TVS Radeon

I’ve ridden my fair share of commuter motorcycles over the years, including some that impressed me with refinement, and others that got the job done and nothing more. The TVS Radeon fits somewhere in between. After spending time with it in real-world traffic and short highway stints, what struck me most is its clarity of purpose. This isn’t a motorcycle trying to be everything at once. It’s trying to be the commuter motorcycle for someone who wants fuss-free, fuel-efficient, everyday transport that feels a bit more grown-up than barebones options like the Bajaj CT 100 or TVS Sport.

But just how much more premium is it? Does it offer something genuinely different from the segment-dominating Hero Splendor? And most importantly, is it worth your money? Here’s what I found after living with it for two weeks.

Design

I wasn’t expecting anything dramatic the first time I laid eyes on the TVS Radeon, and that’s by design. It is safe and conventional, and that’s in no way a criticism. In fact, in the world of commuters, “safe” is what sells.

TVS has leaned into this philosophy quite confidently. The silhouette is upright, compact, and familiar. The round headlamp, the sculpted fuel tank with its recessed knee contours and grips, and the flat seat all harken back to the golden formula of Indian commuter bikes. There’s a slight throwback to older models like the TVS Centra and early Hero Honda bikes, and I think that’s intentional.

What adds a touch of sophistication is the chrome treatment in key areas: it’s not overdone, and it doesn’t feel like an afterthought. Instead, it manages to lend the bike a premium air without stepping out of the segment’s comfort zone.

Colours

I liked the Radeon in Royal Purple, one of the brighter shades, and it turned heads, but not in the “what is that?” kind of way. More like a “huh, that looks nice” kind of way. TVS offers eight different colours across two variants – DT Blue Black, DT Red Black, Black,All Black, Starlight Blue, Metal Black, Titanium, and the aforementioned Royal Purple – which is unusually generous for a 110cc commuter. It’s nice to see some variety for once. Matte and gloss finishes are both available depending on the trim.

That said, some colours work better than others. The gold engine casing on certain shades pops out in just the right way, whereas on others it can look slightly mismatched. Still, I appreciate that TVS didn’t just give us three greys and a red and call it a day.

Wheels

The blacked-out five-spoke alloy wheels really do elevate the look of the Radeon. They’re nothing exotic but the finish is good and they make the overall appearance sharper than a bike with spoke wheels. There’s no 17-inch vs 18-inch debate here. The Radeon gets large 18-inch wheels front and back, which also contribute to a more planted ride feel, as we’ll discuss later.

Quality

This is where I was genuinely impressed. I’ve ridden more expensive bikes that felt looser in their panel fitment and switchgear. But on the Radeon, everything from the tank welds to the switches felt tight and well-finished. I didn’t hear any rattles during my test, even when I deliberately rode it over less-than-ideal surfaces.

TVS seems to have invested heavily in making this commuter feel like a tier above in terms of build. That matters a lot in the long term because commuter bikes are often abused, rarely garaged, and still expected to last a decade without throwing up any tantrums.

Safety Features

The Radeon doesn’t go overboard on safety kit, but what’s there is functional. The combined braking system helps modulate front and rear braking effort, especially useful for riders who don’t habitually use the front brake enough. It’s subtle, but it does its job.

The side-stand indicator is a very underrated feature. I’ve had too many faux passes in the past where I forgot to kick the stand back. The warning light is clear, and the optional side-stand alarm, while unduly loud, is effective.

Convenience Features

Depending on the variant, you get either a dual-pod analogue cluster or a digital LCD display. I rode both variants back to back, and personally, I found the analogue dials easier to read at a glance. The reverse-lit “Digi Cluster” LCD unit is modern, and also comes with a couple more indicators like real-time mileage, but it washes out under bright sunlight, which can be frustrating.

One thoughtful feature is the LED DRL beneath the headlamp. It complies with AHO regulations but also doubles as a helpful illumination source in dark parking lots. There’s even an optional USB charger tucked under the headlamp casing. It’s a bit awkward in terms of cable routing, but it’s better than nothing and works reliably.

There’s no tachometer, no trip meter, and no gear position indicator. I don’t miss them. In a commuter, the most important information is speed, fuel level, and whether you left your side stand down. The Radeon nails that core display set.

Rider Comfort

Ergonomically, the Radeon really hit the sweet spot for me. The seat height is low enough to be unintimidating for shorter riders (I stand 5’6”), and the handlebar is raised just enough to encourage a relaxed, upright posture. Your arms fall naturally in line with the bars and your back remains straight, even during longer city commutes.

Over multiple test rides, including a couple of longer ones during peak traffic, I noticed no strain on my shoulders or wrists. The seat cushioning is on the softer side, which is ideal for short hops. However, after an hour or so, I did start to feel the beginnings of that familiar lower back pressure that plagues most commuter seats.

Pillion Comfort

Pillion space is adequate, but not exactly plush. The seat is long enough to accommodate most body types, but it’s a bit narrow. My pillion commented on the lack of width, especially towards the rear. There are chrome grab handles which are solid and easy to reach, and the step-up is gentle enough that even older pillions won’t struggle.

