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The 2025 TVS Ronin was launched on the Day 2 of Motosoul 4.0. Motosoul is the maker’s annual event.

The press release did not reveal the specifications about the bike apart from usual marketing talk, so here they are:

  • Type: Lightweight modern retro.
  • Engine: 225.9cc, single-cylinder, SOHC, oil-cooled.
  • Output: 20hp at 7,750 RPM and 19.9Nm at 3,750 RPM.
  • Transmission: 5-speed with assist and slipper clutch.
  • Frame: Steel.
  • Suspension: 41mm upside-down forks in front, monoshock with 7-step preload adjustment at the rear.
  • Brakes: 300mm single disc (front), 240mm disc (rear), dual-channel ABS.
  • Wheels: 17-inches (front and rear).
  • Colours: Glacier Silver and Charcoal Ember.
Begin Press Release:

TVS MotoSoul 4.0, the premier celebration of motorcycling organised by the TVS Motor Company, concluded at Vagator, Goa with an impressive display of innovation, diverse racing formats, and pioneering collaborations. On the final day of the festival, the new and refreshed 2025 TVS RONIN was unveiled. The motorcycle, now available in two striking color options—Glacier Silver and Charcoal Ember—perfectly balances timeless retro design with cutting-edge modern features. It has updated vibrant colours, graphics, state-of-the-art connected technology and performance tailored to suit any mood.

 

The final day at TVS MotoSoul 4.0 brought an adrenaline-fueled climax to the thrilling new motorcycle race formats that pushed riders to the limits. From high-speed flat track races and gritty dirt track challenges to intense obstacle courses and more, the competition was fierce and the excitement palpable. These high octane events not only showcased the riders’ skills but also elevated the energy of the festival, bringing together a community united by their shared love for the machine. With each race, the thrill of the ride reached new heights, solidifying TVS MotoSoul as the ultimate celebration of motorcycling passion.

Commenting on the last day of the festival, Mr. Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company said, “TVS MotoSoul 2024, with its theme ‘Feel the Adrenaline, Feel the Inspiration, Feel the Groove,’ has been a true celebration of passion, creativity, and community. With every edition, we aim to elevate the spirit of motorcycling, offering exciting experiences for riders and enthusiasts alike. It is inspiring to see the motorcycling community thrive, and we remain dedicated to creating unique experiences that strengthen the bond between man and machine.”

New Unveil (All New TVS RONIN):

The New TVS Ronin impressed with the unveil of two striking new color options: Glacier Silver and Charcoal Ember. These colors replace the previous Delta Blue and Stargaze Black. The new colours enhance the motorcycle’s lineup and upgrade the mid-variant, reinforcing TVS Motor’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

For the first time, the mid-variant will be equipped with Dual-Channel ABS, which enhances safety and stabiliy for riders. This upgrade creates a more consistent differentiation across all three variants of the TVS Ronin, providing clear distinctions not only in color and graphics but also in functionality.

TVS has launched a new engine platform dubbed the TVS RT-XD4. It promises higher power and torque output, together with enhanced reliability.

The company produces the Apache 310 platform which also serves as the BMW G 310 series. That engine is  313 cc, water-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke unit which produces 34hp at 9,250 RPM and 28Nm at 7,500 RPM.

Start TVS Press Release:

TVS Motor Company (TVSM) – a leading global automaker operating in the two and three-wheeler segment – unveiled its next-gen TVS RT-XD4 engine platform on Day 1 of TVS MotoSoul 4.0. The TVS RT-XD4 is a new, transformative innovation that takes inspiration from the company’s racing heritage over decades. The platform delivers thrilling performance, unmatched refinement and precision, for a very comfortable ride.

Announcing the new engine platform, Sudarshan Venu, Managing Director, TVS Motor Company, said, “The TVS RT-XD4 is a major milestone, the result of our focus on creating unique, compelling, TVS-kind of riding experience. Conceptualised, designed and developed in-house, at our R&D Centre in Hosur, the TVS RT-XD4 is a demonstration of our engineering and research capability. Over the last several years, TVSM has been setting benchmarks in riding excellence, made possible by decades of exposure to the race track, extensive user insights, ahead-of-the-curve investments, and robust tech and digital capability. We will continue to bring about mobility solutions that can transform the quality of life of people across the world.

