UPHILL BATTLE

Killer looks, a brilliant chassis, and a loaded feature list – but does the Apache RTX have what it takes to be the new segment leader?

- KARAN MATHUR

TVS has finally stepped into the most competitive and fastest-growing motorcycle segment in India – adventure touring. With the all-new Apache RTX, the company isn’t merely testing the waters; it’s staging a full-scale assault on a battlefield ruled by heavyweights like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and the Triumph Scrambler 400X. So, expectations, naturally, are immense – after all, the Apache name has a history of racing performance both on and off the tarmac. The RTX seems to be ready for the battle, with an impressive spec sheet, and a clear intent to challenge the class leaders. But as we discovered on the winding, weather-beaten roads of Himachal, designing a capable ADV is one thing, but building one that can dethrone established, character-rich icons, is quite another.

DRESSED TO KILL

The Apache RTX’s strongest weapon is, without doubt, its design. Here, TVS has absolutely nailed the brief. The bike exudes European sophistication and substantial road presence. In a segment where looking the part is half the war won, the RTX arrives fully armed. The front end commands attention with its high-mounted fender and sharp, twin-pod Class D LED headlamps, echoing design cues from premium adventure bikes like the Triumph Tiger. Some may call it derivative, but the execution feels cohesive and confident – in simple terms, it works. It has a big-bike aura that belies its price tag, further amplified by the muscular 12.5-litre fuel tank with crisp, modern lines flowing neatly into a slim, rally-style tail section.