We had heard a lot about the TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tires, but unfortunately we hadn’t experienced these tires yet. So when TVS Eurogrip invited us for the ‘Tread Talks’ track edition, it was time to pack up my track riding kit and head south to Chennai, to spend some quality time at the Madras Motor Race Track (MMRT). On the program, a few discussions on the side of the track, to learn about the brand’s projects in the Indian two-wheeler segment, and with a brief experience, with Protorq Extreme tires at the MMRT.
The TVS Apache RR 310 fitted with TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tyres.
Now, tires play an extremely important role in your two-wheeled riding experience. And if it’s a performance-oriented motorcycle you fancy, or you ride one, a good set of tires will go a long way to ensuring a safer and more enjoyable riding experience. And the grippy performance tires will also help you hone your skills, whether you’re the kind of rider who wants to visit the circuit once in a while, or just wants to have better grip, even on everyday roads, in varying road conditions. This time around our experience with Protorq Extreme tires is on the track, but these are also designed for use on the road.
TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tires can be used on the track as well as on the road.
Read also : Apache RR 310 BTO 2021 TVS Track Review
We had a mix of TVS One Make Championship race bikes and a few stock Apache RR 310 bikes at our disposal, to check out the TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tires.
TVS One Make Championship Bikes
With a little help from TVS Racing, we were due to receive some TVS Racing race bikes, used in the TVS One Make (OMC) Championship. The bikes offered to us, fitted with TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tires, were the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V OMC bike, as well as the TVS Apache RR 310 OMC bike. With a random selection, I was given the Apache RR 310 OMC bike for the first two rounds, to swap again, with an Apache RTR 200 OMC bike.
The TVS Apache RR 310 One Make Championship race bike has a free-flowing exhaust, sleeker throttle and much reduced weight compared to the stock bike.
The last time I rode a TVS bike at MMRT was the factory custom Apache RR 310 Built to Order (BTO), almost a year ago. And this bike had fully adjustable suspension, thanks to the Race Kit, with racy handlebars, and footpegs moved higher to provide more cornering clearance. You can read all about this TVS Apache RR 310 BTO experience here, which had sticky Michelin Road 5 tires, for reference.
Read also : 2020 Apache RR 310 TVS Track Review
TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tires provide excellent grip and progressively refined lean angles around the MMRT with more confidence offered by the tires.
The ride with the RR 310 OMC racing bike
The Apache RR 310 OMC bike has been designed to reduce weight, and with pegs placed higher than the BTO bike, and there are changes to the engine too, with high-lift cams, a free-flowing exhaust that lets escape a loud bark, and a more racy throttle, making it a completely different animal to the stock TVS Apache RR 310. Now I’ve never experienced the race bike before, and it felt quick, and the response of the throttle sharper and quicker.
Read also : TVS Apache RR 310 racing bike records a top speed of 201.2 km/h in Malaysia
A set of grippy tires provides very good confidence to roll on a trail, exactly what the Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tires offered.
With limited track time, we were released, led by Petronas TVS Racing driver Vorapong Malahuan, who provided valuable insight into the sequence of changing body position, downshifting and looking forward at the approaching a bend. Then it was time to let go of the RR 310 OMC bike. And as the lean angles got sharper and more aggressive, I couldn’t help but be impressed with the level of grip the Protorq Extreme tires offered, cornering, braking abrupt, and generally improving confidence with the racing bike. Yes, these tires are very impressive!
The benchmark was clearly the stock TVS Apache RR 310, which also offered as much confidence as the race bike around the MMRT, with the Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tires.
Stock TVS Apache RR 310 with Protorq Extreme tires
When it was time to head back to the pits to swap with the RTR 200 OMC race bike, I was told that the rider I was supposed to swap with had entered the pits a lap prior. So I was handed the stock TVS Apache RR 310, again fitted with TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tires.
The stock TVS Apache RR 310 felt docile compared to the OMC race bike, but tire grip levels were just as impressive
The stock bike was quite docile compared to the OMC bike, but the tire grip levels proved to be just as good. The result was that I found myself pushing the bike harder through the corners, with my limited track skills. As the laps went on I couldn’t help but admire the level of grip these tires had which, in fact, turned out to be on par with the best tires I’ve ever experienced with an RR 310.
Now, I don’t have expert-level trail riding skills, but the sticky Protorq Extreme tires gave me the confidence to push harder, turn after turn!
TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme Footprints
The checkered flag was out, a bit too early, and it was time to pit after the last lap. But not before another round of scraping knee pucks at every possible corner! The stock TVS Apache RR 310 with TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tires is certainly very impressive, as far as grip and confidence go.
The TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tires are extremely impressive! They offer levels of cornering grip and confidence that are on par with the best tires on sale today.
At the end of the track experience, I couldn’t help but marvel at the quality of these tires, maybe as good, and maybe even better in cornering grip than many other tire brands. tires that I have come across, including imported brands! The Protorq Extreme front tyre, with 110/70 ZR17, is priced at Rs. 4,767, while the rear tyre, 150/60 ZR17 is priced at Rs. 6,024.
Read also : TVS Ronin Round 1 Review
By comparing the lean angles of the OMC race bike and the original RR 310, it’s easy to see how the tires will give you confidence and make your ride on the trail even more fun!
It was an impressive outing, and extremely enjoyable as well. And the best news is that TVS Eurogrip is on a mission to manufacture all possible tires for all types of motorcycles sold in India within the next two years! So, interesting times are coming for this in-house tire brand!
