TVS Apache RR310
Digital display Yes | Tachometer Yes | Fuel gauge Yes | Electric start Yes | Disc brakes F/R | Tyres tubeless | ARAI Efficiency NA Price Rs 2.05 lakh (ex- Delhi) Warranty 2 years/ 40,000km
Last month, I gave you a glimpse of how capable the alpha Apache is when the throttle is opened, its frantic character and how it all fits on the road. This time, I’m going to focus on the stoppers. The RR 310 gets a set of 300mm front and 240mm rear discs. TVS has been known to use petal discs both for its increased surface area and better heat dissipation apart from the fact that they look good too.
In the city, a substantial amount of time is spent operating the brakes, right from its obvious purpose of slowing speeds down to hard uses called by that sudden pothole or a random jaywalker. The RR 310 uses long levers that offer better leverage but the absence of reach adjustability may be a cause of concern as it’s placed further away at the far end of the handlebar. That aside, the Bybre brakes don’t show signs of fading even after repeated use in heavy traffic. Considering the high ambient temperatures, I was expecting fade but the steel braided brake line ensures optimal hydraulic pressure. That’s the front while the rear brake leaver is perfectly positioned, it’s operability isn’t as nice.
The track is where its use can be negligible but in the city, it comes in handy to increase braking effectiveness as well as correcting lines say, around a long cloverleaf that tightens at the exit. The ABS sensor is too sensitive and kicks in at the slightest hint of increased brake pressure. It has in fact, been a tad scary as the action always manages to startle me. It would’ve been ideal if the pressure sensitivity could be reduced to get a better feel of the bite and traction of the rear tyre.