The Complete TVS Motorcycle Range.
We like launches. They mean that our motorcycle industry is vibrant and strong. Last week, our team went along to the TVS presentation hosted by Bidvest and the Nexus Collective.
TVS is no stranger to South Africa. Indeed, it has had a presence here in various forms over the past couple of decades, but now it boasts a stronger foothold than ever before. It joins Yamaha and Kymco under the umbrella of South Africa’s corporate giant, Bidvest, which has taken on the role of its new importer and distributor. This means more spares, more dealers, more backup, and more models available in our little corner of Africa than ever before.
TVS is one of the big players in India. The factory reportedly produced 4.3 million motorcycles in 2025, selling them in more than 80 countries to a total customer base of 64 million. In 2025, it ranked as the fourth-largest motorcycle company in the world by volume, but by 2026 it had climbed to third, surpassing Bidvest’s other motorcycle brand, Yamaha.
For now, Bidvest is focusing on seven models, ranging from a full-on sports bike down to a 125cc commercial runabout. More are expected in the future, including something for the adventure segment, and something with an extra wheel, but let’s concentrate on what’s available right now.
A group of delegates from the TVS factory in India, along with the team running the motorcycle division of Bidvest’s empire hosted a press launch at Avianto, the famous venue in the even more famous Cradle of Humankind.
Each participant was given a short ride on every model, so here’s a quick rundown on each, starting with the flagship and working down: There are 7 models in the product lineup.
TVS Apache RR 310 – R89,999:
Since before 2017, TVS has partnered with BMW Motorrad, sharing a motor—the 312cc, liquid-cooled, four-valve single. BMW used it in its G310R, G310GS, and later the G310RR, while TVS leaned into the sporting side with the Apache RR 310.
As the photos clearly show, it’s a fully faired sports bike equipped with everything, including downforce wings that are said to provide added stability through corners. It looks seriously aggressive from a distance—and even more so up close.
The frame is a steel trellis design with an intricate web of tubing reminiscent of the original KTM RC8 superbikes—perfect for an industrial avant-garde art exhibition.
The engine remains the same as in 2017, producing 34 hp and 27 Nm of torque, with a top speed around 160 km/h—and that’s in Sports mode…
Yes, it features multiple riding modes, including the more relaxed Urban and Rain settings, each with distinct displays on the large TFT dashboard. There’s also a Track mode that prioritises revs and gear indicators. TVS is hugely proud of its racing pedigree, and this bike does indeed race. It would make an excellent race bike in South Africa, especially at R89,999.
It rides like a proper small sports bike: The engine buzzes eagerly, the quick-shifter offers brief respite before the next gear rockets in. The seating position is forward and sporty but not punishing for longer rides. At 176 kg (kerb), it handles like a compact, agile machine. The KYB suspension isn’t fully adjustable but performs well for this class.
It’s the kind of bike that delivers endless fun without emptying your wallet.
Imagine a grid full of these tearing down the main straight at a local track, ridden by people who’d otherwise find racing prohibitively expensive.
Wouldn’t that be brilliant?
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V – R34,999 (carb) & R44,999 (FI):
The two RTR naked machines carry the Apache name, marking them as part of TVS’s sports division—and that’s exactly what they are. Both are powered by a 197.75 cc (rounded to 200 cc in common parlance), oil-cooled engine delivering around 20 hp and 17 Nm of torque.
The carburettor version, at an attractive R34,999, includes old-school touches like a choke and fuel tap. The fuel-injected model, priced at R44,999, handles varying altitudes effortlessly and features a “Mode” button on the right handlebar to switch throttle response between Sport, Urban, and Rain.
The engine is tuned for strong low-end torque, making it easy to ride, with a top speed around 130 km/h.
Both versions offer Bluetooth connectivity to a smartphone app for navigation, call notifications, and other features once reserved for flagship bikes aimed at the wealthy.
On top of that, it’s easy on the eye with aggressive styling. Combine that with being easy to ride and easy to buy, and you’ve got a great little motorcycle.
Interestingly, our Deon got his motorcycle licence on one of these bikes. “It’s just such an easy bike to ride”, he says.
