TVS Apache RTX 300 Road Test Review: Daily Grind

Are adventure motorcycles the answer to India's unpredictable roads? Manufacturers certainly believe so-and riders seem to agree. With their upright ergonomics, long-travel suspension, and promise of all-day comfort, ADV-tourers are increasingly becoming the go-to choice for long-distance riding as well as everyday use.

The latest entrant to this space is the TVS Apache RTX 300. We spent two weeks living with the motorcycle, clocking over 400 kilometres. Our time with the RTX included daily office commutes and a short weekend getaway-enough to get a clear sense of how it fits into real-world riding.

Here are our key observations: 

Big Bike Feel: With an 835 mm seat height, signature LED headlamps and a chunky front fairing, the RTX 300 may look intimidating at first glance, even larger than it really is. But once you're in the saddle, that perception quickly changes. There's a clear sense of space and comfort-exactly what you want on long journeys. The 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel setup strikes a good balance too, keeping the bike manageable in traffic while remaining stable and relaxed on the highway.

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No Replacement For Displacement: On paper, the Apache RTX 300 sits a rung below bikes like the Himalayan 450 or the KTM 390 Adventure-smaller engine, lower price-but comparisons are inevitable, and rightly so. Powering the RTX is an all-new 299 cc, liquid-cooled motor producing 36 hp, paired with a six-speed gearbox and a bi-directional quickshifter. In terms of outright refinement, this new TVS engine is leagues ahead of the earlier TVS-BMW co-developed 313 cc, reverse-inclined motor. There's noticeably less harshness, the vibrations are better controlled, and the gruffness feels more polished rather than intrusive-making the RTX 300 a far more pleasant motorcycle to live with.

The clutch is light, shifts are slick, and the engine delivers a clean, usable mid-range that works well both in the city and on the open road. Heat management is well controlled in daily riding, and cruising at 90-110 kmph on the highway feels effortless. Push harder and it will comfortably cross triple-digit speeds, though it doesn't feel as rock-solid or planted as the Himalayan. The windscreen does a good job of cutting windblast on the highway, but in city traffic, it can slightly intrude into the rider's line of sight.

High On Feature: The TVS Apache RTX 300 comes loaded with features that genuinely enhance its real-world performance and usability. It offers four riding modes-Urban, Tour, Rain, and Rally-each tailored for a different riding scenario. Tour mode is the clear standout, delivering sharp throttle response while still returning an impressive real-world mileage of around 25 kmpl, making it ideal for long highway stints. 

Switch back to Urban mode after that, and it feels noticeably softer and slower, prioritising smoothness over urgency-fine for relaxed riding, but not ideal for quick gaps in dense traffic. Off the road, Rally mode shines by switching off rear ABS, allowing harder braking and better control on loose surfaces. 

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Feature highlights also include best-in-class twin Class-D LED headlamps with auto intensity, offering excellent visibility on trails and highways alike. A crisp 5-inch colour TFT display with connected tech, tyre pressure monitoring, and gear-shift indicator further makes the RTX 300 a friendly and confidence-inspiring ADV, especially for newcomers.

Key Highlights:
Model: TVS Apache RTX 300
Kilometres ridden: 432
Mileage tested: 31.6 kmpl
Price: Rs 1.99 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards