23/06/2023
Apache RR 310
The TVS Apache RR 310 is certainly one of our most favourite motorcycles currently on sale in India, if for nothing else than just the sheer flexibility it offers - a great everyday commuter, good tourer and tonnes of fun on the track
* Ride-by-wire and four rider modes allow adjustability in power delivery and ABS intervention.
* Super grippy Michelin Road 5 rubber inspires great confidence in all weather conditions.
* Despite being first launched back in 2017, it still manages to look just as stunning.
Design and Features
“Is this an imported bike?” many passersby asked when we first took the RR 310 out on to the streets in 2018. The same level of excitement (and even a little bit of lust) still remains when you lay eyes on the supersport. The shark-inspired design sees no changes in 2020 retaining the bi-LED projector headlamps and ‘snake fangs’ tail light.
The gloss black/matte grey colour option looks rather handsome, with just a little bit of red sprinkled in the mix in the form of its exposed trellis frame. The paint finish, especially the metallic flake-ish bits of the matte grey panels, is top drawer. My personal choice though remains the Racing Red colour scheme with its white racing stripe down the centre of the bike.
Performance outputs from the BMW-engineered 312cc motor remain the same. And with the inclusion of ride-by-wire and rider modes, the fuelling has become more precise.
The TVS Apache RR 310 is one of the sweetest handling machines in the affordable performance segment. It is sharp and predictable, with enough poise not to scare you witless, like maybe the RC 390. If you are stepping up from the Yamaha R15 v3 or even the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V, you will appreciate its friendly demeanour. In the real world, the RR 310 soaks in mid-corner bumps, allowing you to carry your lines through corners with little to no adjustment. And if you have to make any adjustments, its quick steering allows you to dodge around potholes that just crept up on your favourite set of twisties.
Not only is it one of the best educational tools for sport riding but also an equally capable commuting companion. The raised clip-ons don’t force you to put your entire body weight onto your wrists, allowing enough leverage and room to move your upper body to slip past slow moving traffic. Speed humps and road imperfections are dealt with ease. The ride is rarely unsettled, even when going over sharp bumps with slight gusto. And you needn’t worry about scraping its belly either, the 180mm ground clearance is pretty good for a supersport.
TVS has to be commended with its choice of rubber for the new RR 310. The company claims it is the first bike in the world to get Michelin Road 5 rubber as standard. The new tyres are a marked improvement over the old Pilot Sports, which failed to inspire much confidence and were easily fazed when going through standing water. Michelin claims the new tyres dispel water much efficiently. They provide great cornering feedback and even when there was a bit of washed over dirt on the roads, they showed little to no signs of letting traction go.
But when you do run these tyres into the ground, the replacement tyres will not be available at TVS service centres. You will have to contact a Michelin dealer in your city and avail of the same tyres which retail for Rs 4,800/Rs 6,800 (front/rear). The pricing is on par with the Metzeler Sportec M5 H-rated rubber (Rs 12,500 for a pair) that is found on the RC 390 and 390 Duke but these particular set of German tyres aren’t as grippy as their French counterparts.
Braking test BS6 TVS Apache RR 310
80-0kmph 31.44m
60-0kmph 16.90m
The braking test reveals a dramatic improvement in braking distances. The new RR 310 stops almost 6m earlier from 80kmph, which could be pivotal in panic braking situations. On the whole, the Apache RR 310 feels a lot more sure-footed when coming to a halt, and that’s mostly down to the new tyres. Again no changes to report on the hardware front here. ABS intervention levels are synced to the rider mode you are in with Track allowing for least intervention and Rain the most. There is a bit of scope for improvement here as brake lever feedback is almost absent. It doesn’t feel wooden but a bit of feedback would have been appreciated.
Safety and Features
One of the biggest changes on the BS6 Apache RR 310 is the small but useful suite of electronic aids. TVS has introduced ride-by-wire, giving birth to four rider modes: Rain, Urban, Sport and Track. Each one of these modes has its own dedicated throttle response, torque map and ABS calibration. You can toggle through the modes by simply shutting the throttle and pressing the up button on the new control cube.
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