GPR Camp: Replica Racers

The Apache RR 310 traces its roots back to last year’s Akula concept bike, and remains true
to that machine’s style. But underneath it’s almost indistinguishable from the BMW that
spawned it and which is built alongside it at the TVS factory in India.

The engine is the same reverse-cylinder single. TVS puts the capacity at 312.2cc, while
BMW rounds up to 313cc on its specs, but the dimensions are actually the same. Both bikes
make the same 34hp, although TVS says its peak is at 9700rpm, BMW at 9500rpm. Torque is
also basically identical; 27.3Nm at 7700rpm for the TVS, 28Nm at 7500rpm for the BMW
equivalent. A different injection map, perhaps?

The bike’s frame is also the same. Don’t be fooled by the way the section near the pegs looks
different to the BMW’s – on both bikes it’s just a plastic cover over an identical steel
structure. The Apache does get a different subframe, though, to accommodate pillion pegs
that hang from it rather than extending from the main frame as on the BMW.

Being a sports bike, the Apache gets rearset pegs, clip-ons and a higher, 810mm seat. Its
wheelbase is also a fraction shorter than the G310R’s at 1365mm, probably a result of new
yokes. The Apache’s top yoke in particular appears to hint that a BMW G310RR could also
be on the way – it’s a carbon copy of the design used on the S1000RR, albeit with the clip-
ons mounted above, rather than below, the yoke.

The Apache also gets its own, vertically-arranged LCD instrument panel, which is rather
more stylish than the G310’s rectangular, landscape-layout dash.

Wheels and the ByBre (Brembo’s cheaper sub-brand) brakes are also the same, although the
Apache gets sawtooth discs front and rear rather than simple circular ones. ABS is standard.

Weight, at 170kg wet, is around 11kg more than a naked G310R, which is little surprise
given that the TVS is carrying a lot more plastic bodywork. However, that bodywork also
helps the Indian bike to a higher top speed of 160km/h (99mph).

Will the Apache be offered in Europe? Understandably the firm’s main target is the
comparatively huge Indian market, but at the bike’s unveiling TVS President and CEO KN
Radhakrishnan said that the 310 RR is “positioned to fulfill the ever-growing aspirations of
the new age customers globally.”

Helicopter thinking
Like the 310 range from BMW, the TVS is powered by a 312cc reverse single, which the firm say develops 33.7bhp @ 9700rpm and 20 ftlb of torque. These figures do differ slightly from those given by the Germans, which could be down to different fuel maps or some tactical rounding up. While the power figures are the same, the extra bodywork of the TVS means it weighs 170kg (wet), which is 11kg more than a standard G310R. That extra bodywork does make it more slippery, though, giving it a top speed of 99mph. The engine isn’t the only thing it shares.

Both the TVS and the BMW have the same frame; it just looks different near the footpegs, as TVS have done a great job of blending a classic, tubular-steel frame into the modern lines of a sportsbike. The subframe is different, though, to accommodate the new superbike-esque back end as well as the pillion pegs and exhaust bracket. A fair bit of the finishing kit is the same, too, including the wheels, KYB suspension (albeit tuned differently in the Apache) and ByBre brakes. Yet TVS haven’t stood still; there have been some significant changes elsewhere to turn this into a proper little superbike.

All-new tech
For a start, the controls are all different, so it’s got rearsets, clip-ons and a higher saddle, all of which give a much sportier riding position. It’s also got a different dash, which is vertical rather than horizontal and generally looks more modern than BMW’s slabby one.

It’s also stuffed full of tech that gives 18 different bike diagnostics as well as the ability to view post-ride analysis. The Michelin Street Sport tyres are new, and TVS has even designed a fresh thermal-management system, whose special fairing gills protect the legs from the reverse-cylinder engine’s extra heat. Nerds might have also spotted the wavy discs, but the most interesting part is a new set of yokes that are a direct copy of those fitted to BMW’s S1000RR. That’s either an outrageous patent infringement or an obvious sign that there’s a G310RR on the way.

Cut to the chase
Will we see the Apache in the UK? It’s unlikely – but it’s a sure bet that we’ll see a G310RR in the not-too-distant future. In India, the Apache is priced the same as a made-in-India KTM RC390 (£5199 over here), so we’d expect the BMW to be a similar price. It might not be too far away, either, as BMW’s current trend of ‘one a year’ would make this prime for release in summer 2018. The only issue the brand might have is that delays to this project may mean by the time the RR version is released, the competition will have moved on again.

