KTM Duke & RC 390 selling nearly DOUBLE of the TVS Apache RR 310

The TVS Apache RR 310 seems to be settling at a steady monthly sales number of around 350 units, and this also means that the KTM Duke 390 and RC 390 are outselling it by nearly double. In September 2018, KTM sold 675 units of the Duke 390 and RC 390. TVS Motors managed to push out 350 units of the Apache RR 310 – the flagship product sold by the company.

Both the KTM Duke 390 and RC 390 are pricier than the TVS Apache RR 310 but offer better value. This is a big factor  that is working in their favour and bringing in the consistent sales numbers month after month. The KTM Duke 390 is priced at Rs. 2.42 lakhs while the RC 390 sells at Rs. 2.37 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. The TVS Apache RR 310 is priced at Rs. 2.23 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi.

While the KTMs offer a 373cc, liquid cooled single cylinder four stroke engine with up to 44 Bhp-37 Nm outputs, the TVS Apache 310 has a similar engine configuration displacing 311cc, and making 34 Bhp-27 Nm. As is clearly evident, the Apache makes much less power and torque than the KTM 390s. All three motorcycles do get 6 speed manual gearboxes and dual channel ABS as standard but the KTMs also have a slipper clutch on offer.

Now, since pricing of the TVS Apache 310 – a fully faired motorcycle – is just slightly lower than that of the KTM RC  390 – the biggest differentiating point of the former is styling. The TVS Apache 310 looks a lot fresher as it’s  newer. Also, the bike feels a lot more substantial than the KTM RC 390, and is more attractive for those who want big  street presence.

In pure performance terms though, the KTM 390s have the measure of the TVS Apache 310. Another key area that makes the TVS Apache RR 310 more attractive than the KTM RC390 is the ergonomics. The Apache is more relaxed to ride than the more extreme, sharper, nimbler KTM. However, since KTM also has the Duke 390 – which has a more upright street  oriented design and ergonomics – it’s managing to attract both the regular street rider with the Duke and the one who wants a focused track bike with the RC. It’s about time that TVS comes up with a street focused naked version of the Apache RR 310, similar to the BMW G 310R.