TVS expands East African footprint with launch of Apache RTR 180 in Nairobi

The new motorbike features disc brakes, race-tuned suspension, a striking LED headlamp, a wider rear tubeless tyre

by FELIX KIPKEMOI

News18 November 2025 - 07:00

In Summary

Unveiled Monday in Nairobi, the TVS Apache RTR 180 arrives with a 177.4 cc engine delivering 15.22 PS at 8,500 RPM and 14.1 Nm of torque at 6,500 RPM, figures that place it among the most capable motorcycles in its class.
It also features disc brakes, race-tuned suspension, a striking LED headlamp, a wider rear tubeless tyre and a five-speed gearbox, all packaged in a design rooted in nearly half a century of TVS racing heritage.

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TVS Motor Company has intensified competition in Kenya’s fast-growing motorcycle market with the introduction of the Apache RTR 180, a premium performance machine aimed squarely at a new generation of riders seeking power, style and identity on the road.

The launch, done in partnership with Car & General, marks a strategic shift as global manufacturers increasingly view Kenya not only as a commuter market but as fertile ground for high-performance two-wheel mobility.

Unveiled Monday in Nairobi, the TVS Apache RTR 180 arrives with a 177.4 cc engine delivering 15.22 PS at 8,500 RPM and 14.1 Nm of torque at 6,500 RPM, figures that place it among the most capable motorcycles in its class.

It also features disc brakes, race-tuned suspension, a striking LED headlamp, a wider rear tubeless tyre and a five-speed gearbox, all packaged in a design rooted in nearly half a century of TVS racing heritage.

At a retail price of Sh269,990, the motorcycle will be available through 12 Car & General dealerships across Kenya, offered in four colour variants of Pearl White, Matte Blue, Gloss Black and Matte Grey.

But beyond specifications, the unveiling speaks to a deeper transformation in Kenya’s motorcycling landscape. Premium motorbikes, once seen as niche products for hobbyists, are steadily gaining popularity as young, urban riders pivot toward lifestyle-driven mobility.

From performance enthusiasts to digital-age commuters, riders are demanding machines that offer both utility and personality.

This is the space TVS is aggressively stepping into. TVS International Business President Peyman Kargar said Kenya sits at the core of the company’s continental ambitions.

"Kenya is a hub shaping motorcycle culture across East Africa,” he said.

“We want to offer mobility solutions that elevate not just everyday travel, but also the lifestyle, excitement, and aspirations of riders. This launch is just the beginning of many more products designed specifically with markets like Kenya in mind.”

Car & General Managing Director Vijay Gidoomal echoed the sentiment, saying the country’s youthful population is reshaping the industry.

“Riders today want more than transport, they want identity, culture and belonging,” he said.

"The Apache RTR 180 speaks directly to that desire. It signals that Kenya is ready for a new era of performance riding, and that Car & General and TVS are ready to lead it. The youth are bold and expressive, and they’re demanding performance and aspiration in mobility.”

The presence of the Indian Deputy High Commissioner added diplomatic weight to the moment, underscoring India’s growing economic footprint in the region.

“Indian companies are expanding their presence in Kenya, and this launch is part of that momentum,” he said.

"As India moves toward becoming a five-trillion-dollar economy and the fourth largest globally, partner countries like Kenya will share in the opportunities that come with that growth.”

TVS Senior Vice President Rahul Nayak positioned the motorcycle as part of a wider global story of expansion, innovation, and quality. He highlighted TVS’s credentials as the world’s third-largest two-wheeler maker, selling 4.7 million units in 2024–25 and serving more than 64 million customers.

The company has also been a long-term manufacturing partner for BMW, producing more than 150,000 BMW-branded motorcycles over the last decade. Nayak noted that while TVS sells hundreds of thousands of units in East Africa,mostly in the bodaboda segment,the future lies in premium products.

"The next four to five years will be about solutions we have never imagined,” he said.

“We are committed to leading that evolution. Whether it is Honda or Bajaj, none has invested in the premium journey the way TVS has. We seek the goodwill and feedback of customers as we transform mobility here.”

For TVS, the Apache launch is part of a broader strategy rooted in innovation. The company has more than doubled its annual R&D investment over the past two years, reaching ₹1,025 crore (Sh17.4 billion) in FY 2024–25, backed by a team of over 2,000 engineers and designers.

TVS says its focus on clean, connected, and advanced mobility reflects its long-term vision for markets like Kenya where consumer expectations are rapidly evolving.

With the Apache RTR 180 now available locally, Kenyan riders are being introduced to a machine shaped not only by performance engineering but also by a global pedigree.

The Apache series, present in more than 60 countries, has amassed a dedicated following and is considered one of the world’s most celebrated performance motorcycle lines.