TVS RAIDER 125 , New Kid on the Block!!!
TVS motor company, the Hosur based manufacturer has launched an all new product offering in the 125cc segment, called the ‘Raider.’ The Raider is TVS motor company’s contender to compete in the over-heating 125cc motorcycle segment, where already there is Hero’s Glamour, Honda’s Shine, Bajaj’s Pulsar 125, NS125, KTM’s Duke & RC125 competing for the title.
So, We got a chance to test the All new Raider at TVS’s Hosur Facility, and 1 thing I could definitely say after the test ride was that, it definitely does not look, feel, ride like any other 125cc motorcycle out there. The Raider is built from ground up, with an all new 3-valved engine, new chassis, new instrument cluster and an all new body styling with the target market being the gen Z. The Raider is exactly what todays Young gen might want from their 125cc motorcycle , Stylish, performance oriented, comfortable for city as well as highways, loaded with technology and a fun to ride motorcycle. And if the motorcycle could offer riding modes, that’s like the cherry on the cake. And that’s exactly what TVS has delivered with the ‘Raider.’
Lets dive into the motorcycle now.
Speaking about the design part, TVS has made sure to make the Raider looks distinct from anything the industry has witnessed till date. It gets this all new LED Headlight with DRLs which looks like inverted horns of the Devil, enhancing the WICKED look of the bike. Overall, the Raider comes forward as a macho, premium & feature loaded motorcycle. Complementing the front end is the sleek Rear end, The all new LED tail-lamp resembles the devil’s horns, just like the front end, which add a sense of completeness to the bike. The bike gets a split-seat setup for better comfort of the rider. The All new fuel tank comes with 10L capacity, and gets this stylish body panels to cover it up. The tank also gets shrouds on the front, like we have seen on the earlier apache 160’s and 200’s which carries the TVS’s logo monogram, adding to its overall premium feel.
The Raider gets its branding on the side panel, which is different from what we have normally seen. It gets this 3D Monogram sticker which adds to the overall premium feel of the bike. The Clutch & brake levers too are in chrome finish, adding to its premium feel. The pillion grab handle is neatly designed and integrated in the overall design, such that it complements the macho feel. The exhaust barrel is beefy, adding to the overall macho beefed up feel of the bike. Not just the looks, but the exhaust note too is throaty & bassy, something I have never experienced on a 125cc motorcycle. TVS has paid attention to detail in terms of designing it and setting the right pitch, making sure that the exhaust note goes in line with its WICKED design.
The instrument cluster, as said is all new. It gets this negative LED display that gives you information like side stand, trip meter A & B, Digital tachometer, digital speedometer, digital clock, digital fuel gauge, range to empty, top speed indicator, riding mode indicator & what now. It’s the most feature loaded cluster, I have yet to see in a 125cc motorcycle. That’s not all, it also gets Bluetooth connectivity to be paired with TVS mobile app, so you can get call notifications, navigation support etc.
TVS has delivered a spectacular product, that looks fresh & young, modern and eager to hit the roads. The Headlight provides good illumination, though we couldn’t test it much after sunset. The Raider will be available in 4 different color options, Blue, Yellow, Red and Black.
Now speaking about how the bike rides.
The Raider is powered by an all newly developed 3-valved engine mated to a 5 speed gearbox. With a bore x stroke of 53.5 x 55.5mm, this engine delivers 8.37KW of power@7500rpm and 11.2Nm of Torque@ 6000rpm. The engine delivers linear power delivery & gear shifts are butter smooth. TVS has equipped the engine with an oil -cooler for better heat dissipation and long term reliability of the engine. The block piston cylinder too gets a oil – spray nozzle to provide continuous lubrication to the heating parts. TVS has used their years of racing experience and equipped the RAIDER with all the latest technologies to make the engine powerful and reliable at the same time.
The engine also gets TVS’s patented Intelli-Go technology, which is basically the start-stop-go system. The Raider also gets 2 riding modes, which is a 1st in the segment, setting a new benchmark. The Raider gets two modes, namely the POWER mode & the ECONOMY mode. TVS says, the mode change alters the timing and fueling of the engine to deliver distinct performance on both modes. The POWER mode allows the RAIDER to touch top speeds of 100-104kmph meter indicated, while -the ECO mode restricts the bike at around 75-80kmph. The power delivery too is different on both the modes, allowing to choose what you want from your RAIDER, may it be your daily office commute in city traffic or it be a weekend highway ride.
Speaking about the Intelli-Go technology, every time you ride the bike in ECO mode, the bike understands that you plan to ride in a city traffic situation, so everytime you stop at any signal or traffic jam, the engine auto cuts off saving your precious fuel. The engine fires up as soon as you twist the throttle and you are ready to go. We have seen this technology in Hero’s motorcycles before, good to see TVS upgrading itself. All this is possible thanks to the direct induced starter motor system developed by TVS, allowing them to skip the Starter motor part itself, saving atleast 4-5 kgs of mass.
The chassis too has been developed from scratch. Its amazingly balanced and I could feel the Apache hereditary control and agility in it. Its beautifully balanced, its agile and loves to lean in corners. Even on high speeds, it rides very composed and balanced. Aiding this ride quality are the twin 30mm forks on the front, and the 5 step adjustable suspension on the rear. TVS has though of it all, what riders might need to make the ride comfortable & plush. Weighing just 123 kgs, its one of the lightest motorcycles in the segment, and this gives it a good power to weight ratio. Less weight also means less stress, which is a win-win for the rider.
Braking responsibilities are handled by a 230mm disk on the front, and a 130mm drum brake on the rear. It provides ample bite and confidence to the rider to push the raider hard. In terms of safety, TVS has equipped the RAIDER with Combi brake system, which helps in reducing the stopping distances.
Overall, the RAIDER is a premium motorcycle with all the right boxes ticked in terms of riding experience, comfort and technology. Priced at just Rs.77,500, I feel the RAIDER is all set to surprise its competitors and the market with its styling and features. The features are right, ride quality is apt, and the pricing is spot on.Only time will decide the fate of RAIDER in the Indian market, but I already have a feeling, its all set to become TVS’s best selling motorcycle in the market.
