TVS Apache RR 310 Long Term Review – Second Report

Intriguing as it may seem, the TVS Apache RR 310 portrays itself as a big bike

The instrument cluster was the most pleasing yet annoying part of the motorcycle. Pleasing because the details were very accurate. The range, the mileage, distance to empty, everything so so exact and the cluster would just look brilliant. It got annoying at times as switching through the details had to be done on standstill as a safety measure. But once you passed a particular detail, you would have to complete the whole cycle and come back again. The hazard light switch also came in handy a lot of times and the Apache is the only bike to get it among the 310 siblings.

The brakes and tyres have been very impressive from the start and as I had said, the Michelin rubber has a very good life. With my kind of riding, if the Apache had Metzelers, it would have been time for a replacement but the Michelins did not lose much tread. However, the braking performance reduced as the brakes started making some squeaking noise. By the end of the term, it was time for a brake pad replacement at the front. However, this can be on the rider as 90% of the time I used to brake using only the front. But then as the weather got colder, tyres and brakes had to be warmed up more often.

Straight-line stability and holding the line in corners, the TVS Apache RR 310 is capable to do it all

Pushing the bike to the redline from the get-go gives an adrenaline rush but the engine is more suited to cruising duties. The reverse-inclined engine has a sweet spot close to 6000 RPM. It is exactly where the Apache cruises at 105 km/hr and then it also has enough grunt to pull ahead. But the small fuel tank doesn’t help much, although I know a lot of guys have picked up the Apache solely for cruising. Some say, it takes about 21 days to get along and 90 days to make it a habit. Well in the last 3 months, I had started liking the Apache so much that I knew at exactly what RPM the exhaust note would be the best.

As we were close to the end of the term, BMW gave us the G 310 R and also the G 310 GS for a road test. But as we do at MotorBeam, we compare motorcycle so we spent two days with the BMW G 310 R and KTM Duke 390. Déjà vu happened, we did not include the Apache in the comparison but it turned out to be the best of both worlds. Hardware from the BMW while the looks from the Akula design and priced cheaper than the Duke 390. Then came the time we took the GS and went off-road. Although the GS is known for its dual-purpose capabilities, we did a comparison with the Himalayan. The GS felt home on the tarmac while the Himalayan is made for off-road. When I returned the GS, I had to get back home on the Apache. I just could not believe, except for the vibrations, how nimble and powerful the Apache felt on the tarmac. I realised at that moment, I am actually going to miss the Apache more than I could have thought of.

What’s Cool

* Illumination from the BI-LED projectors is brilliant
* The reverse-inclined engine has loads of torque in the mid-range
* Ergonomics and the dynamics are well suited for Indian roads

What’s Not So Cool

* Clinging noise and vibrations are present
* Not the best for city duties and filtering through traffic
* Pillion comfort isn’t much while it’s a similar case for the rider

Testers’ Note:

Further Reading –

TVS Apache RR 310 Video Review
TVS Apache RR 310 Review
TVS Apache RR 310 Spare Parts Price
TVS Apache RR 310 Long Term – First Report