Unveiled at EICMA 2026, the liquid-cooled motorcycle gets a six-speed gearbox, premium suspension and a TFT display
TVS Motor Company has unveiled a rather interesting addition to its RTR family at EICMA 2026. Called the RTR 125 LC, the new motorcycle is a lightweight streetfighter aimed primarily at European riders holding an A1 motorcycle licence. It brings a liquid-cooled engine and a feature list that is quite a step up from what we generally associate with the 125 cc segment in India.
The motorcycle has naturally sparked interest here, given the Apache badge’s popularity. But before we get ahead of ourselves, TVS has not announced an India launch. Here are five things worth knowing about the new motorcycle.
1. A new liquid-cooled 125 cc engine
The RTR 125 LC gets a 125 cc, single-cylinder, four-valve, DOHC, liquid-cooled engine. It produces 14.9 PS at 9,000 rpm and 12Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheel through a six-speed gearbox, while a full assist and slipper clutch is part of the package.
These figures put it among the more performance-oriented motorcycles in its displacement class. The six-speed transmission should also give it more flexibility at higher speeds compared to the five-speed units commonly found on Indian 125cc motorcycles.
2. A proper streetfighter design
The motorcycle has a fairly aggressive stance, with a forward-biased design, sharply sculpted bodywork and an exposed trellis frame. The rectangular LED projector headlamp gets a distinctive DRL signature, while the rear uses a tri-split LED tail lamp.
It looks like a motorcycle developed around the RTR identity rather than a conventional commuter with sporty bodywork added to it.
3. Premium suspension and braking hardware
TVS has equipped the RTR 125 LC with a 41 mm KYB upside-down front fork and an adjustable rear monoshock. The chassis uses a trellis frame with a cast aluminium swingarm.
It rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, with a 100/80 front tyre and a considerably wider 140/70 rear tyre. Braking is handled by a 300 mm front disc with a radial-mount ByBre caliper and a 240mm rear disc. Dual-channel ABS is standard.
4. 5-inch TFT display and ride modes
The equipment list is another highlight. The motorcycle gets a five-inch TFT instrument display with Bluetooth connectivity, full-screen map mirroring and turn-by-turn navigation. Ride modes are also part of the package, allowing the rider to adapt the motorcycle’s behaviour to different conditions. For a 125 cc motorcycle, this is a fairly comprehensive technology offering.
5. Will it come to India?
This is the big question, particularly for Apache fans. TVS has not confirmed an India launch or revealed pricing and availability for any market yet. The RTR 125 LC has been developed with European A1 licence holders in mind, and its positioning and equipment could make it a considerably more premium proposition than the typical Indian 125 cc motorcycle.
An India launch is certainly an interesting possibility, but there is no official confirmation to go by at present. If TVS does bring it here, pricing will be crucial. It would also be interesting to see whether the company retains the European specification or makes changes for our market. There’s a possibility that TVS throws a surprise at MotoSoul 2026.
