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image credits: bikewale

In the beginning

The Apache RTX 300 is the very first adventure motorcycle that TVS has ever produced.

It comes with some delectable cycle parts in addition to being powered by a brand new engine that is included in sale.

In Shimla  we were able to receive our first taste of the motorcycle  nevertheless  the route that we took and the amount of time that we spent with it were not sufficient to get to know it fully.

So  we purchased one in Mumbai  and after putting more than 1 500 kilometres on it  commuting  touring

 and experiencing a wide variety of roads  ranging from broken and wavy tarmac to gravel trails and fast  flowing  well paved switchbacks  

we finally have a clear image of what this 300cc ADV does well and where it falls short.

The condensed version is shown here.

 
What Is Excellent

In a positive perspective  the first things that catch you off guard about the bike are its small weight and that it has a decent balance.

You will never have a feeling of intimidation  regardless of whether you are navigating through city traffic or going through technical parts that are slippery.

The ergonomics has a significant impact on the ease of use that is experienced.

Everything comes into place without any effort being required  the upright posture  

the broad and comfy seat  the neutral footpeg position  and the handlebar that meets your hands without any effort being required.

At a height of 5 feet 8 inches  the ability to flat foot gives an additional degree of assurance.

The adjustable suspension is another feature that left a significant impression on me.

With its location in the middle  it does not experience any jolts or unexpected kickbacks  it simply goes on with the job.

It gives the impression of being a well engineered setup.

The handling  which is significantly more agile than its tyre sizes suggest  is enhanced by this particular aspect.

In addition to providing information that boosts confidence  it allows you to change direction with a light touch  tips into corners without causing any drama  and holds a line without causing any kind of interruption.

Strong bite  superb modulation  and predictable stopping power are all features that are offered by the brake arrangement  which maintains the theme of competence mentioned before.

Even the new engine has its own unique personality.

 At 2 000 revolutions per minute  it pulls neatly  it has a powerful mid range  and it maintains a vibrant atmosphere towards the top without making it feel frenetic.

 It is also possible to hear a bit of a furious growl coming from the exhaust note  which makes it more interesting than you would anticipate from a 300.

Although the quick shifter for the six speed gearbox functions faultlessly  the smoothness of its downshifts was the aspect that pleased me the most.

 Furthermore  it blips flawlessly between downshifts  which makes the riding experience even more enjoyable.

The final aspect to consider is how it appears. The bike has a visual and physical appearance that betrays its capabilities when taken into consideration in person.

That seems to be a good size. Furthermore  the overall quality of the bike  as well as its fit and finish  are of a high standard. As a result  the bike appears to be more expensive than it actually is.

What Is Not So Excellent

It is not devoid of edges that are harsh. The vibration that begins to become visible at 5 000 revolutions per minute is the most noticeable disadvantage.

Although it is not the kind that gets progressively worse as the revs increase  I did experience some tingling in my hands after a run that lasted for eight hours.

In addition  in order to avoid experiencing numbness  I had to remove my boots from the pegs at regular intervals throughout the journey.

On occasion  there is a peculiarity associated with the fueling process  such as a slight choking sound even when the throttle is held steady.

Despite the fact that it does not occur frequently and is not simple to reproduce  it does appear occasionally while cruising  even when the cruise control is functioning.

The good news is that it never showed up when I was accelerating or when I was in stop and go traffic  which would have disrupted my rhythm.

A windscreen that was either somewhat taller or better built would have been preferable to us.

 Anything that exceeds approximately 90 kilometres per hour causes my helmet to buffetpersistently.

I am 5 feet 8 inches tall. If you plan on touring frequently  you will require a solution that is available aftermarket.

There is also room for improvement in the positioning of the rear rebound adjuster

  the current placement of this component makes it needlessly difficult to access  almost as if usability was not taken into consideration at all.

Its touring credentials would have been substantially improved if it had a gasoline tank that was significantly larger.

In its current state  a genuine range of 350 kilometres would have made longer hauls a great deal more convenient.

However  riders with sensitive backs may find it less forgiving over broken and sluggish urban stretches.

Personally  I don t mind the slightly stiff low speed ride because it delivers stability and precision at higher speeds.

 However  riders with sensitive backs may find it less forgiving.

 
Final Thoughts

Despite the fact that TVS arrived late to the ADV party  it did so with all of its guns blazing.

Not only does the RTX 300 have a reasonable price point its base model is inexpensive in comparison to both the Suzuki V Strom 250 and the KTM 250 Adventure but it also has the most advanced computer technology.

It features a rider information display that is comprehensive and in full colour  as well as levers that can be adjusted.

In addition to phone mirroring  it comes with riding modes  traction control  quick shifter  cruise control  tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)  automated headlamp adjustment  adjustable suspension  and more.

Taking into account the fact that the RTX has the best real world performance in its class  whether it be in terms of the powertrain  the ergonomics of the sitting  the ride  or the handling  it appears to be a good investment.

 It also generates the highest power and torque in its category  which gives it the right to brag about its superiority.

Having said that  it is the greatest weight of any motorcycle in its category.

The fact that it has a fair weight distribution does help to compensate for it to some degree  nonetheless  due to the way its suspension is built up  it is not the most comfortable bike to ride at lower speeds.

It is also true that the engine is not the most refined. When you take into account the BTO variant  the price of the vehicle ends up being higher than that of the Suzuki.

In spite of this  the RTX 300 makes a convincing argument for itself as an all around package for riders

who want a motorbike that can be used for commuting  touring  and even taking some off road abuse while still providing a great value.