Someone once said, “Don’t compare apples and oranges.” To be more precise, the original saying was, “Don’t compare apples to oysters.” If one of them were a car, the oyster would be it. But since our contenders are both high-performance motorcycles, let’s go ahead with this comparison no one asked for. 

At MotoVilla, the headquarters of xBhp, we have gadgets, collectables, books, photos, and of course, real motorcycles. Among those are our contenders for today; the TVS Apache RTR 310 and the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S. For our readers outside India (who somehow do not know about TVS), let me introduce TVS Motor Company. It is a motorcycle manufacturing giant. In addition to the RTR 310, they also produce the engines for the BMW 310s. Also, they are the ones who acquired Norton not too long ago. 

Let’s begin with looks, as that’s what prompted many to say the Apache RTR 310’s design was inspired by the Ducati Streetfighter V4S when it was first spotted in a trailer. I’m a fan of naked, aggressive motorcycles, with the Kawasaki Z1000 being one of my favourites. That’s the kind of look I’d have wanted on the ZH2, rather than its current design.

Back to the Apache RTR 310—it is polarizing in the looks department. I, for one, love the design. From the dual LED headlamps, which TVS describes as “cyborg” to paint a picture, it looks futuristic, almost Transformer-like. The sculpted tank draws you in and flows into the trellis frame paired with an aluminium subframe.

Now, the most challenging aspect of designing a naked motorcycle is the engine. And this is where the Streetfighter’s massive V4 engine steals the show. No matter how muscular the bodywork of the Apache RTR 310 is, the engine is still a single-cylinder. But that’s not the bike’s fault. The trellis frame does its best to cover and make up for the space in that area leading you to the beautiful step-up seat that ends just before the rear wheel. 

That said, the engine may be smaller but you get more than you’re paying for with around 36 horsepower along with a tested and reliable engine. There are no fancy exhausts or a single-sided swingarm on the Apache RTR 310. However, considering how TVS has updated the fully-faired RR310, I think some new features may make their way into the next update, along with a clear clutch cover hopefully.

The Ducati Streetfighter V4 S, on the other hand, is one of the best-looking bikes on the market. Essentially a Panigale V4 S without the fairing, it is inspired by the Joker for its front-end design, and the sharp rear completes the aggressive streetfighter look. The engine, a stressed member, is a showstopper with little to no empty space. The single-sided swingarm directly bolts onto the engine, adding a clean aesthetic that highlights the bike’s design. When the new generation Streetfighter was unveiled in 2019 at EICMA, it won the title of “Most Beautiful Bike of the Show,” and there was no doubt about it.

While looks are subjective, performance is not. But before we dive into that, I must mention my long-time supporters and the engine oil I’ve been using in nearly all my motorcycles since 2005—Castrol POWER1. The latest iteration, Castrol POWER1 ULTIMATE has a Full-Synthetic 5-in-1 formula that protects the engine, keeps it cool, ensures smooth operation, and delivers enduring performance in all conditions, including the dust and heat of Delhi summers.

We have been using Castrol POWER1 ULTIMATE for all the machines in the xBhp Garage and we cannot be happier. We have covered a fair few kilometres on those motorcycles and despite the conditions, Castrol POWER1 ULTIMATE ensures consistent performance. The Full-Synthetic 5-in-1 Formula has proven to be a magic potion for our motorcycles ensuring our motorcycles’ engines are not only kept cool, smooth, and protected, but also ready for bursts of acceleration with every twist of the throttle. Lastly, its availability in variety of grades makes it an ideal fit for all kinds of motorcycles and they diversity of the xBhp Garage is proof enough.

In terms of performance, the Apache RTR 310 does well for its class. With around 36 horsepower and a kerb weight of 169 kg, it delivers a spirited and lively ride. However, the Ducati Streetfighter is on a whole different level. Weighing just 30 kg more than the RTR 310, it boasts three cylinders, 800cc, and 170 horsepower more, resulting in an insane power-to-weight ratio. To put it in perspective, the TVS Apache RTR 310 will complete 0-100 km/h in 7.19 seconds, while the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S does it in under three.

