TVS Raider 125: A new age urban commuting hit for the youth! the TVS Raider 125 is a new and bubbling face in India’s 125cc motorcycle scene.
for the young buyer, it intertwines a sporty design, contemporary tech and ease of taking care of your mundane daily commuting needs.
Its not just another commuter bike but the fun part of the Raider is also taking your daily ride to a new level of excitement.
Bold Design and Fun for all the Family
The TVS Raider 125 immediately draws attention with its muscular and edgy looks.
The butch LED headlamp, muscular fuel tank, sporty tank extensions, and the split seat trend to a premium and sporty look.
This is complemented by the X-shaped LED tail lamp and a short and sleek exhaust at the rear, which adds to the streetfighter attitude of the motorcycle.
The dual-tone colours and tasteful graphics ensure that the Raider is always a head-turner in traffic.
It might be a commuter bike at heart, but its sporty stance and muscular bodywork give it an appearance and profile that’s surprisingly absent in this class.
Engine and Riding Performance
Beneath the tank, the Raider gets 124.8cc air and oil cooled engine that churns out about 11.4 PS of power and 11.2 Nm of torque.
The engine is also polished and smooth, responding well around town and for short highway jaunts.
What separates it is the two riding modes, Eco and Power.In the ‘Eco’ mode, the throttle is slower to response benefiting improved fuel efficiency.
Power mode meanwhile provides brisk acceleration and more lively ride feel. This characteristic is a rare treat on a 125cc machine and brings added thrills to the racy ride.
The bike is also equipped with silent start, idle start-stop system and 5-speed gearbox for a more refined and intelligent riding experience.
Ride and Handling
The Raider, despite being sporty and aggressive in its appearance is designed for comfort.
The 780mm tall seat and monoshock rear suspension ensure a planted ride that is comfortable at the same time.
The riding position is erect and the wide handlebars afford excellent control in traffic.
Its chassis is minimal and it’s suspension is adequately sorted which makes it easy to negotiate potholed lanes and speed breakers in the city.
Braking from the (disc in front+drum at rearwith CBS) is good enough for daily use, though enthusiasts could miss a rear disc in the lower trims.
Tech Features and Display
TVS has also loaded the Raider with some top-notch features. It gets a digital instrument cluster with gear position indicator, real-time mileage, clock and trip metres.
The higher-spec models above it get a 5-inch TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation and call alert functions,
Thanks to SmartXonnect. It also has a USB charging port and under-seat storage for smaller items.
Pros:
Stylish and modern design with sportd elements
Riding modes with an adaptable engine
Outstanding mileage (about 60kmpl)
BTE options in feature-rich console
Enough leg room in daily ride for comfort riding as well as ergonomics.
Cons:
“Shake” at higher RPMs
Base models lack rear disc brake
Some have had build quality problems
Heavy use of a passenger would take full advantage of the 4.3” of rear suspension travel
SmartXonnect meant only for top variant
TVS Raider 125: Conclusion
The TVS Raider 125 brings in a fresh approach to the 125cc commuter segment.
It serves up style, tech and performance but does so without having to settle when it comes to mileage or comfort.
Great for young riders, or riders young at heart, the Raider feel similar to riding the BMX bike you had as a kid, just all grown up.