TVS Apache RR 310 vs rivals: Specifications comparison

The latest small-capacity sports motorcycle to enter India is the TVS Apache RR310. The fully-faired 313cc bike from the Indian manufacturer has been long-awaited, after a whole year of spy shots and rumours. The RR 310 is undoubtedly one of the most stylish motorcycles in its class – but how does it compare against its similarly-priced competition, with similar specs? Let us find out. We line it up against the Bajaj Dominar, KTM Duke 250, KTM RC 390 and the Mahindra Mojo, since all of them fall in the Rs 1.5-2.5 lakh (ex-showroom) price bracket.

Where do they belong?
With its high tail and sharp fairing, the RR 310 features an aggressive supersport-like design. However, the motorcycle is not an all-out supersport, especially in terms of riding position. It has a raised handlebar and reasonably rear-set footpegs, which should make it comfortable on the street as well. The RR 310 has ample room on offer and this is of as much help with being comfortable on a high-speed cruise, as it is while you experiment with increasing degrees of lean angles. The low seat height also helps and should keep most riders comfortable. The RR 310 belongs on long, open highways but will also handle most twisting roads.

The Dominar on the other hand, is a naked-cruiser. The riding position ranks amongst the best we’ve experienced on any Bajaj, so far – a light lean into the flat bars imparting a nice sporty feel, further complimented by positioned well-positioned footrests. This places the Dominar 400 in a nice spot and makes it more comfortable than its KTM street-going stablemates which have a more aggressive riding position. The Dominar is a power-cruiser that belongs on open roads, but will also handle city traffic with ease.

The KTM Duke 250 is an all-out naked sports bike. Its chassis gives it impressive dynamic ability, making cornering almost intuitive. The wheelbase has been shortened when compared to that of the 200, which makes the 250 very flickable. Changing direction is easy, whether it is on back-to-back corners or while making your way through labyrinthine traffic.

The KTM RC 390 may look like a direct rival to the RR 310 but it is a completely different beast, altogether. The RC 390’s forward-mounted, clip-on handle bars and rear-set foot pegs most certainly make for an aggressive ride posture. This isn’t as forgiving a bike for beginners, but will prove rewarding for experienced riders looking for the sharp handling edge of a sports bike, along with the added power and extra grip from the Metzlers.  This motorcycle is much happier in the twisties or a racetrack, than it is in city traffic.

Mahindra’s Mojo is a naked-cruiser in a similar vein to the Bajaj Dominar – with a bigger bias on comfort. Its raised handlebar, slightly forward-set footpegs and comfortable ride makes it a mile-muncher. The seat is on the higher side though, and short riders might end up on their toes, when stationary. The long wheelbase of the motorcycle lends it good stability on the highway but makes it feel large and a bit cumbersome in city traffic.

** Dry weight

Most features for your buck
TVS has equipped the RR 310 with plenty of features. The racy-looking motorcycle comes with dual-channel ABS, all-around LED lighting and petal disc brakes. The instrument cluster is extremely informative and displays a speedometer, tachometer, gear position indicator, a fuel-efficiency read-out, range and a clock. It also features a readout each, for the average speed, 0-60kph timings and in lap timer mode.

The Dominar 400 sports an all-LED headlamp and tail-lamp. It also gets a reverse LCD that provides better clarity in all conditions (including day) than a standard LCD screen. This instrument cluster shows the speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge and the rpm metre. The Dominar can also be optioned with a dual-channel ABS.

KTM’s Duke 250 gets the new headlamp shroud and LED running lamp from the Duke 390, but a bulb-and-reflector setup like the smaller Duke 200. It also gets the older instrument cluster which displays a range of information, like fuel efficiency, distance to empty, speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge and rpm metre. The Duke 250 misses out on ABS – it is not available, as an option.

The KTM RC 390 features projector headlamps with two fang-like LED daytime running lamps. For 2017, it also got adjustable levers and a ride-by-wire throttle. It also gets the older instrument cluster which displays a range of information – fuel efficiency, distance to empty, speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge and rpm metre. The RC 390 does, however, miss out on the larger colour display seen on the new 390 Duke. It is also equipped with dual-channel ABS.

Mahindra’s Mojo is the least-kitted in this department. It has an analogue rpm gauge in addition to a digital speedometer and fuel gauge. The Mojo has regular twin-pod headlamps, with an LED DRL, running above it. Mahindra has still not equipped this motorcycle with ABS.

Performance on paper
Powering the RR 310 is a 312.2cc, single-cylinder, DOHC motor that makes 34hp at 9,700rpm and 27.3Nm at 7,700rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox. Suspension duties are carried out by a 41mm KYB USD fork and a preload-adjustable monoshock.

The Dominar is powered by a 373cc single-cylinder fuel-injected engine that is borrowed from the KTM 390 Duke, although not as aggressive. This retuned liquid-cooled engine produces 34.5hp at 8,000rpm and 35Nm of torque at 6,500rpm and is mated to a six-speed gearbox. It uses a 43mm conventional telescopic fork for the front and an adjustable monoshock at the rear.

The 250 Duke uses a 249cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that produces 30hp at 9,000rpm and 24Nm at 7,500rpm. The front-end gets 43mm open cartridge inverted forks while the aluminium swingarm is linked to a preload-adjustable monoshock.

KTM’s RC 390 uses the same engine from the Duke 390, a 373.3cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder that is liquid-cooled and fuel-injected. This motor makes 44hp at 9,000rpm and peak torque of 36Nm is produced at 7,000rpm. This makes it the most powerful bike in this comparison. The suspension on the RC 390 comprises of a 43mm upside-down fork and a preload-adjustable rear monoshock.

Lastly, the Mojo is powered by a 292cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that makes 27hp at 8,000rpm and maximum torque of 30Nm at 5,500rpm. In terms of suspension, the motorcycle uses an upside-down fork up front and a gas-charged rear monoshock.

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