TVS Motor Company recently launched its latest motorcycle, the Ronin, in the Indian market. The company claims it is the first ‘modern-retro’ bike to create its own premium lifestyle segment. TVS designed the Ronin from the ground up, and it draws inspiration from the modern-age rider. After the Apache RR 310, it is the biggest motorcycle TVS offers. The new Ronin will also be available with a host of branded merchandise and custom accessories.
On the other hand, we have the Royal Enfield Meteor 350. The company launched the all-new Meteor in 2020 and has been quite successful in the Indian market. The Meteor debuted the brand’s new 350cc engine, which is now also available with the Classic 350. The engine is a big step up from the previous engine. The Meteor 350 replaced the Thunderbird and Thunderbird X models in Royal Enfield’s lineup.
On paper, even though there is a 125cc difference between the two, they aim to offer the same thing. That is relaxed ergonomics, punchy engine and good long-distance capabilities. In this specification comparison, we pin the two so that it helps you decide if you should go with the latest entrant in the segment or with the tried-and-tested model.
The latest motorcycle in the segment, the TVS Ronin, is available in three variants. These are – SS, DS and TD. The SS is the entry-level single-tone variant, and the DS is the mid-level Dual-Tone variant. Meanwhile, the TD is the top-end Triple-Tone variant.
The Ronin SS comes in two colour options – Lightning Black and Magma Red. The following variant, Ronin DS, is also available in two colour options – Stargaze Black and Delta Blue. Meanwhile, the top-of-the-line TD variant is available in Galactic Grey and Dawn Orange. Furthermore, the DS and TD variants get additional features such as gold-coloured USD forks and stainless steel finish on the muffler end cap.
Pricing for the Ronin starts at INR 1,49,000 ex-showroom for the SS variant. At the same time, the DS and TD variants retail at INR 1,56,500 and INR 1,68,750 ex-showroom, respectively.
The Royal Enfield Meteor is available in three variants. These are – Stellar, Fireball and Supernova. The Stellar variant is available in four colour options – Blue, Red, Black and Pure Black Custom. The Stellar cost INR 2,07,333 ex-showroom Chennai. However, the Stellar Pure Black Custom costs INR 2,09,169 ex-showroom Chennai.
Meanwhile, the Fireball variant is available in six colour options. These are – Matt Green, Blue, Yellow, Red, Black Custom and White Custom. The Fireball variant costs INR 2,01,253 ex-showroom Chennai. The Black Custom and White Custom colour options of the Fireball variant cost INR 2,03,089 ex-showroom Chennai.
The top-end Supernova variant is available in four colour options. These are – Red, Brown, Blue and Silver Custom. All Supernova colour options except for the Silver Custom retail at INR 2,17,469 ex-showroom Chennai. The Supernova Silver Custom retails at INR 2,19,306 ex-showroom Chennai.
TVS is using a new 225.9cc single-cylinder 4-valve SOHC engine for the Ronin. The fuel-injected oil-cooled motor makes 20.4 PS of power at 7,750 rpm and 19.93 Nm of torque at 3,750 rpm. The Ronin uses a 5-speed gearbox with a slip and assist clutch. It also features TVS’ Glide-Through-Technology (GTT) for easier riding in city traffic. The engine also features an ISG for feather touch ignition. Also standard on the Ronin are two riding modes – Rain and Urban.
On the other hand, Royal Enfield’s Meteor uses a 349cc single-cylinder air and oil-cooled fuel-injected motor. It produces 20.2 HP of power at 6,100 rpm and 27 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The Meteor also uses a balancer shaft to reduce vibrations compared to the older engine. As for the gearbox, it uses a 5-speed unit with a multi-plate wet clutch.
The TVS Ronin uses Showa-sourced 41 mm upside-down forks at the front and a 7-step adjustable monoshock at the rear. As for the brakes, the Ronin uses a 300 mm disc at the front and a 240 mm disc at the back. The SS and DS variants get single-channel ABS, while the TD variant comes with Dual-channel ABS. The motorcycle rides on 110/70-section front and 130/70 section rear tyres with 9-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.
On the other hand, the Royal Enfield Meteor uses 41 mm telescopic forks at the front and 6-step preload-adjustable twin shocks at the back. The braking setup consists of a 300 mm disc at the front and a 270 mm disc at the rear. Dual-channel ABS is standard across the range. The Meteor rides on a 100/90 section front tyre with a 19-inch alloy rim at the front. Meanwhile, the rear uses a 140/70 section rear tyre with a 17-inch alloy rim.
The TVS Ronin measures 2,040 mm in length, 805 mm in width and 1,170 mm in height. The wheelbase and seat height of the Ronin is 1,357 mm and 795 mm. It tips the scales at 159 kg. However, at 160 kg, the TD variant is 1 kg heavier than the SS and DS variants. The fuel tank capacity of the Ronin is 14 litres.
Meanwhile, the Royal Enfield Meteor measures 2,140 mm in length, 845 mm in width and 1,140 mm in height (without mirrors). The Supernova variant, which comes with a windscreen as standard, has a height of 1,310 mm. The wheelbase of the Meteor is 1,400 mm. Thus, the Meteor is a larger motorcycle than the Ronin in all dimensions. However, Meteor’s seat height of 765 mm is 30 mm lower than the Ronin. The Meteor tips the scales at 191 kg. Thus, making it about 30 kg heavier than the Ronin. Meanwhile, the fuel tank capacity of the Meteor is 15 litres.
Also Read: 225cc TVS Ronin motorcycle launched in India at INR 1.49 lakh