Motorcycle specifications TVSRTX 300 2026 The Indian Squirrel

Some players are moving cautiously, confident in their strength and aware that they must first explore the market before taking it by storm. TVS has the resources to follow this path. This Indian manufacturer launched a small 50 cc model in 1980; two years later, it partnered with Suzuki; 30 years later, it acquired Norton, one of Britain’s most iconic brands.

A Pocket-Sized Trail Bike

Although firmly established in its home market, TVS is entering France without fanfare, with a lineup of small-displacement bikes. But the lineup is already diverse enough to cater to various uses: a roadster, a scooter, a sport bike, and this RTX 300 trail bike with the profile of a little conqueror.

It does a pretty good job of showcasing this little crossover. Since Europe has a penchant for road-oriented trail bikes, it’s considered good form to have a model in your lineup that exudes adventure on the road—without necessarily needing to venture off-road. In fact, with its spoke wheels and dual-purpose tires, the RTX will only venture onto lightly worn forest trails—even if its skid plate tries to suggest otherwise.

Elegantly designed, both serious and light, the bike has a commanding presence. It’s a far cry from the cliché of a makeshift utility vehicle cobbled together on the streets of Mumbai to transport goats. Serious without being over the top, it aims to showcase the genre’s maturity to make a good impression as the new kid on the block.

The task looks daunting: the “small-displacement” trail bike category starts at over 400 here (500 KLE, F 450 GS, 450 MT, NX 500, etc.). With its 299.1 cm³ single-cylinder engine, the RTX seems a bit frail in this category. But it’s no slouch: it performs valiantly for its size, delivering 36 chevaux at 9,000 rpm—just 4 ch less than its compatriot, the R.E. 450 Himalayan. Torque isn’t particularly high at 2.9 mkg, but the bike as a whole will have enough power for suburban scenery and off-road rides on unpaved trails.

Pockets and fenders full

When it comes to looks, the RTX holds its own. As for the engine, it’s geared toward a less demanding audience than the one drawn to the rising stars of the category. On the other hand, when it comes to features, TVS lands a direct hit: traction control, a rear-wheel ABS that can be disabled, 4 riding modes (Urban / Tour / Rally / Rain), an Up&Down shifter, a 5-inch color TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, tire pressure monitoring, an anti-hopping clutch, a luggage rack, an inverted fork, an aluminum swingarm, and LED lighting. That’s quite the package, and the price is sure to be another surprise.

The TVS 300 RTX is expected to be priced just over 5,000 euros—nearly on par with a Honda CB 125 R. This puts into perspective India’s aggressive pricing strategy, which is even more cutthroat than China’s.
While it may seem underhanded to the competition, it’s built to be rugged for its intended use, with a steel trellis frame, a 41-mm fork, 180 mm of suspension travel, enough ground clearance (200 mm) to get away with a few stunts, a large 320-mm brake disc, and a 12.5-liter fuel tank.
However, even with all these appealing features, there are a few shortcomings to contend with. No standard USB port, a fairly hefty weight of 180 kg, and an engine that’s reputed to vibrate (to be confirmed).

A wayward youngster or a clever little thing?

With the RTX 300, TVS is showing a nice little hand. Not without charm, with a squirrel-like frame and well-equipped, it brings a touch of beauty to hard work in its home territory. In Europe, it will have to prove that this same hard work doesn’t necessarily require brute force.

M.B. – Manufacturer photos