TVS Apache RR 310 review: UK-bound A2 sport bike tested

Our test ride of the TVS Apache RR 310 took place in Bengaluru, a city where the gap between rich and poor feels as wide as the traffic jams that line its streets. If you need to get around here, it’s almost always on two wheels.

Most of those wheels are strapped to cheap and cheerful commuters or scooters, buzzing endlessly between the city’s chaos and calm. But things are changing.

There’s a growing demand among Indian riders for something with a bit more attitude, something that stands out from the sea of step-throughs. Something that looks and feels like the bikes we ride in the UK and Europe.

Enter TVS, and its range of premium “big bore” bikes. And yes, that’s “big bore” in the Indian sense, because in a nation ruled by 110 and 150cc machines, the TVS 310 range might as well be a brace of superbikes.

This wasn’t the most exhaustive test of TVS’s lineup, but a full day thrashing around a tight little kart track was enough to get a solid feel for what’s what. For this test, I focused on the Apache RR 310, which you can see here, and also got some sessions riding its naked sibling, the RTR 310. We spent a full day on the track, completing around five 15- to 20-minute sessions each time.

The electronics and equipment

This is where things start to get properly interesting. A full-colour TFT dash with smartphone connectivity takes centre stage, and the RR 310 packs more tech than you’d expect on a single-cylinder sport bike.

It features cornering ABS with three levels of intervention, including a mode that switches off the rear ABS entirely. There’s also lean-sensitive traction control, launch control, rear lift prevention, and even slope descent control for the ultimate tech enthusiast experience.

Full LED lighting, a slipper clutch, and an up-and-down quickshifter round out the package. Oh, and you even get a clear clutch cover, because why shouldn’t your bike show off a bit?

The ride

Even in October, southern India doesn’t mess around when it comes to heat. I’m talking sweat-in-your-eyes, ice-water-down-your-back, “don’t-take-your-lid-off-too-fast-or-you’ll-pass-out” hot. That was session one, but thankfully, TVS called lunch before any of us boiled over. By the afternoon, a thin layer of (probably) smog-filled cloud offered some much-needed relief from the heat, and the second session was a touch more comfortable.

The RR 310 might look like a track weapon, with its sharp bodywork, racy decals, and little winglets. But don’t be fooled, this is a bike that’s firmly focused on the road.

The engine is easily one of its strongest points. Single-cylinder sport bikes are always a balancing act, but the TVS unit feels far more refined than most. It loves to rev, happily chasing the limiter, yet still has enough torque to pull cleanly from low down. Sure, there are a few vibes — it’s a single, after all — but the ride-by-wire throttle feels beautifully calibrated, and the riding modes actually make a noticeable difference. Compared to the naked RTR 310 we also rode, the RR is tuned for top-end power, meaning it revs harder and faster and makes a tad more power than its naked sibling.

The quickshifter is a revelation too. It’s smooth, positive, and almost Honda-like in its precision, especially on downshifts. The gearbox as a whole is slick and direct, and that’s not something you can say about every A2 bike.

Out on the track, the little 310 feels eager and lively. It’s got just enough punch to make urban riding fun, and enough legs to hold its own out on faster, more flowing roads.

The handling

Like the engine, the chassis feels more road-focused than racetrack-ready. The base suspension setting is soft, with a fair amount of pitch when you’re heavy on the throttle or brakes. I had the TVS technicians crank up the preload on the rear shock to its maximum, and it transformed the riding experience  — keeping it from squatting and sharpening up its cornering feel, especially when turning in.

The ByBre brakes offer progressive stopping power, and a bit more initial bite wouldn’t go amiss for track or spirited road riding. Overall, though, it's about where it needs to be, and even on the polished asphalt of the go-kart track, the Bosch-sourced ABS isn’t too overzealous.

Overall, the RR 310 is fun and confidence-inspiring, but not razor-sharp. And that’s fine, because most buyers won’t be chasing lap times — they’ll be chasing smiles on the commute or the weekend ride. It’s entertaining, forgiving, and pitched nicely for the real world.

Comfort

You sit in the Apache RR 310 rather than on it. The bars are fairly high, the pegs are set back but not cramped, and the seat is genuinely plush, even after an hour in the saddle.

It’s not a long-haul tourer, but you can easily imagine spending a full day on it without too much discomfort. The pegs are quite low, meaning they deck out without too much trouble, but it should make it feel roomy in the legs for taller riders.

The tank is nicely sculpted, too, giving you solid points of contact when you hang off, and the ergonomics strike a fine balance between sporty and practical. Unless you’re built like a basketball player, you’ll feel right at home.

The verdict

Let’s be honest — this wasn’t a full, in-depth road test. I didn’t get to test the cruise control, didn’t crawl through rush-hour traffic, and barely clicked into fourth gear on that tiny kart circuit. But it was more than enough to see what the RR 310 is all about.

And the takeaway? It’s good. 

The suspension could do with a bit of firming up for UK roads, but if TVS brings the adjustable kit to the UK, that’ll be an easy fix. Handling-wise, it’s right where it should be for an A2 sport bike — light, approachable, entertaining, and easy on the eye.

The engine is punchy, the comfort is excellent, and the overall polish of the package is impressive. Yes, some riders will turn their nose up at an unfamiliar badge on the tank, but those willing to look past that are in for a pleasant surprise.

Pricing is key, though, and that could be a TVS trump card. Even the 20th Anniversary Edition of the RR 310 sells for the equivalent of around £2,600 in India. While we don’t expect it to be that cheap here, if TVS can undercut the £5,899 KTM RC 390 and the £6,799 Honda CBR500R, it could make serious waves in the UK market – especially for those riders who want all the kit and tech that you get charged extra for from most other bike brands.

For a first proper entry into the British A2 sport bike class, the TVS Apache RR 310 is a seriously strong start.

The specs