TVS Apache RTX 300 2026 — Specifications

When TVS decides to play in the 300cc class, the market had better be ready. The Indian manufacturer, long confined to modest displacements on its domestic market, is now pushing the door open to the segment with this Apache RTX 300, which doesn't hide its sporting ambitions. A direct, straightforward entry, with a 299cc single-cylinder engine developing 36 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 28.4 Nm of torque available from 7,000 rpm. On paper, it's within the segment standard, neither more nor less.

What is striking, however, is the attention to detail in the chassis. A steel trellis frame, a 41mm inverted fork with 180mm of travel, a single rear shock absorber with the same travel: TVS doesn't skimp on the foundations. This geometry evokes a muscular sportbike more than a touring roadster, and we imagine that dynamic behavior should benefit positively. The 180 kg dry weight remains within a reasonable range for the category, even if a Yamaha MT-03 comes in a few kilos below.

Faced with direct competition, the RTX 300 enters a segment saturated with well-established references. The KTM Duke 390 and its 44 horsepower clearly dominate in terms of power, while the Honda CB300R plays the card of lightness and Japanese refinement. TVS responds with a more aggressive visual positioning, inherited from the Apache Racing DNA lineage that the manufacturer has cultivated for years with its competition partnerships. A compression ratio of 11.6:1 and a four-valve cylinder head show that engineering is not sacrificed for price. The six-speed gearbox completes a coherent package, with a chain as final transmission.

The 12.5-liter fuel tank limits range on open roads, a point to consider for those planning to take it on long distances. At a declared top speed of 150 km/h, the machine does not claim to exceed its rank, but fully assumes its role as an accessible sportbike. The target audience is clearly identifiable: the motorcyclist starting or progressing with their license, looking for a motorcycle that inspires them to accelerate out of corners without penalizing beginner mistakes, but also the regular rider who wants a lively machine on back roads without breaking the bank.

The Apache RTX 300 doesn't revolutionize anything, but it arrives with a level of finish and a technical philosophy that deserve attention. TVS is building its European credibility piece by piece, and this 300 represents a serious argument for a brand on the rise. Remains to be seen if the after-sales network will follow, because that's often where battles are won or lost over time.