Performance is also influenced by electronics. The Apache RTR 310 surprised many with its extensive electronic suite, almost as if TVS had something to prove. The Yamaha R15M, for example, also offers a lot of tech but the RTR 310 transcends even that. The 5-inch TFT screen is crisp, with five riding modes, including a Supermoto mode, and an app that provides a plethora of ride data with a voice assist function. The bike even stores your driver’s license and other documents digitally.

It also offers features like crash alerts, GoPro control, a tyre pressure monitoring system, a quickshifter, heated and cooled seats, a 6-axis IMU for cornering ABS and cornering cruise control (which adjusts the bike’s speed based on the lean angle), and throttle-by-wire. And I’m sure I’m missing some.

Another highlight is the bi-LED headlamp that adjusts its brightness depending on speed and ambient light, while the taillight has emergency braking indicators. It also features glide-through technology, which helps in traffic by allowing the bike to move forward when the clutch is slowly released without needing throttle input.

But when you talk about 208 horsepower propelling 199 kg of Ducati, with just a small credit card-sized contact patch keeping all that power grounded, things change. I initially thought that wheelie control would be the most crucial aspect of the Streetfighter V4 S, but even the RTR 310 has it. While some of the electronics on the Apache RTR 310, with its 36 horsepower single-cylinder engine, could be considered a show of strength, the electronics on the Streetfighter are there to prevent crashes and improve performance on the track.

Features like rear cylinder deactivation help manage the massive engine. But even a brand like Ducati can also fall for prioritizing form over function, with the single-sided swingarm being a prime example. The 2025 Streetfighter V4 will feature a conventional two-sided swingarm to provide more rigidity for improved performance. Ultimately, the Streetfighter V4 S has all the features and electronics one can ever need and they’re mostly well deserved.

Now, let’s talk price. If people only bought stuff that was in line with their profession or survival, only professional motorcycle racers would own a motorcycle. But since many people earn money as riders/social media influencers, they probably deserve one too. Coming back to the real world and speaking objectively, a new Apache RTR 310 costs around INR 2.5 lakh (Ex-Showroom) for the base variant. 

In comparison, the base Streetfighter V4 costs around INR 25 lakh (Ex-Showroom). If you break it down by price per horsepower, the Streetfighter comes in at INR 12,000 per horsepower, while the RTR 310 costs INR 6,500 per horsepower. If you base your decision purely on cost efficiency, you’ll know which bike is the better value.

But the riding experience is what truly matters. This includes how the bike feels, how the rider feels it looks on the road, how tractable the engine is, heat management, acceleration, thrill, everyday usability, service and spare costs, reliability, and so on. The Apache RTR 310 will be much easier to manage, park, and service than the Streetfighter.

In hot climates like India, the Apache will also perform better in traffic. It offers more peace of mind, knowing that you don’t need pinpoint throttle control to manage its 36 horsepower. On the other hand, the Streetfighter V4 S is a whole different beast, from its symphonic V4 engine to its insane acceleration, top speed and racebike geometry. There’s no logical comparison here. But both bikes excel at what they do and are a blast to ride.

Lastly, let’s talk about brand value and desirability. TVS has been racing motorcycles since 1982, while Ducati has been racing since 1954, just a few years after India gained independence. It’s remarkable how far TVS has come, especially considering they don’t need performance motorcycles for bread and butter.

It’s no surprise that Ducati holds more brand power and desirability, thanks to decades of engineering, customer loyalty, racing heritage, a global presence, and widespread media presence. But TVS is also getting there. The Apache RTR and RR were unthinkable a few years ago and now they’re the dream bikes for many young riders and even seasoned enthusiasts looking to hone their racing skills on the track.

In the end, both of these motorcycles are capable of delivering an exciting ride, and both can be dangerous if not respected. And once again, I’d like to thank Castrol POWER1 for supporting motorcyclists like me and helping create platforms like xBhp in India. They also produce exceptional engine oils that work equally well in the Apache and larger bikes!