The TVS RT-XD4 engine platform delivers racing thrill via 4 Dual Technologies :
  • Dual Overhead Cams with downdraft port that delivers high revs and superior peak performance.
  • Dual oil pump with split chamber crankcase that delivers optimum lubrication and all-range torque.
  • Dual cooling jacket cylinder head with water jacket on top and oil jacket below that further increases cooling, to increase performance output.
  • Dual breather system that effectively prevents oil contamination and reduces oil consumption, for consistent performance over long duration.
The engine comes with other features for refined performance and rider comfort:
  • Plasma spray-coating.
  • Superior thermal/heat management.
  • High inertia shell bearing crankshaft.
  • Helical gear driven balancer system.

This new-gen platform delivers high efficiency, while supporting ethanol-blended fuels, reduced emissions, and enhanced reliability.

Key Features of the TVS RT-XD4 Engine:
  • Displacement: 299.1 cc, single-cylinder, forward-inclined engine.
  • Power Output: 34.5hp 9,000 rpm, with 28.5 Nm torque @ 7,000 rpm.
  • Cooling System: Liquid-cooled with dual cooling (water and oil jackets).
  • 6 Speed gear box.
  • Ride-by-wire throttle system.
  • Assist and Slipper clutch.

Day 1 of TVS MotoSoul 4.0:

A day of unique experiences, adventure and Records.

Day 1 of TVS MotoSoul 4.0 was a thrilling showcase of creativity, community, camaraderie and a celebration of engineering excellence. Custom motorcycle builds took center stage, with three extraordinary creations based on the TVS Apache RTR 310 and TVS RONIN, crafted in collaboration with Smoked Garage (Indonesia) and TVS Motor Factory Team (India). Dirt Track Races, Stunt Competitions, Obstacle Races, Slow Bike Races and Flat Track Training sessions kept the riders engrossed.

The creatively inclined, gravitated more towards the center stage to see artist performances, moto-art booths, caricatures and tattoo art, push-up competitions, game rooms and musical performances.

Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company said, “TVS MotoSoul 4.0 is a celebration of everything we stand for, as a premium motorcycle brand — creativity, innovation, and the rider spirit. Aside of our revolutionary performance engine platform that we unveiled, this year’s event also marks the assimilation of different cultures, biker communities and varied art forms. The showcase of custom motorcycles from some of the best builders in the industry, is a personal favourite. With captivating activities, thrilling racing formats, and electrifying performances, MotoSoul 4.0 sets the standard for motorcycling events.”

Adding to the excitement, TVS Motosoul 4.0 celebrated a record-breaking 6,300-kilometer ride on the Golden Quadrilateral, atop the TVS NTORQ. Two accomplished riders – Syed Asif Ali and Shamin Khan – now have recognition from the Asia Book of Records for achieving the feat.

The day was packed with dynamic experiences, including panel discussions, freestyle acts, interactive zones, and electrifying performances by Kalamkaar and DJs Akthar & Clement, setting the tone for the festival.

The Triumph Rocket 3 Evel Knievel Limited Edition has been launched as an homage to the stunt legend. The special edition is available for both the Rocket 3 R and Rocket 3 GT variants.

Robert Craig ‘Evel’ Knievel may have been seen attempting his stunts on a Harley-Davidson XR750 in the latter years, but he had begun his career and had certainly performed some of his most famous stunts on a Triumph T120. It included the famous jump over the Caesar’s Palace Hotel’s fountain, although he crashed.

Knievel performed some 175 stunts, and was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.

Back to the Triumph Rocket 3 Evel Knievel Limited Edition, each bike includes an individually numbered black and gold cam cover plate, laser-etched with the Evel Knievel signature logo. Owners will also receive an exclusive collector’s edition hardback book telling the story of Evel Knievel and his Triumphs, individually numbered to match their bike.

The two bikes remains otherwise the same. The engine is a 2458cc inline-triple, boasting 180hp at 7,000 RPM and arm-ripping 225Nm of torque at just 4,000 RPM. The frame and likewise single-sided swingarm are aluminium.

The suspension consists of Showa 47mm upside-down forks up front, and a Showa monoshock at the rear. Braking duties are handled by a pair of Brembo M4.32 Stylema monobloc calipers in front, gripping on 320mm discs. Cornering ABS is a standard feature.

Other features include a full-colour TFT which is controlled through a backlit joystick. The screen also features a unique Evel Knievel display upon start up.

Prices for the Triumph Rocket 3 Evel Knievel Limited Edition was not published.

