The TVS Apache RTX 300 marked TVS’s entry into the adventure touring segment with an all-new 299cc single-cylinder engine. Following an initial review up in the mountains, we got to carry out a full road test in Mumbai, revealing how this motorcycle performs in city traffic and on the highway. If you’re considering buying one, here are three positive points and a couple of drawbacks.
Reasons to buy the TVS Apache RTX 300
Disruptive pricing across all variants
One of the strongest cards the Apache RTX 300 plays is with its pricing strategy. The base bike, at Rs 1.99 lakh, is an exceptionally good deal by itself, costing about as little as a 350cc Royal Enfield. You’ll pay about Rs 15,000 more for the mid-spec variant, which is worth the additional features you get. Even the top BTO variant, at Rs 2.29 lakh, costs less than a KTM 250 Adventure and provides exceptional value. During our time with the bike, we found that the RTX shines not just because of its aggressive price but because it’s a very nice bike even when the price isn’t under consideration.
Impressive design and build quality
Another significant thing the RTX has going for it is how big it looks. Its proportions and stance give it an imposing road presence, and the overall fit and finish surpass expectations for the price point. The feature set is equally impressive with cruise control, riding modes, a TFT display, traction control, and switchable ABS as standard. The mid-spec variant brings in a powerful LED headlamp, Bluetooth, screen mirroring and a bi-directional quickshifter. The top BTO variant adds a brass-coated chain, adjustable suspension and tyre-pressure monitoring.
Outstanding comfort and handling
The RTX uses a brand-new trellis frame with a cast aluminium subframe, and we found that the bike feels light and very well balanced to ride. The steering feels light, and it’s happy to lean over, resulting in a bike that feels easy to manage in the city while still being superbly fun to ride on fast winding roads or at highway speeds. The riding position is upright, spacious and comfortable, and the seats are comfy and supportive. Plus, the WP-branded Endurance suspension soaks up bad roads and even reasonably high jumps off-road remarkably well.
Reasons not to buy the TVS Apache RTX 300
Tall seat height
The 835mm seat height will be a challenge for less experienced riders under around 5’8” tall. While the riding position is comfortable and the seats are supportive, the tall perch limits accessibility and will make the bike feel intimidating for shorter riders. This is a genuine concern that could rule out the RTX for a significant portion of potential buyers despite all its other strong points.
Occasional quickshifter issues
The bi-directional quickshifter available on the mid-spec and top variants does its job well with smooth upshifts and downshifts most of the time. However, it can sometimes be oversensitive and cause a momentary, abrupt hesitation in acceleration. This disrupts the riding experience when it happens and is something TVS needs to refine in future updates.