TVS Apache RTX 300 vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has been the kingpin in the Indian market for adventure motorcycles for a long time. Even with the competitors like the Yezdi Adventure, and KTM 390 Adventure coming up, the Himalayan 450 is still the ruling one, and thus, it got the title of the best-selling mid-level adventure bike. TVS recently ventured into the adventure segment with the Apache RTX 300 powered by a promising engine and modern features with a price range that is not too high. Let us check out how the Himalayan 450 is in comparison to the latest adventure offering from TVS.
Design
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 takes advantage of a brand new 450 cc platform and gives ruggedness and adventure-ready look more than its ancestor the 411. It synthesizes the retro period with modern era and has a tall stance and highly raised handlebars that make off-road capability great and comfort also enhanced.
The TVS Apache RTX 300, on the other hand, is more contemporary and has taken its inspirations from the rally bikes. The motorcycle has a taller stance, the segment’s brightest LED headlamp with optional front beak and a tall visor that goes along with the tough adventure styling making it aggressive. The RTX 300 looks modern and urban at the same time while still being an off-road ready bike.
Dimensions
The Himalayan 450 is a bike that has the biggest wheelbase of 1510 mm and at the same time the highest ground clearance 230 mm, which allows it to be unbeatable when it comes to overcoming rough terrains. The RTX 300 has a somewhat shorter wheelbase of 1430 mm and 200 mm of ground clearance which makes it a city and twisty road bike out of a nimble one.
The Himalayan 450 with its 17-litre fuel tank, which is perfect for long-distance adventure rides, is a clear winner over the RTX 300, which is equipped with a 12.5-litre tank, that is more appropriate for urban and short touring needs. The weight at the kerb of both bikes is almost the same, around 180-181 kg, but the dimensions of the Himalayan highlight endurance whereas the RTX 300 is about agility.
Engine
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has a 452cc single-cylinder that is water cooled and generates power of 40.02 HP at 8000 RPM and torque of 40 Nm at 5500 RPM. The RTX 300 is equipped with a 299.1cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that delivers 35.5 hp at 9000 rpm and 28.5 Nm of torque at 7000 rpm.
The RTX 300, despite its smaller engine displacement, still captivates with its high-revving performance, which is an edge which makes it sporty and fun on curvy roads. On the other hand, the Himalayan gives more than enough power and torque to handle heavy touring and even off-road adventures. Both motorcycles have a 6-speed gearbox; the Himalayan gives prominence to stability and comfort for long rides, while the RTX 300 is designed for performance-oriented handling.
Suspension and Safety
At the front, the Himalayan 450 has 43mm USD forks and a mono-shock of linkage type at the rear. It is fitted with spoked wheels and tubeless tyres with dimensions of 90/90-21 for the front and 140/80-17 for the rear. The front has a 320mm disc and the rear a 270mm disc for braking, and both work with dual-channel ABS.
The RTX 300 features 41mm USD forks at the front and a mono-shock with a floating piston at the rear. It has alloy wheels and is fitted with tubeless tyres sized 110/80-19 at the front and 150/70-17 at the back. The brake system comprises 320mm front and 240mm rear discs, and the bike is also equipped with dual-channel ABS that has a switchable rear option. While both motorcycles are equipped with advanced safety features, the RTX 300 takes the lead with its additional features such as switchable ABS and modern alloy wheels.
Features and Technology
Adventure riders are provided with the full range of tech gadgets in the Himalayan 450 such as USB Type-C charging, ride-by-wire with riding modes, LED headlamp, LED tail lamp, and so on.
On the other hand, the Apache RTX 300 is quite a technology-filled bike with a dual Class D symmetric LED headlamp, LED taillight, 5-inch TFT display, riding modes such as Urban, Rain, Tour, and Rally, TVS SmartXonnect with map mirroring, phone connectivity, media controls, cruise control, quickshifter, auto and dynamic headlamps, multi-level traction control, and switchable ABS. TVS is definitely making the RTX 300 their top choice for a modern, feature-laden motorcycle for the tech-savvy riders that are looking for performance and comfort.
Price
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450’s price tag is set at ₹3.05 Lakhs (ex-showroom) which basically tells us that this is an entry-level priced and mid-level adventure bike with a tough body and good touring capabilities. The TVS Apache RTX 300, on the other hand, has a much lower price of ₹1.99 Lakhs (ex-showroom) which makes it the best deal for beginners wanting to get into the adventure biking world without sacrificing features or looks.
It is true that the Himalayan 450 is the best choice for adventurous spirits who want a bike that lasts and is comfortable for long rides, but the TVS RTX 300 attracts a larger number of customers in the segment by providing the latest technology, ease of use, and sporty look at an attractive price.
