The 125cc commuter motorcycle segment has exploded over the last few years. This segment, which was dominated by Honda and Hero MotoCorp, now has several manufacturers offering more products than ever before. In fact, the 125cc motorcycle segment in Nepal has more than ten motorcycles from six manufacturers in the fray.

Now, if there was one manufacturer that was relatively staying quiet in this space, it was TVS. Although the company has the Stryker 125 Refresh and the Max 125 in this segment, it is the all-new Raider 125 that the company is betting big on. TVS’ all-new 125cc premium offering, the Raider 125, promises to be a distinctly young and sporty motorcycle with a distinctive ride character.

Keep in mind, 125cc bikes deliver what is expected from a bike of this genre: high fuel efficiency, easy maintenance and affordable pricing. Similarly, young buyers who are just beginning to grow and develop their skills make this segment a beginner-friendly space.

So, if you are someone who is just starting out in the world of motorcycling, and that too on a budget, is the TVS Raider 125 for you? We find out

Making a style statement.

The commuter market is changing and TVS knows that. In sync with the demands of the current generation, the Raider 125 gets a mildly sportier styling than its primary rivals. TVS smashes the common notion of entry-level 125cc motorcycles being boring, boxy motorcycles.

At first glance, the new TVS Raider 125 could be mistaken for a 150cc machine and this will surely be appreciated by its target audience. The flat face cowl and headlamps with the signature twin-boomerang DRLs, the large, sculpted fuel tank, silver-coloured tank shrouds and a belly pan, upswept exhaust, large grab rail, and the X-shaped LED tail lamp, add a dose of sportiness to the motorcycle. And, the fit and finish of the switchgear are equally good too. In terms of colours, there are four on offer – Striking Red, Blazing Blue, Wicked Black and Fiery Yellow.

All of these elements come together nicely to make the Raider feel more premium than one would expect from a product in this budget-minded segment. This certainly strikes the right chord with potential buyers since they don’t have to compromise on the styling.

What features does it get?

The instrument cluster on the TVS Raider 125 is a negatively-lit digital unit, a first-in-the segment. The colour LCD unit showcases the fuel level including the reserve, speedometer, odometer, tachometer, top and average speed, side stand indicator, helmet reminder and user greeting. There will also be a model with TVS’ SmartXonnect Bluetooth connectivity system with navigation and voice assistant features in a five-inch colour TFT display, in the future. The company has also provided a generous under-seat storage space to store all your documents and a well-integrated USB charging port on top of the tank.

Although the India-spec Raider comes equipped with ride modes (Power and Eco), TVS has decided to omit this segment-first feature in our market. The addition of ride modes would have made the Raider 125 the most feature-packed motorcycle in its segment. Nevertheless, the Raider packs plenty of tech into the small but impressive package.

Engine and Performance

Powering the TVS Raider 125 is a BS4, three-valve,124.8cc, single-cylinder air and oil-cooled engine with a maximum power output of 11.2 bhp at 7,500 rpm and a peak torque output of 11.2 Nm at 6,000 rpm. The motor is mated to a five-speed gearbox. TVS claims a best-in-class acceleration of 0-60 km/h in 5.7 secs.

The Raider is also the first TVS motorcycle with an integrated starter generator that gives the motorcycle a silent start with a press of the thumb without any typical starter motor sound. Blip the throttle and the engine fires up to a throaty note. Surprisingly, the exhaust note is not something you’d expect from a 125cc motorcycle. However, you will be able to adapt to this note in no time. Although, you will definitely be turning some surprised heads thanks to the unassuming frame and raspy sound disparity of the Raider.

On paper, the output doesn’t look impressive, but out there in the real world, it’s an entirely different ballgame. The bike propels forward with an immediacy, something that isn’t familiar with 125cc bikes. The Raider’s engine has the most torque in the segment and this is evident from the motor’s tractable characteristics. Also, the acceleration feels strong for this segment. The refinement levels are excellent and the engine is quite smooth. The five-speed gearbox is a smooth unit and it shifts with ease. However, push it further still and it feels a little stressed. Although the motor feels a little strained at higher rpms, you do get a likeable low and mid-range performance.

How does it ride?

The first thing you will notice as you sit on the motorcycle is its sporty intent. The low and wide handlebar and the slightly rear-set footpegs provide riders with the best of both worlds, a relaxed but sporty feel. Planting your feet to the ground won’t be a problem, thanks to the 780mm saddle height with the segment-first split seats providing plenty of room to move around.

The TVS Raider sits on a diamond frame and is suspended by 30mm telescopic forks at the front and a 5-step adjustable gas-charged monoshock at the rear. The suspension setup handles the road undulations, potholes and broken tarmac effortlessly. You’ll find the front end to be extremely reactive to steering inputs. Speaking of which, maneuvering through everyday city traffic will be relatively easy, especially when you are stuck in stop-and-go city traffic. The bike feels incredibly light and agile. And, the TVS Remora tyres provide decent grip when you need it.

In a typical TVS fashion, the Raider’s motor feels lively. Going by the instrument console, the bike felt happy after crossing 5000 rpm. The sweet spot of the motor lies between the 60-70kmph mark where the Raider is most comfortable riding at. Surprisingly, the motor felt refined and gentle throughout the rev range. That being said, you can feel little vibrations on the pegs and the handlebar post 7000 rpm.

TVS Nepal hasn’t revealed its fuel efficiency figures but even at a figure of 55+ kmpl, its 10-litre fuel tank will ensure a range close to 550+ km. With petrol becoming more expensive each day, the Raider trumps on the fuel-efficiency front.

At 120kg kerb weight, the Raider is lighter than its primary rivals, the Honda CB Shine (123kg, CBS variant), the Hero Glamour(126-128 kg) and the Pulsar 125 (140kg). Because of its low kerb weight, the bike can easily be chucked into corners, however, the skinny 100/90-17 rear tyre will remind you to keep your skills in check. Similarly, the safety net offered by the bike could have been much better. Even though the front disc does a decent job of bringing the motorcycle to a halt, the same cannot be said about the rear drum. The rear brake could do with a better feel, at least from a safety perspective.

Should you buy one?

Judging from our initial impressions, the TVS Raider 125 has a lot going for it. The motorcycle provides good value for what it offers in terms of styling and riding dynamics. On top of that, the Raider is a bit more practical and better equipped than its competition. The engine is responsive and smooth, and the best-in-class features list will surely leave you impressed. At Rs 2.64 Lakh, the Raider promises to be an even more appealing purchase.

To summarise, the TVS Raider 125 will easily find buyers for being stylish, feature-loaded and rider-friendly. Therefore, if you’re looking for a visually appealing motorcycle for everyday commuting without breaking the bank, the Raider 125 should definitely be considered.