From Moth To Butterfly: How The TVS Apache RR 310 Grew Its Wings

It’s no secret that TVS has always been involved with motorsports for as long as we can remember. While the famed naked Apaches were excellent examples of how TVS implemented its learnings from the race track to production motorcycles, only a faired, track-friendly bike could do justice to the pursuit of sheer performance. Enter the Apache RR 310, a motorcycle that really put TVS on the world map when it comes to affordable performance bikes. Let’s have a look at how the Apache RR 310 grew from a humble moth to a beautiful butterfly and continues to spread its wings even today. 

The Birth Of A Supersport

It is the year 2017, TVS had just announced their partnership with the Bavarian two-wheeler manufacturer, BMW Motorrad.  The partnership was a bit poetic as the brand was coming to a full circle. Millennials would recall that it wasn’t the first time TVS had joined hands with an international brand. The Hosur-based manufacturer previously partnered with the Japanese giant, Suzuki. 

The previous tie-up gave us some legendary bikes in the form of Shaolin, Shogun and Samurai. So, the partnership with BMW Motorrad was something the Indian enthusiasts really looked up to with eyes filled with hopes and dreams. Lo and behold, TVS didn’t disappoint, and their first motorcycle as a result of their collaboration was none other than a supersport, the Apache RR 310.  

The Apache RR 310 was and still is a significant milestone for TVS as it was a bold move into the premium supersport segment. Back then, there was only one motorcycle in the single-cylinder 300-400cc supersport segment, the KTM RC390. The RC was a sharp track tool, with just one focus in its heart - beating lap times. On the other hand, TVS wanted to make sure with the Apache RR 310 that you can enjoy the bike on your daily commutes as much as you do on your way to the local race track (read highways) and on it. A holistic approach was important for the brand as it understood the common sentiment of Indian riders - the need for a one-bike garage. 

The first-gen Apache RR 310 had a 312cc single-cylinder reverse-inclined engine, which made 34PS and 27.3Nm. Yes, it was low on power in comparison to the KTM (43.5PS), but it made up with the features it offered and its usability. The console had much more information than the RC’s, and more importantly, the Apache RR 310’s heat management was a lot better than the KTM. This along with the super premium-looking design language and build quality really set the RR 310 apart. And the RR 310 only got better and more perfect with each iteration.

The Evolution Begins

One of the most common feedback the brand received after letting the journos belt the first-gen bike around the Madras Motor Race Track was that it could really do with a slipper clutch. Afterall, this is a motorcycle that’s capable of much higher speeds than any other production Apache, so it also had to slow down quickly, and in a controlled manner. Hence, the RR 310 was updated in 2019 with a slipper clutch and just a 2,600-odd-rupee premium over its predecessor.

Come 2020, all Indian manufacturers are scrambling to make their motorcycles compliant with the BS6 emission norms. TVS saw a perfect opportunity to update their halo bike so it re-tuned the engine and gave it more features than ever before. The result - a smoother engine and more features like ride-by-wire, multiple riding modes (segment-first) and a modern TFT screen with connectivity including turn-by-turn navigation and race telemetry. The customer’s complaints about vibrations and wind blast were noticed and worked upon.  

Just a year later, TVS also announced their BTO (Built To Order) Kit in India. This BTO program was unheard of in India, as for a fair premium, riders could customise their RR 310s straight from the factory. Modifications included the addition of a fully adjustable KYB fork and monoshock, anti-rust brass-coated chain, more tucked-in handlebars and rear-set footpegs, a special race livery and also a custom number decal on the fairings. These upgrades made the Apache RR 310 all the more involving to ride around the race track. 

An Ever-growing Avatar 

Fast forward to 2024, and TVS yet again updated the Apache RR 310. This time around, the bike made even more power and torque (from 34PS to 38PS, and 27Nm to 29Nm). The engine got even smoother, the bike received more features, a few of which were yet again segment first. 

Of course, there were some aesthetic changes too. The MotoGP bikes of that time started the craze of winglets on motorcycles - a concept unheard of until then. It slowly trickled down to production-spec litre-class bikes, and eventually into the aftermarket world, even furthering its accessibility. TVS paid heed to the call and came up with one that not only looked cool but was also functional at high speeds. Who would’ve imagined that a motorcycle priced under Rs 3 lakh could get winglets that were (more importantly) functional as well? It also received a transparent clutch cover that reminded us of an Italian brand *coughs Ducati* and looked very cool.  

TVS was not done, and in just six months’ time, with the implementation of new emission norms, TVS again saw the opportunity to make more upgrades in the Apache RR 310. It gave the RR 310 more features in the form of a launch control, cornering engine braking control (segment first), and a pair of brand-new 8-spoke alloy wheels. Which look quite good in our opinion. 

What The Future Holds

We suspect TVS is not finished with the Apache RR 310 yet. The bike is now faster, smoother, more tech-savvy and better looking than it has ever been. But as they say, “There is no replacement for displacement”, the KTM still makes more power than the Apache. This might just push TVS to make a more powerful and even more feature-rich version of the Apache RR 310. With the unveiling of the BMW F 450 GS, we also see a great opportunity for TVS to use the same 450cc parallel-twin engine in their future Apache RR 310 to make it better, if not, the best Apache to hit the streets yet. But only time will tell what TVS has planned from their bag of tricks for the famed Apache.