5 things you need to know ahead of Sherco TVS Factory Rally team’s Dakar adventure

#5 The bike - RTR 450

Jointly developed by TVS Racing and Sherco Motorcycles, the RTR 450 is a competitive and lightweight machine equipped with a powerful, reliable 450 cc engine. Talking specifically about the engine, the bike's 450 cc, 4 stroke DOHC, 4 valve technology has been designed specifically for the tough terrain of the Dakar rally.

The physically striker features of the bike include its shock absorbers and the wheel. The beefy shock absorbers have been designed to provide 21 mm travel room at the front, specifically aiding the rider in negotiating harsh terrain. The front wheel of the RTR 450 is a 1.60 x 21" Aluminium rim steel spoke tyre while the back wheel is 2.15 x 18".

The mechanical features include the Akrapovic Titanium exhaust system, one of the best in the world, aimed at giving the bike a performance edge on the circuit. The bike's cockpit is extremely competent and multi-functional, and provides all information pertaining to the route and weather conditions to the rider. Finally, the bike's LED headlamps help the rider ride in the night, without any hiccups.

In terms of their bike for the Dakar 2018, they have worked to improve the exhaust and suspension and added more power, making it easier for the riders to manoeuvre the bike in the rough and tumble terrains of South America.