TVS dials premium biking, launches 225cc Ronin at Rs 149,000

In an effort to target young motorcyclists looking for a premium riding experience, TVS Motor Co today launched the Ronin neo-retro motorcycle. The latest TVS is priced from Rs 149,000 (ex-showroom, India) for the base variant through to the Base Plus (Rs 156,000) and Mid (Rs 169,000-Rs171,000). 

The retro-styled, scrambler-cum-cafe racer features a round headlight with a T-shaped LED DRL inside, and an offset, single-pod instrument cluster. Other key highlights are a single-piece seat, a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, blacked-out engine casings, a large belly pan, and an all-black exhaust system with a silver-coloured tip on the end-can. TVS is also offering a host of customisation options with the Ronin, albeit it hasn’t specified what those options are.

Colour options on the base variant include Lightning Black and Magma Red while the base plus can be had in Delta Blue and Stargaze Black shades. The top-of-the-range Ronins will be available in Galactic Grey and Dawn Orange.

The new Ronin is equipped with LED lighting all round, a USB charger, and TVS' Smart Xonnect Bluetooth connectivity system which offers call and message alerts, turn-by-turn navigation, and voice assistance features. It also gets two modes for the ABS - urban and rain, and an assist-and-slipper clutch

The TVS Ronin is powered by a 225.9cc, 4-valve, single-cylinder engine that develops 20.4hp at 7750rpm and 19.93Nm at 3750rpm. The new engine features an oil cooler and an integrated starter generator. The gearbox is a five-speed unit.

On the suspension front, the TVS Ronin gets a golden, 41mm USD Showa fork in front and a gas-charged monoshock at the rear. The bike rides on alloy wheels that are shod with dual-purpose tyres, with the front being a 110/70 - 17 and the rear being a 130/70 - 17. Braking duties are handled by discs at both ends, with dual-channel ABS featuring on the top variant. The TVS Ronin has a wheelbase of 1357mm and a kerb weight of 160kg.

The TVS Ronin looks to carve its own niche, given that it doesn’t conform to any particular style of motorcycle in India. And that could be an advantage. Nonetheless, it will have to contend with a wide variety of rivals. The Ronin sits between bikes like the Yamaha FZ-X, Royal Enfield Classic 350, Honda H’ness CB350 and even the Bajaj Pulsar 250s and Dominar 250.

Commenting on the new Ronin, Sudarshan Venu, Managing Director, TVS Motor Company, said, “The TVS Ronin is designed from a blank canvas to be a reflection of the spontaneous, fluidic, versatile and multi-faceted young rider of today. It is designed to create an effortless and ‘unscripted’ riding experience. True to the TVS brand it has cutting edge technology and connectivity. TVS Ronin is a lifestyle partner complete with an exclusive range of merchandise and accessories, a riding community, and an effortless customisation process.”

During the first quarter of the current financial year, TVS Motor Co's two-wheeler sales grew by 39%, increasing to 860,000 units from 620,000 units in the first quarter of FY2022.