Being a photographer, I often ask myself this question: “What is a pretty sight?” My answers vary, but if I asked you and you said Milan, I would agree wholeheartedly. But I am an automotive photographer, so the follow-up question is: “What is a prettier sight?” The answer would be a pretty motorcycle in Milan. Well, things have a way of working out, and I got an opportunity to take photos of this ‘pretty combo’ to my heart’s content.
As with every iteration, xBhp was there to attend this year’s EICMA as well. It is held in Milan and Milan is well… Milan! Usually, we have various means to travel to the EICMA venue from our accommodation, but this year I decided to take up ‘an exercise in pride’. A thoroughly Indian motorcycle that can match the sights Milan has to offer, and not just match, but accentuate those sights.
Arguably, the TVS Apache RR 310 is the most beautiful motorcycle ever conceived and manufactured by an Indian manufacturer. You know what, let us get rid of arguably and make it a statement, if I dare say so myself. And the proof is right here. I mean, just look at it. We all knew it was going to be something special when we first saw the Akula concept at the Auto Expo in 2016. Then, towards the end of 2017, we got the first look at the production version, and it blew us all away.
Now, here we are, nearly a decade later since we laid our eyes on the concept and the Apache RR 310 still more than holds up the title of the most beautiful Indian motorcycle ever. Now, even more so. And in this particular colour that was launched with the latest iteration, it simply looks stunning. The winglets may not be to everyone’s taste, but I’d say TVS did a great job of integrating them without messing with the beautiful lines of this princess of a machine.
So, this pretty little thing here was my daily driver during my time in Milan participating in EICMA 2025. Even here in Milan, I had a few people ogling my ride, and I even ran into a couple of questions regarding the ‘origin’ of the Apache RR 310. Imagine the smug look on my face as I told them that it is designed and made in India. Now you know what I meant by an exercise in pride.
I have already mentioned the colour scheme, Bomber Grey, and the winglets. Another neat touch on the latest iteration of the Apache RR 310 is the transparent clutch cover. A lot of people over the years have compared the RR 310 with old-school Ducatis, and the transparent clutch cover adds to that narrative. An Indian motorcycle, compared with Italian royalty when it comes to motorcycles, being ridden in one of the most visited cities in Italy… good times indeed!
About Milan, well, I can say so much and yet, it won’t be enough. The fashion capital of Italy. The economic capital of Italy. A major international tourist destination. And utterly gorgeous. From the Milan Cathedral to the Sforza Castle and from Porta Sempione to La Scala, Milan feels like a city right out of a painter’s dream. And in that painting, I had the fortune to add a little element called the Apache RR 310 to turn it into an automotive photographer’s dream.
Another thing that I really came to appreciate about the RR 310 during my stint with it in Milan is how much it has matured in terms of performance. The latest iteration of the Apache RR 310 makes more power and torque than before. It is quite expected as well. TVS has a racing heritage spanning over 4 decades, and the new Apache RR 310 is based on the motorcycle that hit a top speed of 215.9 km/h at the Asia Road Racing Championship.
The latest Apache makes 38 bhp, which is around 4 and some chump change more than before. The torque has also gone up by 1.7 Nm and sits at 29 Nm now. Why am I telling you this? Because it tells you about the pedigree of TVS as a manufacturer. With a modified air-intake system and lighter forged aluminium pistons, they were able to extract more power from an already highly-strung engine.
What surprised me even more was that, despite making more power, it somehow felt more refined than the previous iterations. I was able to navigate the metropolitan Milan with abject ease (felt more pride because I feel like I created a new oxymoron). More than the engine, it is the dynamics that have always impressed me the most with the Apache RR 310.
It is a motorcycle that looks big. It has a fair bit of heft to it as well. But then, the weight has been so well distributed, and the CoG has been kept so low that it feels like the thing would turn on a dime. The reverse-inclined engine, short wheelbase-long swingarm combo also helps, but I just feel that TVS motorcycles have a certain deftness to them that makes them so peculiar. The RR 310 embodies that more than any other TVS motorcycle, and, well, that is what a flagship is all about.
Well, I was beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to ride the Apache RR 310 in Milan. And this came after I covered 8 African countries on an Apache. You can read all about it in the Africa on Apache Special Collectors’ Edition of the xBhp Print Magazine available on xBhp.com. Me… on an Apache is kind of becoming a trend, and it is one that I am not averse to by any degree. It just makes me wonder where next… and on which Apache… well, you guys will be the first to know once I figure that out. Till then, ride safe.
