TVS Ronin Review In Images

After a long wait, TVS finally launched the Ronin on 6th July in Goa. We also took this bike for a spin on extremely wet Goan roads, to get a feel for this bike. While the Ronin is based on the Zeppelin R cruiser concept, it has morphed into something more complicated and convoluted, combining parts from a cruiser, roadster and scrambler. So here’s a review through images to help decipher this motorcycle.

There’s no doubt that this is a neo-retro bike, and the styling from the front definitely conveys this aspect. A classic round LED headlight with a massive tapered T shaped DRL, coupled with boomerang-shaped LED turn indicators and gold USDs add to the retro charm of the motorcycle. This is further complemented by the offset display pod, thus lending a scrambler cred.

The Ronin is powered by a 225.9cc air-oil-cooled, single-cylinder engine producing 20.40PS and 19.93Nm. This Apache RTR 200 4V derived mill is mated to a five-speed gearbox along with a slip and assist clutch. During our ride, we were delighted by the torquey nature of this peppy motor as it effortlessly held lower speeds in higher gears, making it a joy to ride in the city.

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TVS has left no stone unturned in loading the Ronin with features. For starters is a fully digital offset circular instrument pod, a typical feature on scrambler-styled bikes. This pod is equipped with TVS SmartXonnect Bluetooth connectivity, which provides various phone notifications and allows for accepting or rejecting incoming calls. Additionally, this pod also has turn-by-turn navigation, voice and ride assist and a USB charger. The ride assist provides alerts about the side stand, turn signal, phone battery and low fuel.

Underpinnings on this neo-retro bike include a gold 41mm Showa Big Piston USD fork and a monoshock, with discs at both ends for braking. It also comes equipped with dual channel ABS (only on the triple-tone variant) with two ABS modes: Urban and Rain. During our ride the brakes had good bite, although there was a lot of effort to be put at the lever for hard braking. The Ronin rolls on 17-inch alloys wrapped with 110-section and 130-section TVS Remora block-pattern tyres at the front and rear respectively.

Tipping the scales at 160kg (dual-channel ABS variant) the Ronin is much lighter than the bikes it competes against, like the Honda H’ness CB350. The seat height of 795mm is low enough to be very approachable and friendly to ride.

While the front looks to be designed by some of TVS’ best designers, the rear looks like it was designed by a couple of interns, especially the overly large fender and chain cover. The grab rail too seems like an afterthought thanks to its simple design. 

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Prices for the Ronin start from Rs 1,49,000 and Rs 1,56,500 for the single tone variant and dual-tone variant respectively, both these variants featuring single-channel ABS. The top-of-the-line dual-channel ABS, triple-tone variant retails at Rs 1,68,750 (all prices ex-showroom Delhi).