Autocar India
•35w

I’m a 25-year-old rider from Bangalore (6 ft, 95 kg) currently using a 2018 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V (non-ABS). After a few close calls, I want to upgrade to a comfortable supersport or naked bike. My budget is flexible up to ₹10 lakh. I’m open to superbikes if they look great, but spares availability, service practicality, ground clearance, and E20 compatibility are important for Indian roads. I have tested multiple bikes: TVS RR 310: Loved the package. Best posture, great suspension for potholes, features, and comfort. My only worry is the engine refinement stories I’ve heard. I'm also worried that TVS might phase it out, and I'd be left searching for parts. Aprilia RS 457: Found the posture torturous and honestly didn’t get the hype around it. Hurt my fingers when doing a full turn with the handle. KTM Adventure 390: Felt unsafe due to excessive vibrations. I also don't like how adventure bikes look. Too bulky for my tastes. I'm 25 - should be able to enjoy my life! Kawasaki Ninja 300: Felt very outdated, and the engine character didn't impress me. The Kawasaki dealership experience was also quite poor. Aprilia Tuono 457: Posture was okay, but the engine didn't feel special enough to justify the high purchase price and service costs. Looks didn't impress me one bit. Suzuki GSX-8R: Comfortable and fast, but 11 lakhs feels unjustified given the high maintenance concerns. I loved Rishaad's review on it (great reviewer and presenter - send him my love!), but I didn't really understand what's so special about it. I could barely use 20% of its power :) I mostly ride in the city with occasional highway trips. Since I know decent TVS service folks, after-sales for the RR 310 isn't an issue. My main questions are: How bad is the refinement on the RR 310 really? Have the recent updates fixed the vibration issues? Is the 310 platform being phased out anytime soon, or is it safe to buy now? Should I wait for the 450 RR? Given my requirement for a comfortable posture and E20 compatibility, is it worth waiting for an updated Yamaha R3 or another 2026 twin, or should I just go ahead with the RR 310? I'm looking to purchase something in the March-April timeframe, but happy to wait longer if there's anything better coming up :)

Verified
•35w

TVS has been giving the Apache RR 310 an update almost every year since it came out, improving small areas like refinement, features and adding more colours too. Today's Apache RR 310 is a feature-loaded machine which has significantly improved NVH levels, although it's still a single-cylinder machine. So, you will have to deal with some vibrations in certain bands of the rev range. 

Since you seem to prefer a twin-cylinder sportbike experience over a single and have the budget to go for it, the Kawasaki Ninja 500 is a bike we'd recommend you seriously consider. It has reasonably comfortable ergonomics and decently compliant suspension for daily usage. Its 451cc, twin-cylinder engine has a healthy spread of mid-range grunt, and it will also be fun to chase the redline, given some open tarmac. 

Yes, Kawasaki bikes are expensive to maintain, but that's something you will have to make peace with if you want a twin-cylinder sportbike today. You can also rest easy about E20 compatibility because all new bikes and scooters sold in India are compatible with our fuel. 

If you don't think the Ninja 500 justifies its high price tag, then move up to the little more expensive but quite a bit more capable Ninja 650. It is one of the few big bikes on sale in India that can genuinely be used on a day-to-day basis. As long as you're mindful of the low ground clearance and expensive rims.  

Coming to the TVS/BMW 450cc sportbike, an official launch is unlikely to happen anytime soon, considering we have only just spotted a heavily camouflaged test mule for the first time. 

Thank you for your kind words about Rishaad. We'll be sure to pass them on!

TVS Apache RR 310

TVS Apache RR 310

More posts on similar bikes

•2d

I have been riding a RE Hunter 350 for the past 4 years and love its low-end torque and relaxed city character. However, I hope that it brings back the lightweight, punchy, "zingy" thrill of the old Yamaha RX 100/135. I have shortlisted KLX230 and have taken it test ride in Bengaluru on broken, waterlogged, pothole-filled roads and have thoroughly enjoyed it. The S variant wasn’t available for me to try. I enjoyed the deltabox/VVA engine of XSR155. Is it worth modding W175 to US LTD look? Dealer says it is off sale. SR250 fits my aesthetics, but I have doubts about its reliability and long-term ownership. Also, does a dual-sport or a light street bike like the XSR 155 make the ultimate garage companion to a Hunter 350? Is it worth holding out for/modding the W175 or trusting Keeway. Also, do the Yamaha/Kawasaki dual-sports beat them out-of-the-box for raw, lightweight fun?

Verified
•1d

Since you already have a Hunter, getting another road-oriented bike will give you largely the same experience and we'd recommend choosing a different form factor to broaden your horizons. From your shortlist, the Kawasaki KLX230 (and the lower seat height & suspension travel 'S' version) will be the best fit for your two-bike garage. In that same vein, we'd also recommend Honda's new XR300L & XR300 Rally because they will have similiar capability as the KLX but are far more affordable and will likely have a small performance edge owing to their larger-capacity motors. Once you're able to test ride the XR300s, pick between these & the KLX for your next purchase.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350
Honda Bikes XR300 Rally
Honda Bikes XR300L
Kawasaki KLX230

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Posted on: 23 Feb 2026