BREAKING: TVS Raider Launched; Is India’s First 125cc Bike To Get Riding Modes!

The TVS Raider 125 is powered by an all-new 124.8cc single-cylinder air-cooled, fuel-injected, three-valve engine churning out 11.38PS at 7500rpm and 11.2Nm at 6000rpm. The engine also features TVS’ patented oil-cooled combustion chamber with an internal oil cooler. 

The engine is mated to a 5-speed transmission, and TVS has also equipped the motorcycle with first-in-segment riding modes: Eco and Power. Under the former, the performance drops by 3 percent with TVS claiming an equivalent bump up in mileage. On the other hand, the Power mode offers a 10 percent higher top speed along with 0.4-second quicker acceleration from 0-60kmph. Oh, and the claimed mileage stands at 67kmpl, which is commendable for a 125cc motorcycle. TVS claims the Raider can reach a top speed of 99kmph. 

Coming to the features list, the bike gets a fully digital instrument cluster, which comes with a speedometer, tachometer, gear position and shift indicator, helmet reminder, top speed and average speed recorder, range and mileage indicators, three trip meters, Eco and power modes, odometer, fuel gauge, and clock (phew!). All these useful bits make it, by far, the most feature-packed 125cc motorcycle in India. There's also another variant with a smartphone-compatible TFT instrument cluster that features turn-by-turn navigation, call and messages access function, and more. The price of this variant will be announced later.

There’s an optional USB charging point under the handlebar, and an idling stop-start system, which works only in Eco mode. Once the bike comes to a halt and if the gear is in neutral, the engine turns off automatically after a few seconds. It comes back to life once you blip the throttle. Thanks to the integrated starter generator, the engine starts are smooth and silent too. 

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The motorcycle looks pretty sporty thanks to the muscular tank extensions, engine cowl, and split seat. The uniquely shaped LED DRL will certainly grab eyeballs. TVS has equipped the motorcycle with a full-LED headlight and tail lamp, along with bulb indicators. The wide single-piece handlebar, along with the slightly rear-set footpegs, offer an upright yet slightly forward-biased riding stance. Oh, the pillion seat comes with an underseat storage compartment, and there’s a side-stand engine cut-off feature as well. 

The TVS Raider gets a 30mm telescopic front fork with 120mm travel, and a five-step preload-adjustable gas charged rear monoshock. TVS has equipped the Raider with 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped with 80-section front and 100-section rear Remora tyres. Braking is courtesy the 240mm front petal disc and a 130mm rear drum, with CBS. There’s a more affordable variant with a front drum brake too. At 780mm, the seat is fairly reachable, and the bike tips the scales at just 123kg (kerb), making it one of the lightest in its segment. The fuel tank capacity stands at 10 litres, so with the claimed mileage, you should be able to theoretically cover over 600km on a tankful. 

Apart from the Honda SP 125 and the Hero Glamour Xtec, the TVS Raider also competes against the Bajaj Pulsar NS125. However, the NS125 is pegged at an eye-watering Rs 98,234 (ex-showroom, Delhi), and barely offers any modern features. TVS has been bang on time with the introduction of the Raider, as the segment is witnessing more interest considering the 150cc space has gotten prohibitively expensive in recent times. With sporty looks, tons of tangible features and a peppy yet frugal 125cc engine, the Raider seems to be pretty promising for the Hosur-based bikemaker. Will it be the real Phoenix to rise from the errm, Phoenix 125’s ashes? Only time will tell.