TVS Raider 125: First look Review || MotoJunkie.in

 

TVS was teasing us since a week ago with pictures and videos of a new bike which will be carrying forward RTR legacy in lower segments, we all knew it's gonna be a 125cc but no one knew what will it be. TVS has managed a perfect secret in the manufacturing and testing of the motorcycle, there were no leaks, no news and no spy shots, just an official teaser. On 16 September, they launched a brand new 125cc youth centering motorcycle. They had tried in this segment way back in 2008 with TVS Flame. It was a 125cc motorcycle with a muscular tank, tank shrouds which also had indicators mounted on it, disc brake, digital speedo. But some how they failed and discontinued it. But now time has changed and so has TVS. This now goes up against Honda Shine SP, Bajaj NS125, Bajaj Pulsar 125 and Hero Glamour. Let us have a look what TVS is offering youths with their brand new 125cc sporty commuter in 2021.

  Engine & Transmission

124.8cc engine

Raider is powered with 124.8cc air cooled 3-valve motor, Does it sound familiar? Yes because we have seen this setup in Ntorq and even the bore and stroke are also identical. But TVS says that this is brand new engine, It produces 11.5 bhp at 7500 rpm and 11.2Nm of peak torque at 6000 rpm. Fueling is done through Fuel injection system, obviously. Mated to 5 speed transmission with 1 down 4 up pattern. TVS claims that this is the fastest motorcycle in segment and could go 0-60 in just 5.99 seconds. Top speed is maxed out at 100kmph. It also gets two riding modes: Eco and Power.

  Chassis, Suspension & Brakes

TVS has engineered a very responsive chassis for Raider, It is a single downtube and uses engine as a stressed member. This motorcycle gets conventional telescopic suspension in the front and a gas charged mono-shock at the rear. Gets 17 inch 6-spoke black alloy wheels with 80 section front and a 100 section rear tyre. For braking duties, front it gets optional 240 mm petal disc brake or a 130mm drum and a rear 130mm drum standard. Since it's under 125cc so its not mandatory to put ABS and hence gets Syncro Brake Technology or simply, Combine Brakes. It gets 1326mm of wheelbase and this motorcycle tips the scale at just 123kgs dry. Ground clearance is adequate of 180 mm. 

  Design

Starting off the front, Raider gets LED headlight unit, with uniquely X-shaped DRLs. The design is completly new, above the headlamp we get a Raider R logo and above that TVS badge on the console. Turn indicators are mounted high but are halogen units. 

Looking from side, It gets a muscular tank, it has enough creases to give a sporty and big bike feel. The side panels of tank are body coloured whereas central panel comes in black, giving it a two tone look. The tank extension/ shrouds are two piece, top part in black plastic with 3d TVS horse logo and lower part in kind of aluminum +copper shade. Handle bars are placed a lower to give that sporty upright position. The lower part of tank and side panel is again in black plastic and has Raider badging on it. Further lower we get sharp body coloured belly pan. The front foot rest and its mountings are made of aluminium and pillion foot rests hang from top, like the big/ sport bikes. 

Then there is a descent sized exhaust can which is slightly tilted above, it gets aluminium heat shield and overall tries to give a sporty feel. The seats are descent sized yet they are split seats, its going to be comfortable for both rider and pillion. Rear seat is removable through key and gets little compartment storage. The grab handle has been beautifully incorporated and is a single piece unit. The rear tail light is again LED but indicators are halogen. It gets a descent size mudguard which mounts no. plate a little further and looks sporty from behind too. Looks are very distinctive and young persons like me are going to love it.

  Features

For now, TVS Raider gets a negative LCD instrument cluster. It gets tachometer, speedometer, odometer, twin trip meters, clock, fuel level indicator, Top speed recorder, Gear position indicator, eco and power mode indicator, shift light for eco mode, Avg. fuel economy, range, ISS, side stand warning, low fuel warning, low voltage warning, service indicator and much more. Despite of all this info its looks techy but not busy. 

Reverse LCD console

Raider gets Two riding modes: Eco which generates a little less power, gets shift light to assist you for down shift or upshift to get max economy, Intelligent Start-Stop System get activated in this mode. 

There is also a USB port on tank near the handle to charge your mobile phone. It also gets Silent Start motor.

There is another variant coming in few months which will get TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity, turn by turn navigations and some more exciting features. 

  Colours & Price

TVS has given four colour options:

There will be three vaiants available, but the third one will come later,

Drum: Rs.77,500/-   

Disc:Rs. 85,469 /-

TFT Display

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