The 300cc adventure tourer is priced from €4,890 in Italy and gets the same 36 PS engine, premium electronics and adventure-focused hardware
TVS Motor has taken the Apache RTX 300 to Europe, with the adventure motorcycle now launched in Italy at a starting price of €4,890, equivalent to around Rs 5.43 lakh. The higher-spec version is priced at €5,290, or roughly Rs 5.88 lakh. That is a significant jump over the motorcycle’s Rs 1.99 lakh starting price in India, although European pricing naturally factors in taxes, homologation and other market-specific costs.
The Italian-spec RTX 300 retains the same basic formula that has made the motorcycle interesting in India. It is a compact adventure tourer with a fairly substantial stance, an upright riding position and styling that gives it the presence of a much larger motorcycle. TVS will begin sales in Italy from November through around 150 outlets, including multi-brand dealerships.
Underneath the adventure styling is TVS’ new RT-XD4 platform. The motorcycle gets a 299.1 cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, DOHC engine producing 36 PS at 9,000 rpm and 28.5 Nm at 7,000 rpm. It is paired with a six-speed gearbox and an assist and slipper clutch. The engine also uses electronic throttle control, allowing TVS to offer multiple riding modes and a fairly sophisticated electronics package.
That electronics package is one of the RTX 300’s biggest talking points. The motorcycle gets Urban, Rain, Tour and Rally riding modes, traction control, switchable ABS, cruise control and a 5-inch TFT instrument cluster. The display supports smartphone connectivity and map mirroring through TVS SmartXonnect. Depending on the version, buyers also get a bi-directional quickshifter and other premium equipment.
The hardware is equally interesting. The RTX 300 gets a steel trellis frame with an aluminium swingarm, 41 mm upside-down front forks and a rear monoshock, with 180 mm of suspension travel at both ends. Ground clearance stands at 200 mm, while the motorcycle rides on a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel combination. A 320 mm front disc and 240 mm rear disc handle braking duties.
For touring, TVS has equipped the motorcycle with a windshield, knuckle guards and rear luggage mounting provisions. The company will also offer accessories such as side panniers, a top box, tank guard, bash plate, raised fender and knuckle guards in Europe.
The bigger story here, however, is what the RTX 300 represents for TVS. This isn’t simply an Indian motorcycle being exported to another market. The company has developed the RT-XD4 platform with global markets in mind, and the RTX 300 is effectively its first serious adventure offering for European riders. In Italy, the motorcycle will also appeal to A2 licence holders looking for an accessible adventure tourer.
