With youngsters demanding faster, more exciting scooters, manufacturers have been stepping up their game. The latest is TVS, with its new Ntorq 125cc scooter, the first 125cc offering from TVS and we spent a day riding it at its test track in the TVS factory.
Design-wise
The company says the styling is inspired by a stealth aircraft, seen in the sharp and angular lines of the scooter. The raked-out apron comes fitted with a V-shaped headlamp, with LED DRLs. The tail section features a T-shaped LED tail-lamp with a diffused effect, which looks unique. The faux-afterburner-style rear vents look cool, while the indicators have been neatly integrated. Although the faux-carbon-fibre finish on the plastic panels looks nice, it has been a little overused, but the subtle creases on the panels look great. The chunky split grab-rails not only look good but are also easy to hold, as well as functional, as there’s a slot available to pass bungee cords through.
The other interesting details are the chunky exhaust muffler and the beautiful multi-spoke alloy wheels, finished in gloss black — but they don’t have a diamond-cut finish, as claimed by TVS. The handlebar is a chunky unit and the silver-finish bar-ends are just cosmetic. It also gets a large, all-digital console, but more on that later. The Ntorq 125 is the first locally-built scooter to feature an engine-kill switch. You get other features like pass light switch, under-seat light, reserve fuel light, power and eco-mode indicator, USB charger and parking brake. The new scooter also gets an external fuel-filler cap, which would have been nice if it could be unlocked via the conventional key slot. Despite having a generous 22-litre under-seat storage space, it can’t accommodate a premium full-face helmet. Like every other scooter.
Riding on
In total, TVS claims that there are more than 30 parameters that can be displayed on the 5-inch console. The interesting bits are a lap timer, a 0-60kph acceleration recorder, a top-speed recorder, engine temperature, average speed and service reminder. The Ntorq 125 also gets ‘Smart Xonnect’, which uses Bluetooth to sync the instrument console with your smartphone. Through the TVS Ntorq app, the rider can view various details like incoming call alerts, SMS alerts, missed call alerts, high speed alert, phone battery and signal strength, trip report and last parked location. The rider can also customise the app to send out an auto reply message when you’re riding, and you also have the option of ‘do not disturb’. TVS has partnered with MapmyIndia to provide navigation assist, which relays directions on the console.
The first thing that you will notice about the new 125cc motor is its refinement. We were riding at speeds of around 70-80kph (top speed is 95kph) with hardly any vibrations. Only when you cross 90kph, do you feel a minor buzz from the foot board — even that’s negligible. The Ntorq’s motor is a big step forward, as compared to the TVS Jupiter’s powerplant. Also, the engine gets 3-valve technology with two intake ports and one exhaust port. One of the intake valves is a swirl-type and the other is a tumble-type. This, according to TVS, has helped improve combustion efficiency, thereby improving mileage. We would have liked a bit of zing in acceleration off the line, though, as the Ntorq’s initial throttle response lacks that urgency you’d expect from its sporty intentions.
- Price: ₹58,750 (Ex-showroom, Delhi)
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- No of Cylinders: Single
- Cubic Capacity (cc): 124.7cc
- Valves per cylinder: 3-valve
- Max Power (hp @ rpm): 9.4hp at 7500rpm
- Max Torque (nm @ rpm): 10.5Nm at 5500rpm
- Gearbox Type: Automatic
- Weight (kg): 116kg
- Length (mm): 1865mm
- Width (mm): 710mm
- Height (mm): 1160mm
- Wheel base (mm): 1285mm
- Fuel Tank capacity (lts): 5.0 litres
Buying in?
Despite employing plastic panels, the Ntorq weighs 116kg, which is significantly higher than its rivals (Grazia – 107kg, Access 125 – 102kg). So does the extra mass make it dull around corners? Not at all! The bike’s handling dynamics are likeable and it feels planted around corners. It isn’t overly sporty like the Aprilia SR 150, but it goes about its way in a fuss-free manner. The ride quality is just spot-on, not stiff, nor too soft. TVS has got the foam density of the saddle right. The Ntorq is also the only scooter to get petal disc brakes at the front, while the rear gets a drum unit.
The disc brake offers a good bite and I was able to shed speeds without much effort. However, the rear does tend to step out, sometimes under hard braking.
The TVS Ntorq 125 is fuss-free and well-rounded, a fun product that should appeal to a lot of buyers. What sweetens the deal is its incredible value: ₹58,750 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
