If the name TVS sounds familiar, then that should come as no surprise, given that the Indian company is the third-largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world. Also, it has had a long-standing working relationship with BMW, producing engines for the German company, most notably the 310 cc single-cylinder unit as found in the G310 models.
At ZA Bikers, our history with TVS isn’t just based on showroom specs; it’s forged in the dust of the open road. Years ago, Dave and Simon took the Apache RTR 180 on an ambitious expedition to Victoria Falls—a journey that saw them ‘raiding’ the falls and pushing those small-capacity engines through some of the toughest conditions Africa has to offer. Having seen the brand’s reliability firsthand in the middle of nowhere, we were particularly keen to see how this latest evolution aims to sharpen TVS’s foothold in the modern small-bike market.
TVS has had a small presence in the South African market before now, but that is all about to change as the business giant that is Bidvest has taken over the importation of the brand, with a solid vision to make a serious dent in the small-bike market.
Naturally, that includes a significant play for the delivery bike market, which should be no problem in terms of product, as the Indian market alone accounts for millions of such motorcycles every year, so the products have been well-developed and thoroughly tested.
The TVS model range is expansive, but for the South African market, this has been whittled down to seven models for the time being. This number breaks down into three models for the delivery market and four for what they call the sport/lifestyle/commuting market.
On the delivery side, there are the Trak 150, the HLX150 and the Star 125. The Star is the least expensive – R18,999 – and least powerful – 8.1kW. The HLX150 costs R19,999, and the power output is 9.0kW, while the Trak 150 also costs R19,999 with a power output of 8.8kW.
The Trak 150 comes as standard with a single seat and a heavy-duty carrier, onto which can be bolted a large box. All models come with USB charge sockets and are fitted with drum brakes.
On the sport/lifestyle side, there are, as mentioned, four models: one scooter and three motorcycles.
The scooter is the N-Torq 125 Race Edition, powered by a single-cylinder engine pushing out 6.9kW, driving through a CVT gearbox, so it’s twist-and-go. It’s not a bad-looking scooter at all and, at R23,999, it should appeal to those looking for something cheap and reliable for the daily commute.
The Raider is a naked ‘sports’ model, powered by a 125 cc single, pushing out 12.9kW and featuring a disc front brake and LED lights front and back. The dash is LCD, there’s a small storage space under the seat, and it costs R23,999.
The Apache RTR200 is a very funky-looking naked model, powered by an oil-cooled, four-valve single, pushing out around 20 horsepower. Brakes are disc front and back, and, especially in black, it really looks the part, which could hopefully attract younger buyers. There’s a choice of carburettor and fuel injection, the former costing R34,999 and the latter R44,999.
Finally, there is the Apache RR 310, which, as the name suggests, uses the engine more familiar in the BMW 310 range. Putting out 34 horsepower, the Apache RR 310 offers a top speed of 160 km/h. Twin discs have ABS as standard, suspension is by KYB, lighting is LED, and there’s even an onboard race computer! Price is R64,999.
So much for the bare bones; what about riding impressions? We only had a few kilometres on each model – full road tests will appear on www.zabikers.co.za in due course – and what we found was encouraging to say the least.
Build quality across the range is impressive for the price point, and there’s a little personality, even on the most mundane delivery models.
The Ntorq scooter has more tech and flair than rivals, while the Raider 125 costs less than a Honda CBR125R cost 15 years ago but has features you’d expect on premium European and Japanese brands.
The RTR 200 4V feels polished and refined. Adjustable brake and clutch levers are a nice touch. Fuel injection might add R10,000 over the carburetted model, but it is a worthwhile refinement for ease of everyday use.
The Showa suspension and Bybre callipers work as well as you’d expect, the motor is lively, lighting excellent, the seat is comfortable, and the styling is sharp. There’s even a centre stand.
The top-of-the-range Apache RR 310 deserves its position in the range; sharp looks, respectable performance and a good chassis that gives easy but fun handling. Some details, such as the transparent clutch cover, might seem a bit gimmicky, but, in reality, it adds a nice touch.
Similarly, the TFT dash is loaded with features: riding mode indication, lap timer, and Bluetooth connectivity. Michelin Road 6 tyres are fitted, as are Bybre brake calipers and there’s even an optional quick-shifter.
Even the commercial/delivery models offer excellent build quality and a solid feeling, not often experienced in bikes in this class. They might not grab headlines, but they are the reason that a brand such as TVS move serious volumes globally, not only in India.
As mentioned, we’ll bring you more in-depth assessments of the complete line-up in the near future. But for now, welcome to the world of TVS, a brand that looks set to shake up the small bike market in South Africa.
For more information, head to www.tvsmotor.com