As with many Honda models for next year, the 2025 Honda XL750 Transalp will see many revisions and new features. The Transalp 750 is important for the manufacturer to fill the midrange gap in their dual-purpose model line-up.

2025 Honda XL750 Transalp

Highlights:
  • Redesigned front end which brings it closer to the Africa Twin, ridding of CBX500-like headlight. The 2025 Honda XL750 Transalp also has more powerful LEDs.
  • Revised upper fairing with a central duct to improve airflow around the rider’s helmet.

2025 Honda XL750 Transalp

  • The new Durabio screen has a new profile to aid airflow around the rider’s body.
  • The suspension has likewise been revised, with softer compression and rebound damping in the Showa 43mm upside-down forks. Suspension travel remains at 200mm.

  • On the other hand, the rear Showa monoshock is firmer for better control on uneven ground, and carrying a pillion and luggae. Suspension travel is the same 190mm.
  • Wheel sizes are 21-inch front and 18-inch rear.

  • New optically-bonded 5-inch colour TFT screen, which includes iOS/Android smartphone connectivity.
  • Honda left the 2025 Honda XL750 Transalp’s 755cc, 270º crank, parallel-twin engine unchanged. It produces 90.5hp at 9,500 RPM and 72Nm at 7,250 RPM.

  • The 2025 Honda XL750 Transalp has two new colours called Graphite Black, and Pearl Deep Mud Gray, joining the Ross White option.
  • Honda has not released the price of the bike.

It looks like the 400cc to under 500cc sportbike segment is heating up. There is currently only main player in the category, namely Kawasaki with their Ninja ZX-4RR and it will soon have company in the form of Chinese sportbikes. The latest will be the Kove RR500.

But wait, who is Kove? Kove is the high-end brand of Loncin. Loncin has been making engines for the BMW C- and F-series of motorcycles since 2005.

Kove had been aggressive in pursuing the off-road segment with entries in the Dakar Rally. Their investment has been successful so far, as all the three Kove bikes entered in the rally last year finished the race. Hence Kove became the first Chinese manufacturer to have all their bikes complete the rally on their first attempt. Mind you, the 2023 Dakar Rally was considered the toughest ever. Kove has since built dealerships throughout Europe.

Back to the Kove RR500, Voge revealed their four-cylinder RR660S in September, but apparently, the have another smaller 475cc inline-four engine which has just been approved for production. The bike, codenamed LX500GS-2 according to the type-approval document, will be marketed as the RR500. Engine power was revealed to be 76hp, matching the Kawasaki ZX-4RR’s. Claimed top speed is 220km/h.

Other details include a wet weight of 192kg fully fueled. The frame is steel with an aluminium swingarm. The forks have Voge branding. As for the front brakes, the two pictures show two different brake calipers: The orange bike wears four-piston Nissin calipers, while the yellow/blue bike has those that look like the Sumitomo calipers on the Yamaha R1.

The Kove brand is not in Malaysia at the moment possibly due to their off-road heavy lineup, but who knows what the future brings.

Let us face it: We are so used to seeing Freestyle Motocross (FMX) riders doing the backflip that it has become something ‘meh.’ But it was revolutionary when it was first successfully attempted by Jose Yanez in 1991. Soon, it became the double backflip, then the triple backflip. However, those were all done on lightweight MX bikes. Now, THIS guy, backflips a Yamaha Ténéré 700.

The rider is 44-year-old Jérémy Rouanet, who was a former professional FMX rider. He perfected the backflip on the bike after just several weeks of training.

Yeah yeah, we hear you. Another FMX rider, Sebastian Westberg had backflipped on the bigger and heavier Honda Africa Twin two years ago, but he landed in the safety of a foam pit. Rouanet, on the other hand, landed on solid ground.

Anyway, this particular Ténéré 700 had been lightly modified, mostly using the parts from Yamaha’s official racing arm, GYTR. The bike began as a Yamaha Ténéré 700 Rally Edition and was prepped by the Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team. Other aftermarket parts include Takasago Excel rims and a TracTive monoshock. The seat was cut down by 1.5cm.

Several components were removed to save weight including the mirrors, signal indicators, license plate holder, hand guards, passenger footpegs, kickstand and its circuit breaker, and ABS control unit. A lithium-ion battery was also fitted in place of the stock item.

So? Will there be double and triple backflips after this? And what bike next? The BMW R 1300 GS, perhaps?

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