Is The CFMoto 300SR Capable To Lock Horns With The Apache RR 310?

Published March 2, 2020
Views : 12639
3 min read

Can this Chinese supersport hold its own against its Indian rival?

On the surface, you might think that the CFMoto 300SR is a slap-on job on the 300NK rather than a whole new bike itself. However, the only similarities between the Chinese brand’s naked and the supersport is the engine and the frame. Even the engine tune is altered to suit the racy supersport. Hence, how does this CFMoto stack up against the TVS Apache RR 310 BS6, the current king of versatile sub-400cc supersport of India.

Powertrain:

	CFMoto 300SR	TVS Apache RR 310 BS6
Specs	292.4cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled DOHC	312.2cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled DOHC
Max Power	29.09PS @ 8,750rpm	34PS @ 9,700rpm
Peak Torque	25.3Nm @ 7,250rpm	27.3Nm @ 7,700rpm
Transmission	6-speed	6-speed

Being 5PS and 2Nm low on the Apache is not ideal for the CFMoto. This makes it one of the least powerful bikes in this segment. And this is a Euro 4-compliant motor. Once it updates to Euro 5 (and with it logically to BS6), expect the engine to lose out marginally on performance.

With the addition of ride-by-wire, TVS has managed to provide four rider modes for the RR 310 BS6. While these modes aren’t too necessary, the restricted power modes help the bike while commuting. This is done by altering the torque curve with more torque now produced at lower revs.

Underpinnings:

	CFMoto 300SR	TVS Apache RR 310 BS6
Frame	Tubular split trellis frame	Tubular split trellis frame
Front suspension	37mm USD fork	41mm USD fork
Rear suspension	Aluminium swingarm with monoshock	Aluminium swingarm with monoshock
Brakes	Front: 4-piston radial caliper Rear: Single-piston caliper	Front: 300mm disc with four-piston radial caliper Rear: 240mm disc with single-piston caliper
Tyres	Front: 110/70R17 Rear: 140/60R17	Front: 110/70-ZR17 Rear: 150/60-ZR17

On paper, there isn’t much to differentiate between the CFMoto and the TVS bikes. Both are running top-spec hardware, the Apache running a chunkier fork. The new Micheline Road 5 rubber on the TVS has increased grip levels dramatically. However, the CFMoto has a skinnier rear tyre, which should translate into sharper turn-ins.

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Dimension:

	CFMoto 300SR	TVS Apache RR 310 BS6
Wheelbase	1360mm	1365mm
Ground clearance	135mm	180mm
Seat height	780mm	810mm
Kerb weight	165kg	174kg
Fuel tank capacity	12-litres	11-litres

The CFMoto has a 5mm shorter wheelbase than the Apache, which should not make it that much of a difference in the handling of the bikes. However, the more accessible seat height, 9kg of weight saving and the extra litre of fuel that you can carry on board does favour the 300SR. The biggest cause of concern here remains the ground clearance, which at 135mm, is shockingly low. We were concerned with the new BS6 Dukes with their lowered ground clearance of 155mm would mean that the bikes might end up scraping tall speed breakers. This CFMoto is 20mm lower, which would definitely cause heart breaks every time you go over decently sized bumps.

Price (ex-showroom Delhi):

CFMoto 300SR	TVS Apache RR 310 BS6
Rs 2.5 lakh (expected)	Rs 2.40 lakh

Currently, the CFMoto 300NK is priced at Rs 2.29 lakh (ex-showroom India). The supersport could be priced at Rs 20,000 more thanks to the different components on offer. Hence, at Rs 2.50 lakh, the CFMoto bike could be a bit pricier compared to the Apache. This pricing could be on par with the more powerful, KTM RC 390 BS6, which is priced at Rs 2.48 lakh.

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