TVS Raider 125 vs Hero Glamour X125: Detailed Comparison

The tvs raider and the Hero Glamour 125 are well-established bikes in the 125cc segment. While the Raider looks definitively modern, Hero has made the Glamour even more umm, well, glamorous with the launch of the Hero Glamour X125. So of course, a detailed comparison is necessary to ascertain which one makes sense for whom, and that’s exactly what we’ve done: 

Price & Variants

• The base variant of the Hero Glamour X125 is almost Rs 1,000 more expensive than the TVS Raider. But on the flip side, the Hero bike’s top-end variant is about Rs 5,000 more affordable than the Raider 125’s TFT DD variant.

• Planning to get the TVS Raider 125 on loan? Here is our detailed EMI buying guide.

Dimensions & Design

• A longer wheelbase on a motorcycle leads to better straightline stability, and also better confidence while riding at higher speeds. The TVS Raider should be better on this front due to the slightly longer wheelbase. 

• But, on the other hand, having a shorter wheelbase should make it easier to handle with more effortless direction changes. This should make the Hero Glamour X125 a more agile bike in the city.

• The higher ground clearance of the TVS Raider 125 should make it easier to ride over potholes and bad road conditions compared to the Glamour X125.

• The lower seat height of the TVS Raider should make it more accessible for shorter riders.

• From a design standpoint, the TVS Raider looks sharp and modern. The body panels have clean, crisp lines, giving it a distinctly youthful appeal.

• In comparison, the Hero Glamour X125 looks more like a beefed-up commuter. While it looks solid and purposeful, it isn’t as sleek and sporty as the Raider.

• The Raider’s massive variety of colour options further enhance its sporty appeal. It also gives customers the option to pick the visual theme of their liking. Our full colour-explainer of the Raider 125 should give you a clear picture. 

• On the other hand, the Hero Glamour X125’s Matt Metallic Silver shade gives the muscular bodywork a clean and minimalistic finish. The other colour options get bold graphics across the fuel tank, headlamp cowl and tank extensions.

• Blazing Red is the one if you want an attention-grabbing look. Metallic Nexus Blue adds a youthful touch, whereas Black Pearl Red strikes a balance between being flashy and being subtle. Black Teal Blue looks quite unique with the teal highlights all over.

• Here is how the TVS Raider 125 looks in 10 high quality images.

Underpinnings

• An upside down fork provides better rigidity and more precise control when ridden in a spirited manner compared to a telescopic fork. But a telescopic fork is less prone to oil leaks, and are usually good at providing a better ride comfort while commuting in the city.

• So, choosing the better option between the two on paper is not that straightforward. The same goes for the monoshock and twin-shock absorber setups on the TVS Raider 125 and Hero Glamour X125 respectively.

• As such, deciding which suspension is better will ultimately come down to taking a test ride at the dealership and gauging which one better suits your needs.

• Both bikes offer drum brakes as well as disc brake options depending on the variants. But the TVS Raider 125 wins in this category because the cheapest variant (Single Seat) with a front disc brake is Rs 4,586 more affordable than the Disc variant of the Hero Glamour X125.

• Also, the TFT DD and SXC DD variants come with a rear disc brake and single-channel ABS, which make the bike more safe to ride, overall.

• The smaller wheel size of the TVS Raider 125 should make the bike more agile to handle while the bigger 18-inch wheel size should help the Hero Glamour X125 handle broken patches of road much better.   

Features

•  Both these bikes are very feature-rich. The Glamour X125 has a coloured LCD instrument console that shows speedometer, odometer, tachometer, trip meter, fuel gauge, gear position indicator and clock readings. 

• The layout of the console is simple and legible. The bike also gets Bluetooth connectivity for call and SMS alerts and turn-by-turn navigation along with all-LED lighting. 

• Also on the features list are three ride modes: Eco, Road and Power and a segment-first cruise control.

• The TVS Raider 125 has a similar set of features with a TFT instrument console in the TFT DD variant. The other variants get a coloured LCD instrument console. The layout of both consoles is snazzy and colourful, in line with the youthful appeal of the bike. 

• It also gets Bluetooth connectivity for call and SMS alerts and turn-by-turn navigation, all-LED lighting and three ride modes: Boost, Eco and Power. This is the first 125cc bike in India to get riding modes.

• Both bikes are neck and neck, so, it all comes down to which set of features suit you the best.

• Here is our detailed features explainer of the TVS Raider 125.

Performance

•  The TVS Raider 125’s engine produces a higher torque output, which should make a difference while making quick overtakes in the city.

• In contrast, the Hero Glamour X125 focuses more on refinement and everyday usability. Its engine emphasises smoothness with good low-mid-range grunt. This matters more than outright punch while commuting in the city.

• What sets the Raider apart further is how well calibrated its dual riding modes are. They give the engine two distinct characters. In Eco mode, the power delivery is linear and composed, making it ideal for daily commutes with mileage being the main focus. Switch to Power mode, and the bike feels noticeably more aggressive. Throttle response and power delivery become sharper.

• This lively nature is complemented by a slick-shifting gearbox, making the TVS Raider 125 genuinely fun to ride in the city.

Verdict

As we’ve seen so far, both bikes fit the premium commuter mould in their own ways. The Hero Glamour X125 has a more matured design, along with features that are friendly for commuting and occasional highway riding. If these aspects are your priority, then the Glamour X125 won’t disappoint. 

On the other hand, the Raider is more of a sporty commuter that is designed to be fun and engaging to ride, complete with geeky features. Those looking for a bike that’s quick, has a ton of features to enhance the riding experience, and is also safe (read ABS), then the Raider is the more appropriate choice. If you have decided to go with the TVS Raider 125, here’s an ultimate buying guide which will help you make a decision.

Comparisons With Other Rivals:

• The Pulsar NS125 looks every bit as sporty as the Raider, and is also slightly powerful.
• When compared with the Xtreme 125R, the 125cc Hero bike has the upper hand when it comes to safety as it gets dual-channel ABS.
• If you're looking for something more subtle, you'll like the Honda Shine 125 over the TVS Raider.
• Pulsar fans also have a more affordable (and consequently, less feature-loaded) option, the Pulsar 125 to choose over the Raider. 
• Yet another Bajaj bike is the Pulsar N125, which has a unique design when compared to the Raider.
• If you're looking for something with a much more conventional design, and is very pocket-friendly, you can check out the Hero Super Splendor.
• Honda also offers a sporty commuter, the SP125. However, it is not as feature-packed as the Raider.

There's also a whole bunch of other bikes and scooters that you can buy for around the same price as the Raider.