TVS brings its two-decade Apache legacy into the fast-growing adventure motorcycling space with the RTX 300, aiming to make premium touring and off-road riding more accessible to Indian riders.
16 Oct 2025 | 5483 Views | By Darshan Nakhwa
After reshaping India’s performance motorcycling landscape with its Apache series, TVS Motor Company has now turned its attention to the rapidly expanding adventure touring category with the launch of the Apache RTX 300, marking its first foray into the segment.
The company says the move is aimed at “democratising ...
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After reshaping India’s performance motorcycling landscape with its Apache series, TVS Motor Company has now turned its attention to the rapidly expanding adventure touring category with the launch of the Apache RTX 300, marking its first foray into the segment.
The company says the move is aimed at “democratising adventure motorcycling”, bringing premium rally-tourer capabilities within reach of a wider audience, much as it did with performance bikes over the past two decades.
“We are constantly studying evolving customer needs, not just to participate in those trends, but to redefine them,” said Gaurav Gupta, President of TVS Motor’s India two-wheeler business. “Apache has always stood for performance and aspiration, and with the RTX, we aim to carry that spirit into the world of adventure motorcycling.”
TVS Motor’s Head of Premium Business and Marketing, Vimal Sumbly, believes the Apache DNA is flexible enough to power the brand into new territories. “First Apache (motorcycle) was built as a machine for the track, and from there we moved it to the road to democratise racing in India. Now we see an opportunity to extend that philosophy to the adventure segment,” he said. “We don’t want adventure riding to remain exclusive to a few. India has beautiful terrain, and adventure tourism is growing globally,” he said.
Sumbly added, “We wanted to create something that’s truly accessible in terms of design, engine capacity, power, and technology, all of which TVS is known for,” Sumbly said. “Apache embodies that core philosophy, which is why we chose to extend the brand into rally, touring, and extreme riding as well.”
The company’s entry into the adventure and touring motorcycle segment comes at a time when the category is growing far faster than the broader two-wheeler market in India. “If you look at the overall motorcycle industry in India over the last five years, growth has been about 10.4%. But the adventure tourer segment has grown at a CAGR of 27.3%,” he said.
The growth in the adventure and touring motorcycle segment reflects broader shifts in consumer behaviour–a move towards premiumisation, an appetite for experience-oriented riding, and a desire for versatile motorcycles capable of handling varied terrains. Once a niche enthusiast domain, the segment has transformed over the past decade from a small enthusiast base into a key pillar of the premium motorcycle market. Social media, influencer culture, and long-distance riding clubs have further fuelled demand.
To capitalise on this opportunity, both domestic and global manufacturers have rolled out a wave of purpose-built models, including the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, KTM 390 Adventure, Hero Xpulse 210, Yezdi Adventure, and Suzuki V-Strom SX. With the launch of the Apache RTX 300, TVS has now joined their ranks.
Apache RTX 300
The new Apache RTX 300, launched at an introductory price of ₹1,99,000 (ex-showroom), is built on TVS’s all-new RT-XD4 platform. It houses a 299.1cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that produces 36 PS at 9,000 rpm and 28.5 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm, paired with a six-speed gearbox, fuel injection, and an assist and slipper clutch.
The motorcycle is designed to deliver versatility on and off-road, featuring four riding modes– Urban, Rain, Tour, and Rally–that tailor engine response, traction control, and ABS calibration to terrain conditions. It also comes equipped with a bi-directional quickshifter, cruise control, linear traction control, and a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity and navigation mirroring.
The motorcycle’s ergonomics are tuned for both seated and standing riding positions, supported by a steel trellis frame and long-travel WP suspension. Additional features include tire pressure monitoring, adjustable levers, Class-D LED headlamps, and mounting points for panniers and top cases, with optional accessories from GIVI.
“This product is engineered to deliver a differentiated and elevated experience,” said R. Babu, Senior Vice President – R&D, TVS Motor Company. “Existing products in the segment each offer something good but often lack balance. Our goal was to bring a fusion of engineering excellence, design detailing, and carefully chosen technologies to meet multiple use cases–from commuting to long-distance touring and off-road exploration.”
The Apache RTX extends the Apache family into the third major format--alongside naked and supersport–which together account for 85-90% of India’s motorcycle market.
Manufacturing, Exports Plans
The Apache RTX will be manufactured at TVS’s Mysuru plant, which also produces Apache RR and RTR range. While the initial focus will be on the Indian market, Gupta confirmed that global rollouts are part of the company’s strategy.
“This is a new segment for us, and we are tuned and ready to take on volumes as they come, both domestically and internationally,” Gupta said, adding that details on export markets will be shared soon.
Beyond the product itself, TVS plans to create a comprehensive ecosystem around the RTX. The company is exploring rider engagement initiatives such as adventure tours, social and CSR drives, and training academies to bring new riders into the fold. It has also partnered with GIVI for touring accessories and with Alpinestars to launch a new line of adventure riding gear, from dual-sport helmets to riding boots.