The Indian motorcycling scene has been witnessing a massive shift toward “neo-retro” machines, and TVS Motor Company has been at the forefront of this wave with the Ronin. However, at the recent MotoSoul 2025 festival in Goa, TVS dropped a bombshell that left enthusiasts and critics stunned: the TVS Ronin Kenzai Edition.
While the standard Ronin has already established itself as a versatile “modern-retro” scrambler, the Kenzai Edition (often stylized as Kensai in official design documents) takes that philosophy and pushes it into the realm of high-art custom culture. Unveiled alongside the production-ready Agonda Edition, the Kenzai is a collaborative masterpiece built by the legendary Indonesian custom house, Smoked Garage.
In this detailed review, we will dissect the TVS Ronin Kenzai Edition, analyzing its radical design features, its underlying performance mechanics, and the likelihood of this concept influencing future production models in India. Whether you are a cafe racer purist or a tech-savvy urban rider, this machine demands your attention.
Design and Aesthetics: The Samurai Spirit
The word “Kenzai” (or Kensai) roughly translates to “Sword Saint” in Japanese, a fitting moniker for a motorcycle that looks this sharp. The design language is a dramatic departure from the standard Ronin’s somewhat polarizing “Zeppelin” shape. Smoked Garage has stripped the bike down to its bare essentials, creating a hybrid silhouette that marries the aggressive stance of a Bobber with the sporty ergonomics of a Cafe Racer.
The most striking feature is the floating industrial-style seat. Unlike the plush, wide bench on the standard Ronin, the Kenzai features a minimalistic, rider-only saddle that appears to hover above the rear wheel. This is achieved through a reworked subframe that cleans up the rear end significantly, giving the bike a futuristic, “cyberpunk” aesthetic.
The fuel tank has been sculpted to be slimmer and more aerodynamic, adorned in a deep, metallic Dark Green paint scheme with Bronze graphic accents. This color combination exudes a premium, military-grade vibe that is vastly superior to the stock dual-tone options. The headlight has also been swapped for a larger, neo-retro circular LED unit that sits lower on the forks, contributing to the bike’s “hunkered down” aggressive stance.
Innovative Features: Air Suspension and Smart Tech
If you thought the Kenzai was just a cosmetic job, think again. The pièce de résistance of this machine is its fully adjustable air suspension system. This is a feature typically reserved for high-end custom baggers or luxury cars. The system allows the rider to adjust the ride height on the fly—dropping the bike low for a cool, static parking stance and raising it for practical ground clearance when riding.
The handlebars have been replaced with low-slung clip-ons, transforming the riding posture from the Ronin’s standard upright, relaxed position to a committed, forward-leaning racer tuck. While this might add strain to your wrists during long commutes, it dramatically improves the bike’s aerodynamics and gives the rider better feedback from the front end during spirited cornering.
Additionally, the Kenzai features ambient lighting accents integrated into the bodywork, a nod to the modern “streetfighter” trend. The instrument cluster remains the familiar offset digital pod from the standard Ronin, retaining the SmartXonnect Bluetooth features, turn-by-turn navigation, and voice assist, ensuring that despite its retro looks, it remains a thoroughly modern machine.
Performance and Engine Specs
Beneath the radical custom bodywork beats the heart of the proven Ronin platform. The TVS Ronin Kenzai Edition is powered by the same 225.9cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine found in the stock model.
- Max Power: 20.4 PS @ 7750 rpm
- Max Torque: 19.93 Nm @ 3750 rpm
- Transmission: 5-Speed with Assist & Slipper Clutch
While the engine internals remain stock, the performance characteristics of the Kenzai are likely sharper due to two key factors: weight reduction and intake/exhaust modifications. The removal of the heavy rear fender, stock exhaust, and bulky plastic panels has likely shed 5-7 kg from the bike’s curb weight (standard is 160 kg). In the world of quarter-liter bikes, that kind of weight loss translates to noticeably snappier acceleration.
