TVS has patented a cafe racer design in India, based on the Ronin. This design was unveiled in late 2024 as a custom-built TVS Factory Cafe Racer. Here’s a rundown of what sets it apart from the production-spec Ronin.
1. TVS’s cafe racer design patent is based on a concept showcased earlier
2. Cafe racer styling brings clip-on handlebars, tighter rake, rear-set foot pegs
3. It gets a bikini fairing and a single-seat layout
TVS cafe racer patented: What to expect?
It uses the same 225cc engine as the standard Ronin
This patented design may or may not make it to production, but it offers a glimpse into TVS’s imagination, as it is based on the Ronin Factory Custom cafe racer.
Unlike most patent stories, where designs take years to materialise, this one is different. Filed in 2024, this patent appears to be of the TVS Ronin Factory Custom cafe racer and was followed soon after by TVS unveiling this very concept.
TVS positions the Ronin as ‘Unscripted’ – a motorcycle that doesn’t conform to any one segment. Reinforcing that idea, the brand continues to experiment with spin-offs based on the platform. This cafe racer concept is one such example. It stands out visually and, if brought to production, could be a rather unique offering in its class.
To achieve the cafe racer identity, the Ronin undergoes several hardware changes. It gets low-set clip-on handlebars, a tighter rake angle, and rear-set, slightly elevated foot pegs, all contributing to a sportier riding triangle. The 14-litre fuel tank appears to be retained, now paired with a bikini fairing and a wind deflector that flows neatly into the tank. The seating is now single-piece, with the pillion removed in favour of a cowl, while the rear fender integrates sharply into the tail-light, giving the motorcycle a distinctive design. Another point of distinction is the exhaust end-can that looks quite different from the production-spec Ronin.
Barring the exhaust end-can, the engine seems to be unchanged, suggesting this is more of an aesthetic job than a comprehensive mechanical rework. The 225cc single-cylinder oil-cooled engine continues to produce 20.4hp and 19.9Nm, paired with a 5-speed gearbox.
Azaman Chothia
Dinshaw Magol