Here's how.

Build quality

TVS Apache RR 310 has been built very well. It shares the steel tubular trellis frame with the BMW G310 R. The fairing is not just bits of plastic stuck to make the bike look bigger, but is wind tunnel tested to provide a slippery bodywork. The panel gaps have been done rightly, which make it look like a quality product and also helps in aerodynamics. KTM RC 390 is also a very aerodynamic machine, but there can be quality concerns with the panel gaps or the plastics.

Ergonomics

While the KTM RC 390 makes a fantastic track motorcycle, it isn't always very comfortable in the real world with it strictly supersport stance. It is true that the RC 390 will be better on the track, however for everyday situations like office commutes, it can get quite uncomfortable. TVS Apache RR 310, on the other hand, is the kind which can handle most of these situations. For office commutes, weekend rides or even long distance rides, the Apache RR 310 will keep the rider in comfort, and if you are interested in track riding, it will also do that properly.

Power

While some will equate more power to a better motorcycle, but then speaking in terms of real-world situations, some comfort may be welcome. The KTM RC 390 has an eager throttle and it does not like crawling in slow moving traffic, but the TVS Apache RR 310 has a linear throttle response allowing comfort in traffic, which is inevitable and part of our everyday routine.

Maintenance

KTM RC 390 was a stellar success in India as the customer got a powerful motorcycle at a price much lower than its competition, and in terms of maintenance too, KTM is quite prompt and affordable. But one can expect even lower maintenance charges on a TVS Apache RR 310 once out of warranty period, mostly because parts will all be made in India and also because the engine will undergo lesser stress compared to RC 390.

Price

This one doesn't need much explaining as the TVS Apache RR 310 (Rs 2.39 lakh - on road) is cheaper than the KTM RC 390 (Rs 2.60 lakh - on road). For the amount you'll pay more for the RC 390 will get you more power, but the amount you save buying the Apache RR 310 will also get you comfort, better mileage and better everyday usability. To sum it up, it is quite a gamble. A powerful motorcycle or one that does well in the real world? But then you know as they say, 'There are two kinds of people'.

The Apache RR 310 gets the 312cc, single-cylinder, 4-valve, liquid-cooled engine that produces 34bhp of peak power (at 9700rpm) and 27.3Nm of torque (at 7700rpm). The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox. The claimed top speed of the motorcycle is 160kph, and it can accelerate from 0-60kph in just 2.9 seconds. One of the reasons for quick initial acceleration is superior aerodynamics of the motorcycle, which, the company says, has the lowest coefficient of drag in this segment.

The motorcycle uses a unique reverse inclined DOHC (double overhead camshaft) engine with LCOC (liquid-cooled oil coolant) technology. The company says this facilitates a compact layout for an ideal power-to-weight ratio and better mass centralisation. The speedo-cum-tachometer is also race-inspired. It has a vertical layout and as many as 18 racing tell-tale diagnostics, and a comprehensive post-ride analysis. The motorcycle is fitted with LED twin projector headlamps for maximum reach and visibility. And it rides on Michelin Street Sport tyres (it’s the first sub-500cc motorcycle in India to use these tyres).

The design is race-inspired, too. It has a full fairing, which not only shields the rider’s legs from engine heat, but also aids better heat dissipation. The suspension is by KYB, the American company famous for its shock absorbers. Both anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic fuel injection (EFI) are available as standard. It’s available in two colours—red and black. TVS has said that deliveries of the Apache RR 310 will start by the end of December. To begin with, it will be available at 52 showrooms across 40 cities in India.

The TVS Apache RR 310 is the brand’s first fully faired sporty motorcycle and caters to the premium segment. The motorcycle comes with full-LED lighting and a sporty yet comfortable ergonomics. The instrument cluster is all-digital, and the fuel tank can hold 11 litres of petrol.

Powering the motorcycle is a 312.2 cc single cylinder mill. The powerplant is good for 34 PS of power at 9,700 rpm, and 27.3 Nm of torque at 7,700 rpm. The engine works in tandem with a 6-speed gearbox with back-rack gears for quicker shifting; and to eliminate false neutrals. Coming to the cycle parts, the bike employs cartridge-type upside down front forks, and a rear monoshock. The bike costs INR 2.05 lakh, ex-showroom in the Indian market.