The TVS Apache is one of the most popular model lineups among enthusiasts in India and many other parts of the world. When it first launched back in 2005, it signaled that TVS wasn’t just content building commuters anymore. It wanted to play in the performance space. Over time, the Apache lineup grew into a family of machines that blended racing DNA with everyday usability.
The RTR models catered to street riders looking for punchy power and sharp handling, while the RR 310 proved that a homegrown brand could build a sportbike with real global appeal. Two decades later, the Apache badge has become a symbol of TVS engineering confidence and racing credibility.
Part of that evolution came from an unlikely partnership. TVS and BMW Motorrad teamed up to co-develop a 312cc platform that would underpin both the Apache RR 310 and BMW’s G 310 range. The result was a lineup of siblings that shared the same basic engine and chassis but wore very different personalities. BMW’s side of the family produced the G 310 R naked bike, the G 310 RR sportbike, and the G 310 GS adventure model.
On TVS’s side, the RR 310 mirrored the sport version, the RTR 310 took on the naked streetfighter role, and now, with the launch of the Apache RTX 300, the circle is complete. Think of it as TVS’s interpretation of the G 310 GS, a road-biased adventure machine built with the same DNA but refined in a uniquely TVS way.
During a recent trip to India, I had the chance to ride both the Apache RR and RTR on the track, and they were among the most enjoyable small-displacement sportbikes I’ve ever tried. The RR, in particular, feels composed yet eager, rewarding smooth inputs and letting you carry plenty of corner speed without fear of overstepping its limits. The RTR, meanwhile, is every bit the agile streetfighter it claims to be: flickable, grunty, and surprisingly forgiving when you push it hard.
What impressed me most, though, was how confidence-inspiring both bikes felt. The rider aids, including traction control and ride modes, work seamlessly in the background, helping you focus more on the flow of the track than on what might go wrong. I’m genuinely curious to see how these systems translate to an entry-level adventure platform like the RTX, where balance and throttle control can make or break the riding experience on loose terrain.
Now, it's important to note here that the RTX 300 might look like it belongs to the same family, but it doesn’t share the exact engine as the RR and RTR 310.
Instead, it debuts TVS’s new RT-XD4 powerplant, a 299.1cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine built specifically for this bike. It’s tuned a bit differently, prioritizing torque and smooth power delivery over outright peak performance. Output sits at around 36 horsepower and 21 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed gearbox that includes an assist and slipper clutch plus an up and down quickshifter. The reasoning behind the new engine is clear: adventure and touring riders value tractability, cooling efficiency, and long-distance comfort more than razor-sharp throttle response, and TVS wanted to build a powerplant optimized for those traits.
The engine sits in a trellis frame suspended by WP upside-down forks up front and a monoshock at the rear. Braking is handled by discs on both ends with dual-channel ABS, while the alloy wheels and tires are tuned more for long-distance touring than for hardcore trail work (contrary to what the promo video suggests).
But what really sets the RTX apart is its feature list. TVS has packed it with technology you usually don’t find in bikes this size. There are four riding modes consisting of Urban, Rain, Tour, and Rally. Each mode adjusts throttle and traction response. It has cruise control, ride-by-wire throttle, and even a wheelie control system. The five-inch TFT display supports Bluetooth, map mirroring, and full Google Maps integration through the TVS SmartXonnect app, along with call and text alerts, ride analytics, and GoPro control. These are the kind of touches you’d expect from premium European brands, not from a middleweight single priced under Rs 200,000 (around $2,400).
That’s where the RTX’s charm lies. TVS didn’t build it to conquer the Dakar or compete with large-displacement adventure bikes. Instead, it built something that feels aspirational yet attainable. It’s a bike that looks ready for adventure, is plenty practical on the street, and offers modern tech to match its style. For riders who want an affordable tourer that feels a step above its peers, the RTX 300 shows us just how far TVS has come.
Source: TVS Motor Company
