RR 310 is able to easily dampen mid-corner bumps, thus allowing the rider to carry their lines through twisties with barely any adjustment. Even if you have to make corrections, the quick steering helps in doing so.

Thanks to the raised clip-on handlebars, the body weight isn’t felt on the wrists all that much. This allows ample leverage and room to move the upper body to snake through slow-moving traffic. The Apache RR 310 easily dals with bad road patches and speed bumps, and it doesn’t feel unsettling even while going over sharp bumps at speed. Moreover, with a 180mm ground clearance, this supersport can also go over humps without scraping the underside.

The new Michelin Road 5 tyres are considerably better than the older Michelin Pilot Sport, and Michelin also claims the tyres cut through water (read wet roads) well. The feedback while cornering is also great even on slightly dirty roads.

The updated RR 310 offers better braking performance over the BS4-compliant one. All in all, the braking feels confidence-inspiring. That said, the lever feedback could be better.

The riding posture of the Apache RR 310 strikes a right balance between sportiness and comfort as the clip-on handlebars are slightly raised and the footpegs are slightly rear-set. The 810mm tall seat is easy to manage as the mid-section is pretty slim, allowing shorter riders to keep their feet down easily. The seat even has room for heftier riders, allowing them to go touring effortlessly. 

Those who want an even more aggressive riding stance or for track days, can opt for the optional Race Kit offered under the Built To Order (BTO) programme. This includes lowered handlebars, knurled and raised footpegs, allowing you to attack corners with greater confidence.

The TVS Apache RR 310 comes with four rider modes: Rain, Urban, Sport, and Track. Every mode comes with its own dedicated throttle map and ABS calibration, and these modes can be toggled simply by closing the throttle and pressing the ‘Up’ button on the left switchcube.

The 5-inch vertically stacked TFT colour instrument cluster is equipped with TVS’ SmartXonnect Bluetooth module, call and SMS alerts, and turn-by-turn navigation. Also, every riding mode comes with a dedicated screen layout with dark and bright options that can either be changed manually or automatically depending on the time of day. The layout is neat and the information is legible as well. That said, shorter riders might not be able to view the turn-by-turn navigation section on the dash clearly. It also uses the phone’s accelerometer and displays ride-related data including G-forces and lean angles.

The TVS Apache RR 310 ticks all the right boxes for a variety of riders. You can commute on this performance-packed machine with ease, enjoy a ride up the hills on a weekend, even ride all the way to Chennai or Coimbator for a track session and then tour back to your city. All in all, if you’re looking for an all-rounder, the RR 310 is a perfect choice, especially for its price tag. 

The new RR 310 offers something for everybody, right from someone who is jumping onto a sub-400cc bike for the first time to a seasoned rider who has honed his or her skills for years. Want a power-packed commuter? Check. Want to ride down to Chennai or Coimbatore for a track day? Check. Enjoy a weekend full of cornering fun? Check. It is also more likeable and more fun with the new updates. This is how the Apache RR 310 should’ve been right from the beginning.