TVS Apache RTX First Ride Review
Better late than never. That's the line that kept running through my head as I swung a leg over the all-new TVS Apache RTX 300. For a company that's been steadily building performance cred through the Apache RR310 and RTR series, it was only a matter of time before they turned their focus to the fast-growing ADV segment. Especially considering their decades-old history in motorcycle rallying that continues to this very day. And now, in 2025, finally, we have a TVS motorcycle aimed squarely at the touring and trail-loving audience. So, has it been worth the wait? Well, I spent a much of a day in Himachal Pradesh - on-road, off-road, uphill, downhill - to find out.
Design & Features:
The Apache RTX isn't just an RTR or RR with long legs. Nope, this thing is built from the ground up. Sure, the suspension hardware is shared, but the steel trellis frame, aluminium subframe, and that all-new 299cc engine are unique to the RTX.
The design? Purposeful and not overdone. My eyes saw some nods towards the Tiger, Tiger sport and even some hints of GS in there as well, but it's got enough about it to make it uniquely attractive. It's like the signature Apache aggression, but toned down with more function-driven aesthetics. The tank extensions look properly meaty, and give the RTX a rather 'big bike' look while the windscreen is just tall enough to be useful, and the build quality? Top notch. There's a clear emphasis on fit-and-finish, and for a motorcycle that starts under Rs 2 lakh, TVS has done a bang-on job.
Tech?wise the RTX?300 is a commendable leap for TVS into the adventure?touring game. At its heart is the all?new 299cc single?cylinder DOHC liquid?cooled RT?XD4 engine. It's the same motor that the company unveiled at its MotoSoul event in Goa last year. The engine comes paired to a six?speed gearbox with an assist & slipper clutch (and bi?directional quick?shifter in the higher spec models) to keep the shifts clean when you're hustling through terrain. On the electronics front the setup is seriously feature?rich: a 5?inch full?colour TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, map?mirroring, GoPro control, TPMS (tyre?pressure monitoring), cruise control and a suite of ride aids. You get four riding modes (Urban, Rain, Tour and Rally) which tweak throttle response, traction control, ABS intervention and so on - essential when you want one bike to do city, highway and light off?road duty. The chassis hardware matches the ambition: steel trellis frame, aluminium sub?frame, long?travel WP upside?down front forks and a mono?tube rear shock.
Finally, the suite of trail?ready touches (luggage mounts, adjustable levers, full LED lighting, rally stance) means TVS haven't just slapped adventure panels, colours and graphics onto an existing bike - this is a ground?up attempt at a proper ADV.
Performance:
Let's talk numbers first. The 299cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine puts out 36PS and 28.5Nm, mated to a slick 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch. On paper, it's right where you'd expect a 300cc ADV to be. In the real world, it's a bit of a mixed bag.
Below 4,000rpm, the engine feels lazy. But there's enough torque for chugging along trails and up inclines, but if you're expecting a mighty low-end punch, it's not quite there. But I think it's a lot better than the KTM 250 Adventure because it's got more low-end grunt and isn't prone to stalling at slow speeds like the orange Austrian. That said, once you're above that 4,000revs, it wakes up - smooth, linear and surprisingly refined. There's a bit but not as much of that buzzy character from the older 312cc motor motor, which is a big win. There's a lot of tech gone into this new 299cc DOHC engine which employs a dual oil pump with split chamber crankcase and it also gets dual jacket cooling (water jacket for the cylinder head and an oil jacket below).
However, there's a small hiccup when you're aggressive on the throttle. During hard overtakes or quick gear changes, there's a momentary lag - a fuelling issue that feels like the engine's trying to catch its breath. I'd noticed this on smooth patches of road as well as when we hit some off-road trails. Although this could lead to some unnecessary stressed out moments, it's not a dealbreaker, but definitely something TVS needs to iron out.
Ride & Handling
TVS knows how to build a chassis, and the RTX is no exception. The suspension setup - 41mm USD inverted cartridge forks (WP) and a monoshock - is well-tuned for dual-purpose use. The BTO variant I rode came with adjustable suspension at both ends, and boy does that make a difference.
I tightened things up on the tarmac and softened them out when we hit loose gravel and broken trails. The result? A ride that's supple without being soggy, and stable without being stiff. The 200mm ground clearance is decent, and the 180mm travel at both ends gives it just enough cushion for mild off-road use. And if you're wondering about the durability of that chunky looking bashplate, sadly I didn't bottom out hard to test the stock unit. The Eurogrip tyres on there are great on dry and rubble or loose surfaces, and did very nicely on the rutted public access roads, but they appeared to lose composure over slush.
At 180kg, the RTX doesn't feel light, but it's well balanced. The wide handlebar, narrow seat midsection, and upright ergos make it easy to stand up and ride - something I ended up doing for most of the off-road sections. And although it would have liked some risers on the bar, it felt very easy to get used to changing direction and navigating through trails at a moderate pace.
Comfort & Capability
The seat height is 835mm, which isn't beginner-friendly territory, but not intimidating either. At 5'9", I had to tip-toe a bit, but once you're on, the seat itself is comfy and spacious. The riding triangle is spot on - long rides shouldn't be a problem.
The rider seat is generous, the handlebars are wide, and the footpeg position is neutral, making this a proper mile-muncher. There's a lot of room to move about the seat and get comfy, which is great. The narrow mid-section makes standing up and riding feel good and there's more than enough space to get a grip of the bike with your legs. Pillion comfort is TBD - we didn't get time to test it with a passenger - but as a solo tourer, it checks a lot of boxes.
The RTX also gets four riding modes - Urban, Rain, Tour, and Rally - that tweak throttle response, traction control and ABS levels. Rally mode turns off some of the nanny aids like traction control and ABS at the rear while giving you the best response to twisting the ride-by-wire throttle, which I used for most of our ride out here. Throttle response is decent across the board, but again, that slight hiccup during hard acceleration is something to be aware of.
Value for Money
This might be the RTX's strongest card. At an introductory price of Rs 1.99 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base variant, and Rs 2.30 lakh for the fully-loaded BTO version, you're getting a lot:
· Adjustable suspension
· Ride modes with traction control & switchable ABS
· Slipper clutch
· Bluetooth connectivity
· Brass-coated chain (yes, it's a thing)
· Good quality plastics and paint
· Proper touring ergonomics
So for Rs 30,000 extra, the BTO variant is an absolute no-brainer if you want the best this platform has to offer.
Who Should Buy the RTX?
If you're new to the ADV scene or want a bike that can tour all day and occasionally hit a trail without making you sweat, the TVS Apache RTX 300 is worth a serious look. It's not a built-for-war hardcore off-roader like the Xpulse 210 Rally, but it finds a sweet middle ground. It's got tech, comfort, composure, and just enough spice to keep things fun.
However, if you're the kind of rider who demands instant throttle response and plans to live on rocky trails, you might find the RTX a bit too calm. But for most riders stepping into the 300cc adventure space, this could be a very solid starting point.
Yes, TVS took their sweet time, but in true TVS fashion, they've delivered a well-rounded machine that feels thought through. A few rough edges? Sure. But nothing that can't be polished with a few adjustments, updates and some community feedback. TVS tell us that the RTX is the first of its kind with this platform and engine, with more bikes to come from this point. They're also working on an off-road training programme for patrons, which I think is a brilliant plan, following the success of their track riding/training programmes. Seeing as they're off to an impressive start with this one, it'll be very interesting to see where they go from here.