A lot of the big Indian motorcycle manufacturers have enjoyed a pretty solid 2024. Big names like Bajaj, Royal Enfield, and TVS all made headlines on multiple occasions thanks to the new models and tech innovations they brought to the market.
But just as 2024 is about to draw to a close, TVS has managed to yet again make headlines, and it’s thanks to a bike that just might be the biggest thing to come out of the Indian brand’s portfolio.
We’ve been raving on and on about how small-displacement adventure bikes have been all the rage lately. Executive Editor Jonathon Klein had some huge praises for Royal Enfield’s Himalayan 450. In a similar manner, I had quite a lot of good things to say about the CFMoto Ibex 450. And while these two bikes are well and truly global models, there are a lot of Indian-market bikes that we wish would make their way to the global stage. And one of them just has to be this new ADV bike from TVS.
Although not quite unveiled in all its glory just yet, the new ADV machine is speculated to be the RTX 300. It was recently spotted testing on India’s busy streets by someone who goes by the Instagram handle Domi_Raptor, and judging from the way it looks, as well as the supposedly new engine that’s powering it, well, it just might be the perfect recipe for a capable beginner ADV bike.
So, what lies beneath the surface? Well, for starters, the new model is supposedly equipped with the latest innovation to come out of TVS HQ, and that’s the RT-X4D engine. In true TVS fashion, this engine’s a workhorse and takes the form of a 300cc single-cylinder engine. Claimed output is around 35 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 28.5 Nm (around 21 pound-feet) of torque at 7,000 rpm.
In contrast to the 312cc engine found in the likes of the Apache 310 and BMW G 310 models, the RT-X4D is said to be more approachable in that it has a more linear powerband—something that off-road riders will enjoy, given that it promises more control across the bottom and middle of the rev range.
And as for the bike itself, well, it’s every inch an adventure bike, sporting a bulbous front fairing, a tall windscreen, and the ability to carry luggage. It also seems to have a rather low seat height, making it accessible to a wider range of riders, as well as dual-sport tires that seem to be more oriented towards on-road use. Interestingly, the test mule seems to be decked out in some adventure-ready goodies, too. It’s rocking an engine guard with mounted auxiliary lights, as well as a rear-mounted luggage rack complete with a massive top case.
At present, there’s no word from TVS just yet regarding the launch of the supposed RTX 300. But the word around the block is that it’ll start hitting Indian roads towards the tail end of 2025. Once available, it’ll go up against the likes of the Royal Enfield Himalayan, KTM 390 Adventure (assuming KTM’s still around by then), BMW G 310 GS, Yezdi Adventure, and Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX.
Sources: ZigWheels, Domi_Raptor via Instagram
