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It looks fast, but goes faster.

Even though it has a 312cc engine, its performance can leave 400cc motorcycles to dust.

And it’s so quick that if you lean backwards and open the throttle, you risk a wheelie (front wheel lifting off the ground).

This motorcycle is not for beginners.

What is it?

It’s the new Apache RTR 310 – the flagship motorcycle by TVS – and competes with bikes such as Yamaha MT03, Bajaj Pulsar NS400z, and KTM 250 Duke. Prices start at Rs 2,39,990, exshowroom.

How does it look?

It’s got an unapologetically aggressive design – muscular fuel tank, upsidedown telescopic forks in golden colour, low rider seat and high pillion seat, transparent clutch cover that shows the intricate workings of the clutch mechanism, headlight and DRLs that look like eyes of an angry cyborg from a Hollywood film, and words such as HyperSpec, Apache, DOHC, and RTR 310 plastered all over the body.

The overall fit and finish, including paint quality and switchgear, is world class.

How does it ride?

It’s powered by the proven 312.2cc petrol engine, and there are five riding modes – Urban, Rain, Sport, Track, and Supermoto – each with slightly different power delivery.

Initial acceleration (in 1st and 2nd gears) is so intense that you have to lean forward to keep the front tyre grounded. But in 3rd and 4th gears, power seems to taper off (or so it appears after the explosive start). In 5th and 6th gears, at speeds above 100 km/h, power delivery is good, and overtaking long vehicles on a highway is a breeze.

Riding position is very good – back straight, knees forming almost a 90degree angle, and wide handlebars mean better control. But the pillion seat is too high – and the rear passenger (or your girlfriend) will keep falling on you most of the time, and especially during braking.

The sixspeed gearbox is slick, and the bidirectional quickshifter enhances the riding experience. The fiveinch colour TFT display is clear and readable even under bright sun.

What about cornering?

It rides on Michelin tyres, which provide solid grip on smooth, clean roads. But you need to tread cautiously on gravel or if there’s a lot of dirt on the road – as the tyres can skid a bit.

Longdistance riding

It’s not an adventure tourer, and yet is fairly comfortable on highways – it also gets cruise control. The rider’s seat has dense cushioning and is likely to be comfortable over long distances.

Areas of improvement

It’s a lot better than the outgoing RTR 310, but you do feel a lot of vibrations at high RPMs. The stiff suspension, while great on smooth roads and on a race track, makes riding a bit uncomfortable on broken roads.

Is it the best in segment?

It’s got a small engine with a big grunt. It’s high on technology and features, on throttle response, on build quality, and on design. It also makes you realise that you don’t need a large engine for monstrous performance.