TVS Motorcycles launches in SA (2026) First Ride Review

TVS Motor Company is the third-largest two-wheeler manufacturer in India, with revenue exceeding $ 2.9 billion, annual sales of over 3 million units, and a capacity to produce 4 million vehicles annually. TVS also has its proverbial fingers in a lot of other pies, from digital products to drones and even owns Norton motorcycles, but more on that later. The brand has had a presence in South Africa before through ETG Logistics, which was unfortunately a bit of a false start. Despite being rather quiet over the last few years, we had sampled their products before.

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In a recent move, TVS has changed its distributor, and the Indian-built machines are now available through the Nexus Collective, which comprises TVS Global, Yamaha South Africa, and Bidvest. We attended the local relaunch to see what the TVS Group has in store for South Africa.

TVS Apache 310 RR (2023) Review

Model rollout

TVS is officially launching in South Africa as an OEM, bringing seven models to market. TVS is keeping things small, as in engine size, and the biggest machine they will have for now is the TVS Apache 310 RR, but there is more to this than just small commuter machines. TVS is planning to re-invigorate the small motorcycle market, offering entry-level bikes for youngsters, commercial offerings for the delivery bike segment and halo models for lifestyle riders. Let's take a look at what TVS will be rolling out across SA.

Raider 125

Powered by a 125cc single-cylinder engine that delivers 12.9kW and 11.5Nm, the Raider is aimed at younger riders and last-mile transporters as a viable mobility solution. It's super nippy and was the pick of the litter for many of the riders on the day.

NTORQ 125 Scooter

The NTORQ is a stylish urban mobility solution aimed once again at youngsters and suburban female riders. It gets a 125cc petrol engine with a CVT, delivering 6.9kW and 10.5Nm, making it a snazzy little runabout. It is a super fun little runabout and had most of the guys smiling from ear to ear as the "Race" mode was employed. 

Apache 200 4V

The naked street machine features a 159cc single-cylinder engine and modern electronic systems, plus multiple ride modes for discerning riders. It puts out 15.2kW and 17.25Nm in its Sport mode. This was the preferred machine we saw many riders gravitate toward, and currently has two options: a carb version, which will only be around as long as stocks last, and the EFi (electronic fuel injection) version, which seemed to handle our altitude better.

Apache RR310

If you are familiar with the BMW 310 GS, then you will recognise the Apache 310RR. It is TVS's racebred machine, equipped with a 312cc single-cylinder engine that pumps out 25kW and 27.3Nm, has a top speed of 160km/h, and can do the 0-60km/h sprint in 2.93 seconds. For teh traditional motorcycle media, this was the machine that most of the guys gravitated toward for roadside pictures, but was surprisingly not the one most wanted to ride.

TRAK 150

This is where TVS will cover the costs. The TRAK 150 is the delivery bike gem that fleet owners will be buying in droves. TVS SA has already sold 800 units to Uber for its two-wheeled taxi service, which has grown around Johannesburg. The TRAK 150 is powered by a single-cylinder 4-stroke 150cc engine that delivers 8.8 kW and 12.3 Nm and has been specifically engineered to carry loads over the rear wheel. The drum brakes do take some getting used too but that USB port was super helpful when some emergency charging was needed.

HLX 125

The HLX series has done wonders for TVS across Northern, Eastern, and Western Africa and is probably the brand's best-selling model in rural, developing areas. The HLX125 gets a 124cc single-cylinder engine that delivers 8.1kW and 10.8Nm, with a fuel capacity of 14L. This one and its bigger sibling are made with load carrying in mind and have large barge boards for rear passengers to place their feet.

HLX 150

The HLX 150 gets a 147cc single-cylinder air-cooled unit that produces 9kW and 12.3Nm and is the workhorse of the TVS range. TVS claims to have sold over 4 million of these across Africa and has high hopes for the model in South Africa's rural areas. The 150 gets up to quite a speed, and it is quite fun to ride and does come across as a bit of a workhorse or mule, and we can see the appeal.

Models and Pricing

* All TVS models are sold with a 36 Month / 30 000km warranty 

Final thoughts

TVS is putting all its eggs in one basket with this initial product offering. They are not aiming to usurp market share but rather to grow the market and change South African consumers' mindset about two-wheeled mobility. We are starting to see a shift in this mindset, with services like Uber Moto surfacing in urban areas, where riders offer motorcycle-based Uber services, and the service is exploding in popularity. TVS is also planning more models over time that hail from its racing stable, and then there's Norton, the famed British marque that is TVS' big bike. We'll be keeping an eye on the rollout of the TVS brand through the initial 9 dealers in the Yamaha dealer network, and we eagerly await the 20-dealer growth TVS expects. TVS has priced the bikes in its current stable on point, and it now just remains to be seen if the Indian brand can change the minds of mobility-seeking Saffers.