TVS Ronin, Track Test

'The Ronin is a step in a new direction for TVS. And, for its first attempt, TVS does get a few things right with the Ronin. As a motorcycle, it’s a very well-engineered product.' – Shivank Bhatt

The Ronin is a step in a new direction for TVS. And, for its first attempt, TVS does get a few things right with the Ronin. As a motorcycle, it’s a very well-engineered product. Be it the fit-and-finish, paint quality, or touch-and-feel of the plastic bits, the Ronin exudes a rich and premium feel. Then, there’s the powertrain. It’s powered by an all-new 226cc single-cylinder engine, which develops 20bhp and 20Nm. In daily riding, this engine will keep you entertained with its peppy performance. The torque spread is linear, and the engine offers decent poke at low and mid revs, meaning it’s tractable in every environment. It’s quite a free-revving motor too – it redlines at 9,200rpm. That said, the acceleration begins to taper off post 7,000rpm; plus, it also gets quite buzzy at high rpm. However, its short-ratio 5-speed gearbox helps you to extract every ounce of performance – yes, even at the track.

Despite being a laidback motorcycle, Ronin’s handling is pretty tidy. While it’s not the sharpest tool out on the track, the balance and stability of the chassis are phenomenal. Thanks to its beefy front forks – which are lifted directly from the Apache RR 310 – the Ronin has a delectable front end. Of course, the suspension is tuned for a softer and more absorbent ride, but at no point does it feel lousy. It feels more like a naked motorcycle when you ride it aggressively. And, as you might have seen already, Simran managed to post a pretty decent lap time.

But, now, it’s time to address the elephant in the room – the Ronin’s design. Saying it’s polarising would be a bit of an understatement. While there’s nothing wrong with the design per se, the Ronin comes across as a motorcycle with a confused identity. On top of that, the Ronin – despite being more or less mechanically faultless – comes at a premium price. It’s priced even higher than the Royal Enfield Hunter. Agreed, the TVS offers more kit, features, and better ride quality, but, then, if you’re buying a motorcycle purely for leisure riding and nostalgia, how can you look past a Royal Enfield with a bigger engine as well as a classier and more cohesive design?

TVS Ronin (Lap Time – 01:28.4)

PARAMETERS	POINTS	SCORE
QUALITY	10	7.5
COMFORT & PRACTICALITY	10	8
REFINEMENT	10	7.5
DESIGN	10	6
DRIVETRAIN	10	7
RIDE & HANDLING	10	8
X FACTOR	15	8
LAP TIME	5	0.6
VALUE FOR MONEY	20	14
TOTAL	100	66.6