TVS Apache RR 310 ARRC Ride - Mandalika Monster

Finding yourself on a world-class racetrack isn’t exactly a once-in-a-lifetime experience in my line of work. But getting to ride a race-prepped motorcycle on a MotoGP circuit? Now that’s a different story altogether. In fact, if I’m being honest, that’s something that had never happened in my ten-year-long career as an auto journalist – until now.

A few weeks ago, I was in Indonesia for what can only be described as a surreal experience. It was one of those rare moments that remind you exactly why you fell in love with this profession in the first place. Because that day, I got to swing a leg over the most extreme version of TVS’ flagship — the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) One-Make Apache RR 310.

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A Decade-Long Connection

Before diving into the details of my on-track adventures, I have to confess – I’ve always had a soft spot for the Apache brand. And not without reason. The original Apache 150, launched in 2005, was the motorcycle on which I first learned to ride. Then, in 2009, I bought my very first motorcycle — an Apache RTR 180. Over the next five years, I clocked more than 70,000 kilometres on it, and to this day, many of my most cherished motorcycling memories are linked to that machine.

Fast-forward to 2018, and another Apache joined my garage — the Apache RR 310. It was an equally rewarding experience, both to ride and to own. So, when the opportunity came to ride the ARRC-spec RR 310 on a MotoGP circuit — the stunning Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia — it was more than just a press ride.

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To top it all off, the ride coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Apache brand. What better way to celebrate an old pal’s milestone birthday than to go flat-out on one of the most exotic race circuits on the MotoGP calendar?

Devil in the Details

The race-spec TVS Apache RR 310 you see here is the motorcycle that’s used by racers, from as many as 12 nationalities, in the ARRC One-Make Championship. So, what makes the ARRC One-Make Apache RR 310 so special? Well, it might be easier to ask — what isn’t special about it?

Think of this machine as the most extreme, race-focussed evolution of the road-going Apache RR 310. Apart from the frame, it shares virtually nothing with the production motorcycle. The bodywork is full carbon fibre. It tips the scales at just 119kg (dry) — over 50kg lighter than the standard model.

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The engine retains the same 313cc single-cylinder architecture, but everything inside has been swapped out for lighter and stronger racing components: forged pistons, titanium valves, high-lift cams, a lighter crankshaft, a RAM air intake system, a beefed-up cooling setup, and even a twin-exhaust layout. The result? A 50% jump in power, with the bike now putting out more than 50bhp!

The party piece is its chassis, electronics, and suspension components. You get fully adjustable Öhlins race suspension at both ends, forged wheels, Dunlop race slicks, and upgraded braking hardware. On the electronics side, it packs a quickshifter with blipper, three engine maps, launch control, and a GP-style 1-up, 5-down gearbox. It’s a serious bit of kit — one that can clock a top speed of 216km/h at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand.

Taming the Beast

Compared to Chang, though, Mandalika is a different gravy altogether. You see, it’s not a power circuit; instead, it’s all about extreme lean angles, quick direction changes and high corner speeds.

We had two sessions of 20 minutes each with the bike. My first outing was… let’s say, less than stellar. I was overwhelmed by how aggressive the race-prepped RR 310 felt. The ergonomics were extreme, and my fitness level – or lack thereof – didn’t help. Worse still, I’d forgotten to adjust the footpegs and clip-ons to my liking before heading out. So, five minutes in, my body was stiff as a board. The only thing I remember clearly from that session was how deafeningly loud the bike was!

My lap time? A sluggish 2:35 compared to the 1:45s that the ARRC racers were clocking. But in the second session, things took a turn for the better. Once the mechanics adjusted the ergonomics to suit my frame, the bike suddenly felt friendlier. I could move more freely and focus on what really mattered – the machine and the track. And what a machine it was!

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The ARRC RR 310 is a weapon. The throttle response is instantaneous, the power delivery ferocious, and the acceleration nothing short of mind-bending. The handling is so sharp that the bike felt telepathic through Mandalika’s quick direction changes. The front end darts into corners, and the way it hooks up and drives out of corners is simply scintillating. And then there are the brakes – so powerful that it feels like your lungs might just get sucked out of your body, every time you use them!

However, despite its razor-edge performance, the race RR 310 is surprisingly forgiving once you find your rhythm. And then once you get the hang of it, you just keep getting faster and faster. Want proof? Within just one session, my lap time improve by nearly 20 seconds! And had it not been for the tricky last sector – especially Turns 15 and 16, where I would nearly come to a halt – I could’ve probably shaved off another four or five seconds.

Wrapping it up

To say that the ARRC Apache RR 310 is the most insane single-cylinder motorcycle I’ve ever ridden wouldn’t be an exaggeration. It’s fast, loud, demanding, and downright addictive. But more than anything, it’s a testament to TVS Racing’s unwavering commitment to its craft. To turn a humble entry-level sport bike into a full-blown racing monster takes more than just engineering brilliance or deep pockets – it demands unbridled passion and uncompromising dedication.

"Race on Sunday, Sell on Monday" isn’t just a marketing motto for TVS, it’s a philosophy they swear by. And perhaps, that’s what makes the brand Apache so special for enthusiasts, including myself. Can’t wait for the next iteration of the Apache now, can we?