TVS Apache RR 310
Mode advanced than ever before, we take TVS’ flagship out on track
GOING TO THE RACETRACK IS ALWAYS AN exciting prospect. This time I had the opportunity to attend this first ride with my editor, Aspi Bhathena. Riding with him around the track and taking feedback after every session was insightful and helped me understand and further hone my skills on the racetrack and what better way to do that than on a fully faired sports motorcycle? One of TVS’ most potent offerings in the Indian market, the Apache RR 310, now gets a BS VI-compliant engine alongside a bunch of electronic updates. Developed in collaboration with BMW, the Apache RR 310 engine marked a significant milestone for TVS when the motorcycle was launched in December 2017. In March 2019, a silent update was rolled out for the motorcycle which included the addition of new bar-end weights, a new chain roller, and an aerodynamically improved front visor. This update led to an improvement in the vibration problems faced by various users and further improved how the motorcycle felt to ride. Then in May 2019, the bike received two minor updates: a race-tuned (RT) slipper clutch and a Phantom Black colour scheme. To make the update available to all, the existing RR 310 owners had the option to retrofit the RT slipper clutch on their motorcycles. The bike has surely come a long way since its launch and here is all you need to know about the Apache RR 310 in its latest avatar.
This year marks the transition from BS IV to BS VI-compliant engines and that was supposed to be the gist of this launch. In the process, TVS have given us the Apache RR 310 like never seen before. At first glance, the motorcycle is exactly similar to the previous model on the design front, but there is a lot more than meets the eye. Something that I really loved at first glance on the motorcycle is the addition of brand-new stock tyres. The RR 310 now gets a pair of Tubeless Michelin Road 5 tyres with a 110/70 at the front and a 150/60 at the rear. These tyres provided superior grip through every corner and induced
greater confidence. as we got carried away by the superb grip, reality thrust itself upon us when the foot-pegs started scraping in a few places mid-corner even though the feelers had been removed.
so, what else have tVs done that makes the rr 310 more aggressive and raceready than ever? the answer to that lies in the all-new electronics package. the new five-inch tFt screen takes the thrill to the next level with the amount of implications and connectivity it now has. tVs’ smartXonnect technology along with the new riding modes incorporated into the motorcycle makes it more engaging for a rider. the Bs Vi-compliant engine is the same 312.2-cc, singlecylinder, reverse inclined unit. But there are now four ride modes: rain, Urban, sport, and track. each one of these has been set up with different mappings so as to make the motorcycle safer and more exhilarating to ride. the track and sport modes are mapped to deliver 34 hp at 9,700 rpm and a peak torque of 27.3 nm at 7,700 rpm. these are the same power figures as the last model. the rain and Urban modes tone the bike down for city use, delivering 25.8 hp at 7,600 rpm and a peak torque of 25 nm at 6,700 rpm. along with a change in power delivery, every mode also changes how late or early the aBs kicks in. in the track mode, the aBs is least intrusive, while it is most intrusive in the rain mode.
the engine now feels very refined and smooth compared to that in the older model and now hardly any vibrations are felt in the handlebar or foot-pegs. of course, in my first session, i headed out of the pit-lane in the track mode. the rideby-wire throttle is a new feature that was immediately noticeable with the smooth way that it delivered power. twisting the throttle to exit corners felt very natural and did not disturb the stability of the bike even when i twisted the throttle hard. the track and sport modes deliver full power and comfortably allowed me to ride the
bike at higher rpm. claimed top speed in these modes is 160 km/h and i was comfortably able to do almost 150 km/h on the fastest straight of the circuit.
when it comes to handling, the bike still feels nimble and the chassis allows it to be flicked from one side to the other with ease and precision. the aBs is the least intrusive in these modes but i wish that there was an option to completely turn it off as the new tyres now complement the braking of the motorcycle with the grip they offer. the modes can be switched on the go by simply using one of the new control cubes and releasing the throttle.
the Urban and rain modes have a toned-down power delivery but this will prove to be perfect for street riding with the top speed being limited to about 125 km/h and the aBs being most intrusive. we got a chance to test the Urban and rain modes properly in wet conditions at an extended portion of the track. Braking hard in the wet at almost 80 km/h let the bike stop at ease and in a stable manner. this was also due to the fact that the road 5 tyres have treads specifically designed for wet conditions. not once that day did i have a moment where i was disturbed in terms of traction and that shows how much of a difference these tyres have made. My suggestion to all those who have the older model of the bike is to slap on a pair of these tyres to fully exploit the potential of the rr 310.
another new feature on the motorcycle is the glide thru technology Plus (gtt+) that we earlier saw on the Bs Vi-compliant apache rtr 160 4V and the rtr 200 4V. this technology worked perfectly by delivering torque at low speeds and kept a minimum speed of 11 km/h in first gear and 35 km/h in sixth gear with my
hand off the throttle. something that will really help us in city riding, right? the kerb weight of the motorcycle is now 174 kg, making it 4.5 kg heavier than its predecessor. the suspension set-up remains the same with an inverted cartridge telescopic fork up front and a monotube floating piston gas-assisted shock-absorber at the rear. For somebody who weighs 55 kg, the stock suspension set-up was up to the mark for me. however, my editor, who is a heavier rider, had to have the preload of the rear suspension stiffened after which he was comfortable riding the bike.
to sum up, the new tVs apache rr 310 is now priced at rs 2.40 lakh (exshowroom), making it about rs 15,000 more expensive than the older model. this is justifiable considering that the update is so much more than just a Bs-Vi engine. the apache rr 310 proved to be a precise track tool and this offering from tVs is great for a beginner looking to learn to ride on a racetrack. with the advanced connectivity, ride modes, and a refined Bs Vi-compliant engine, the bike is now easier, smoother, and more fun to ride. we look forward to testing the motorcycle on our streets to tell you all about how it fares in a detailed road test.