Furthermore, the Kenzai features a custom free-flow upright exhaust system. Unlike the stock belly-mounted silencer, this unit allows the engine to breathe more freely. While this might slightly reduce low-end tractability, it likely unlocks a bit more top-end punch and, more importantly, delivers a guttural, throaty exhaust note that matches the bike’s aggressive looks.
Ride and Handling: A Track-Focused Bobber?
The handling dynamic of the TVS Ronin Kenzai Edition is a fascinating mix. The standard Ronin is known for its stability and ease of riding. The Kenzai, however, introduces racing slick tires on custom spoke wheels. These tires offer immense grip on dry tarmac, allowing for much deeper lean angles than the block-pattern tires on the stock bike.
The CNC-machined Triple T (triple tree) clamps add rigidity to the front end, making the steering more precise. However, the extended swingarm—a signature Smoked Garage touch—increases the wheelbase. While this makes the bike ultra-stable in a straight line (almost like a drag bike), it might make the Kenzai slightly lazier in tight city traffic compared to the nimble standard Ronin. It is a machine built for sweeping curves and highway blasts rather than filtering through gridlocked bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Mileage and Efficiency
Since the engine remains the stock 225cc unit, the mileage figures for the TVS Ronin Kenzai Edition would theoretically mirror the production model, with slight variations due to aerodynamics and weight.
- City Mileage: Approx. 40-42 kmpl
- Highway Mileage: Approx. 45-48 kmpl
- Real-World Combined: ~42 kmpl
However, it is important to note that the free-flow exhaust and aggressive riding posture (which encourages faster riding) might see real-world efficiency drop to around 35-38 kmpl. For a lifestyle motorcycle of this caliber, these figures are still quite respectable, offering a good balance between thrill and practicality.
Price in India: Can You Buy It?
This is the most critical question. Currently, the TVS Ronin Kenzai Edition is a custom concept showcased to demonstrate the modification potential of the Ronin platform. It is not a mass-production model available in TVS showrooms like the newly launched “Agonda” edition.
However, for enthusiasts looking to replicate this build or understand the cost, here is a breakdown:
- Donor Bike (TVS Ronin Top Model): ₹ 1.70 – ₹ 1.76 Lakh (On-Road)
- Estimated Customization Cost: ₹ 2.00 – ₹ 3.00 Lakh (Bodywork, Paint, Air Suspension, Exhaust)
- Total Estimated “Kenzai” Build Cost: ₹ 3.75 – ₹ 4.50 Lakh
While you cannot walk into a dealer and buy a Kenzai today, TVS has a history of launching production versions of their popular concepts (remember the Akula becoming the RR310). If public demand is high enough, we could see a “Kenzai-inspired” limited edition—minus the air suspension and slicks—hit the market in late 2026, likely priced around ₹ 2.10 Lakh.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Unmatched Style: Easily the best-looking custom Ronin to date; a true head-turner.
- Exclusive Tech: Air suspension on a 225cc bike is a revolutionary feature.
- Premium Finish: High-quality paint, CNC parts, and leather work by Smoked Garage.
- Proven Reliability: Retains the bulletproof TVS engine and electronics.
Cons:
- Availability: Currently a one-off custom, not available for retail purchase.
- Practicality: The floating rider-only seat rules out pillion riders.
- Comfort: Aggressive clip-on handlebars and rear-set footpegs may be tiring for daily use.
- Weather Protection: Lack of mudguards makes it unsuitable for wet Indian roads.
Verdict: The Ronin We Deserve
The TVS Ronin Kenzai Edition is more than just a show bike; it is a statement of intent. It proves that the Ronin platform is not just for commuting—it is a canvas for artistic expression. While the standard Ronin is a “Jack of all trades,” the Kenzai is a master of one: Style.
For now, Indian riders can opt for the newly launched Ronin Agonda Edition (₹ 1.31 Lakh ex-showroom) for a taste of this custom culture. But we sincerely hope TVS takes the bold step of bringing a production version of the Kenzai to our streets. It is the edgy, aggressive halo model that the Ronin lineup desperately needs to silence its critics once and for all.