I’d say the pillion experience is better than some budget scooters, but still far from tourer-level comfort. For short city runs, though, it’s more than acceptable for its target demographic.

Engine

Under the Radeon’s tank lies a Eco-Thrust fuel-injected 109.7cc single-cylinder air-cooled motor. TVS calls it the Dura Life engine, and while that’s marketing lingo, the tuning is genuinely commuter-focused. Power figures stand at 8.08PS and 8.7Nm, which sounds humble, but the way that torque is delivered is what makes the bike feel lively.

City Performance

Throttle response is immediate and predictable. I rode the bike through dense traffic and was pleasantly surprised by how tractable it felt in low gears. You can crawl along in 3rd gear at 20–25kmph and still pull away cleanly. It doesn’t knock or judder like some of the older 100cc bikes used to. I also noticed how quickly it got off the line at traffic signals. The gearing is short and the clutch action is light. Together, they make the Radeon a really good traffic companion.

Highway Performance

This is where the limits start to show. Up to about 60–65kmph, the Radeon feels planted and reasonably refined. Push it past 70kmph, and you start to feel a soft buzz through the pegs and tank. By 75kmph, the engine is audibly strained.

I wouldn’t call this a weakness, since it’s not meant to be a highway bike. But if your daily route involves stretches of open road, keep in mind that this is a 60kmph cruiser, not an 80kmph tourer.

Gearbox

The 4-speed gearbox follows the commuter trademark “all-down” shift pattern and feels slick. During my test ride, I never encountered a missed shift or false neutral. Gear changes are light and quick, which is especially helpful when navigating start-stop traffic. There’s no gear indicator on the cluster, but honestly, I never missed it. You know instinctively which gear you’re in based on engine feel.

Mileage / Range

Fuel economy is a major strength here. In city conditions, I got 66.29kmpl consistently, and even on the highway, it returned 63.97kmpl. These are real-world figures that make the Radeon one of the more efficient bikes in its class. Combine that with a reasonably sized fuel tank (10 litres), and you’re looking at a real-world range of 600–650km per tank if you ride conservatively.

Underpinnings

The chassis is a single cradle tubular frame, the same basic layout as most commuters, but with decent suspension tuning. You get a telescopic fork up front and twin rear shock absorbers with 5-step preload adjustability.

Ride Quality

I purposely rode over broken patches, expansion joints, and potholes during my test, and the Radeon handled them with more grace than I expected. The suspension feels soft but not overly bouncy. It doesn’t crash over sharp bumps, and the long seat helps spread out the impact.

The preload adjustment at the rear is genuinely useful if you’re a heavier rider or carry a pillion regularly. I set it to the middle setting for most of my ride and found the balance just right.

TVS Radeon Handling (3/5)

Underpinnings

With a kerb weight of 113 kg (Drum) and 115 kg (Disc), the Radeon feels light on its feet. The tubular frame, combined with the 18-inch wheels, helps the bike feel balanced without being twitchy.

Brakes

This is one area where I felt the Radeon could do better. The top-end variant I tested came with a front disc, and while it does its job, it lacks bite. Panic braking from 60kmph requires a firm squeeze, and there’s no ABS to save you if things go sideways.

The drum variants are even less confidence-inspiring under hard braking. TVS’s synchronized braking technology (SBT) helps a little, but riders who rely on the front brake will still feel the lack of stopping power.

City Handling

This is where the bike shines. You can dart through narrow gaps, make tight U-turns, and park it in crowded spots without a second thought. The high handlebar does limit flickability slightly, but unless you’re comparing it to a performance naked, it won’t bother you.

Highway Handling

Stability is decent up to 60–65kmph, and crosswinds don’t throw it off its line. But once you go beyond that, the front end starts to feel a little light. It’s not dangerous, but you do feel the need to keep both hands firm on the bar.

Cornering

There’s not much corner-carving joy here, and that’s fine. The Radeon wasn’t made to attack twisties. That said, I found the grip levels of the TVS Dura Grip tyres acceptable for city riding, but they do feel a bit nervous on loose gravel or wet patches.

Verdict

After riding the Radeon extensively, my takeaway is this: it does everything a commuter should do, and then adds just enough refinement, build quality, and efficiency to feel like a smart buy. It doesn’t try to be sporty. It doesn’t try to be tech-heavy. And because of that focus, it succeeds.

Variants

You’ve got two main variants to choose from: the base model with the analogue console and the top-end Digi Cluster edition. I’d recommend the latter if your budget allows it, simply for the extra visual appeal and useful features.

The Radeon’s most obvious rival is the Hero Splendor Plus, which offers better service network reach and slightly better resale. But the Radeon fights back with a stronger mid-range, better build, more features, and a slightly more premium experience.

Its other competitors include the Honda CD 110 Dream and Bajaj Platina 110, both of which offer great mileage but fall behind in terms of overall finish and features