TVS Raider 125 – R23,999
The Raider is another sporty naked bike, this time in the 125 cc class—making it fully legal for school-going teenagers to ride. Inspired by Bumble Bee…
It looks damn good, which is crucial when trying to impress in the school bike shed. Few will get to ride this “kid’s bike,” but its sharp looks alone will earn admiration from friends and interest from the opposite sex. Unless, of course, it’s a schoolgirl riding it—in which case she’ll be elevated to goddess status, worshipped by all.
The air-cooled single-cylinder engine produces 13 hp and 11.5 Nm of torque, with the emphasis on low-rpm torque for easy riding and the ability to punch through traffic. Top speed hovers around 120 km/h—trouble-free and sensible.
It rounds out the schoolyard appeal with stylish LED lights front and rear, plus a colour LCD screen.
This is a motorcycle that represents freedom for those who previously had none.
TVS NTorq 125 Race Edition scooter – R23,999
Complete with riding modes.
TVS specifically designed the exhaust to sound more like a traditional motorcycle.
The NTorq is TVS’s scooter offering, and South Africans might be surprised to see “Race Edition” emblazoned boldly on it. Here, scooters are often viewed as mere urban runabouts for short trips, but in much of Europe and Asia, there are highly competitive racing series for them.
South Africa has its own scooter-racing history too. Nearly 20 years ago, a group called Scooter101 took over mall parking lots on weeknights for informal racing. There were few rules or governing bodies—it was probably illegal, but no one minded. People from all walks of life turned up with whatever scooter they had, in whatever gear they could muster, and raced.
It grew huge and serious, eventually moving to go-kart tracks with proper rules and rising costs, leading to its gradual decline. Still, those were glorious days that many remember fondly.
The NTorq has a sleek, aggressive racing look and livery. It’s powered by an air-cooled 124 cc engine producing close to 12 hp and 10.5 Nm of torque, with the usual CVT gearbox for point-and-squirt performance, plus an under-seat boot.
What sets it apart is the app connectivity, adding features rarely seen on scooters.
Perhaps it’s time to revive Scooter101 with machines like this? Why not?
TVS Trak 150 and HLX 150 5 Gear – R19,999
While readers of this site might be more excited by the Apaches, these models are what will really interest Bidvest’s bean counters. Around 70% of motorcycles sold in South Africa are for commercial use—it’s by far the most abundant and lucrative segment.
These bikes may not ignite passion in traditional enthusiasts, but they put food on the table for countless people and often transport entire families. And they do so in surprisingly clever ways.
We shouldn’t judge them by horsepower or performance, but by return on investment.
The Trak 150 is geared toward delivery riders, with a smaller seat that positions the rider’s weight forward to balance the large rear rack, designed for heavy boxes full of deliveries.
The HLX 150 is more family-oriented—often the only family transport—with a longer seat and rear floorboards instead of pegs, offering space for more feet (or even the occasional hoof).
Both share nearly identical 147 cc air-cooled engines, built to be simple and near-indestructible, producing around 12 hp and 12 Nm of torque.
The dash has two analogue dials: one for speed with a green zone for the most economical riding, the other for fuel plus a half-circle of lights for gear indication—because knowing your fuel level and gear matters more than redlining. Riders aim to cruise in fifth on the five-speed box with the speedo in the green.
There’s no clock, but there is a USB charging point—and every delivery rider has a phone in a holder displaying the app and time anyway.
Braking is by drums—not Kyalami material, but adequate for urban speeds on bumpy roads. Drums last forever and are cheap to maintain, minimising downtime. The small, skinny, hardy tyres are long-lasting and inexpensive to replace.
These are clever machines achieving more essential goals than their sporty siblings. While satisfying the booming delivery market, we hope they’ll also boost motorcycles as family transport. In South Africa this may not yet be common, but in countries like Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria, it’s the majority. Maybe South Africans can be persuaded too.
TVS Star HLX 125 – R18,999
The Star 125 is much like its bigger 150 cc sibling, but with a smaller engine to reach a wider audience at a lower price. Places like Cape Town often favour 125 cc models, and hopefully this will appeal to more teenagers who find it fits their budget.
It features a four-speed gearbox and outputs a slightly reduced 11 hp and 11 Nm of torque. Otherwise, it’s the same game.
You read the beginning of this lot where we mentioned that we only got to ride each bike for a short time? Initial impressions are very good. The bikes feel well made with quality fit and finish.
With backing from one of the giants in our motorcycle industry, we are quite certain that good things await this brand.
Watch this space for more news.
