TVS Ronin

“Have you seen the TVS Ronin lately? The other day I got to take it for a spin and to be honest, I didn’t think that I would end up liking it as much as I did. Here, TVS really took a bold step, and it’s one of those bikes that the more you spend time with, just it grows on you.

Design & Look

Just like I was on about the looks, first. Ronin is this unique neo-retro design that’s both scrambler and cruiser in the same space. It is an odd combo at first, but trust me, it pulls it off some how. That T shaped DLR is definitely something about it — it gives the headlamp a kind of smirking expression all of its own, almost as if it’s saying, ‘Yeah I know I’m different!’ There’s that chunky fuel tank and those slightly raised handlebars, for example. You won’t see it as overly aggressive, or even mean looking, but there’s definitely some attitude in the way it stands, like that cool, laid back dude who doesn’t have to raise his voice to get noticed.

To be honest, it’s refreshing because it doesn’t try too hard to fit a certain mold. It’s no wannabe sportbike, nor hardcore cruiser. Just a laid back all rounder at it’s own style. It’s kind of like a Yamaha FZX, but I think the Ronin’s a bit more proportionate, a bit more purposeful. It just doesn’t scream for attention and everything about its design just clicks.

Engine & Performance

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But it’s when you look at performance that it gets really interesting. The engine power is a 225.9cc single cylinder engine that produces 20 horsepower and 19.93 Nm of torque. On paper, that doesn’t sound like a lot, but out there on the road, between the bottom and mid-end, it has a good time. I twisted the throttle up and got a smooth, linear pull, just perfect for darting through city traffic. By no means are you going to have your hair blown back on the highway, but for day to day commuting and the occasional weekend spin it has more than enough grunt.

The one thing that really surprised me about the engine, though, was just how refined it felt, none of the unnecessary vibrations even when I pushed harder a bit. And that’s the one thing you really can’t say about some of its rivals, such as the Bajaj Avenger or even the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. They buzz and shake a little bit, but this one? All the way, just smooth and composed. And the 5-speed gearbox? It shifts effortlessly. There was none of the ‘notchy’ feeling you sometimes get with bikes of this type, which is a welcome change.

Features

The feature set was one of the things that really caught my eye. Tech here was never skimped on by TVS. Once you get past the pouting about no gauges and not being able to see how fast or slow you’re going, you get a digital instrument cluster not just loaded with info, but that connects to your smartphone. You’ve got navigation, call alerts — you name it. It’s not something you need every day, where you’re going home from the office, but when you’re out cruising new roads, it’s one of those features you like to have. And get this: On top of that, it’s got Glide Through Technology, so you can… you can just crawl through traffic without even touching the throttle. So just release the clutch slowly and it’ll smoothly roll forward and lets face it that’s perfect for bumper to bumper traffic. But it’s a little thing that truly makes a big difference in the city.

And of course it’s dual channel ABS. So I tried a few hard stops and it felt rock solid. No drama, no skidding; just smooth confidence braking. It really comes out ahead of a few competitors like the Jawa 42, which still comes with single-channel ABS on the base models. The Ronin feels a cut above with small stuff like this.

Ride & Handling

What really threw me was how well it handles. I mean, it’s definitely a cruiser vibe, but it’s actually maneuverable for what it is. However, this comfortable, upright position is borne of the low seat height and slightly forward set footpegs. It felt like an easy glide and I could have ridden it for hours without becoming cramped or tired. And the suspension also is tuned just right. The bumps are soaked up by the front USD forks and the rear monoshock, meaning you won’t be getting jolted every time you roll over a pothole. You don’t usually get that feeling of floating on the road at this price.

I recently had a go on the Royal Enfield Meteor 350, and that has the classic cruiser charm, but the Ronin felt a bit more versatile. They almost seem to be able to switch personalities depending how you ride it. Just want to chill and cruise? It’s totally down for that. It’s agile enough to keep up, but if you want to go attack some twisty backroads. It’s not going to be as sharp as a full on sport bike but it’s got enough confidence that it can have fun with. I didn’t think you could get that from a bike that looks as laid back as this.

Pricing & Rivals

And here’s the kicker: the price. The Ronin has been really well positioned competitively by TVS. Despite priced below the likes of the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and the Jawa 42, the aesthetics and refinement on offer is hard to match by many of the bigger bikes. Indeed, the Hunter 350 has that classic Enfield charm, the Jawa has a little bit of that retro vibe going on, but the Ronin’s all like, ‘Yo, I’m modern, I’ll do anything for you, I’ve got all the bells and whistles without having to touch your pockets at the end of it.’ If you’re looking for something that’s not just a cruiser or a street bike but a little bit of everything, it’s worth a look.

That’s my take on the TVS Ronin so yeah. There’s a bit of everything—style, features and a great ride. What do you think? Or are you more a classic cruiser type than somebody that would play into your vibe?