Scooters have gone from elementary and convenience oriented to being feature-packed and fast. In the Indian context, smartphone-level of expectation is something buyers in the 125cc segment also crave. So, for this comparison, we’ve brought along the TVS Ntorq 125, the Aprilia SR 125 and the Honda Grazia.
The Ntorq is the newest here and it does look flashy from most angles. The under-styled front is a disappointment, but the over-styled rear-end compensates for this. So, what you get is a sporty scooter but, not as sporty as the Aprilia. From this lot, this scooter isn’t the best in terms of fit and finish either. The Grazia’s design is straightforward, and in this shade of white it’s a clean, crisp looker. The panels are beautiful and align perfectly well on the Grazia. Even the textures are tasteful, sure they’re not as dynamic as the ones on the Ntorq. The bike isn’t overly sport but it strikes a good balance and for some, that’s the ideal recipe. But, this isn’t a scooter that’ll turn heads.
Aprilia’s SR 125, however, is blatantly sporty and with its tall-ish, edgy stance it’s the best alternative motorcycle. If you’re in the market for a super sporty bike, then you’re going to love this one – it’s easily the best-looking sporty scooter in the country right now, by a long shot. But, this isn’t the best built amongst the three, it doesn’t offer a premium touch-and-feel experience like the other two.
The Grazia is a typically-Honda package. The scooter is designed to do its job well but it’s not exhilarating. The Grazia’s 124.9cc motor makes 8.5hp and 10.54Nm and it sounds refined all the way up to 65kph, post which it loses steam and composure. The Grazia is a city-happy scooter, and is stress-free to own, but it lacks the excitement you’d want out of a sporty 125cc scooter.
The Ntorq uses a 124.7cc, 3-valve motor that makes 9.4hp and 10.5Nm. The scooter is the quickest of the lot, and hits 60kph in 8.81sec. The scooter even makes an almost RTR-ish soundtrack. The scooter is generally vibe-free and consistently tractable. This engine makes you feel like it was conceived with a higher power output in mind, but it has swayed the way of efficiency instead, which is fine since it now strikes a good balance.
The SR’s 125cc, 3-valve motor sounds rough, but feels just as effortless as the Ntorq. It makes 9.52hp and 9.8Nm. This scooter makes the least torque and is the slowest of the three.
A 125cc scooter is meant to be, both, a step-up from your average 100cc scooter and a legitimate alternative to a motorcycle, so in this test, while it is a close battle between the Ntorq and the SR 125, it's the SR 125 that is the best here.
How do they ride and handle? The Grazia is flickable and fairly stable but its ergonomics aren’t most suitable for the city or for taller riders. The rear is sprung softly and, overall, this is a conservative handling package. It’s indulgent in the corners but it isn’t the best of the three. The SR 125, on the other hand, is nothing but fun and sporty – it’s the sharpest handling scooter we’ve ever ridden and its responses are intuitive and addictive. An area of concern though is the suspension. This is, by far, the least pliant scooter we’ve ridden. It’s setup favours hard cornering, so it’s quite stiff and this leads to constant jarring on bumps on Indian roads.
The Ntorq is the most mature scooter of the three. It’s ride quality is the best that a scooter has ever offered in India. It handles potholes with a muted ‘thump’ and you get on most scooters and there is a plushness to it that other scooters haven’t matched so far. While its handling isn’t razor-sharp it’s got good reflexes and responds to inputs with poise. And, while the Ntorq is confident and strong on the brakes, the front brake lever feels slightly wooden.
Overall, then, it’s the TVS that wins this part of the comparison.
As far as features are concerned, the Ntorq comes with an engine-kill switch, a comprehensive digital instrument cluster with its SmartXonnect phone-pairing feature, an under-seat USB charger and also an illuminated storage area. The Grazia is the first Indian scooter to offer an LED headlight, it also gets a fully digital instrument cluster and the only gimmick it offers is a tachometer. A USB charger is an optional accessory on the Grazia (Rs 500), also it does get an enclosed stowage compartment (non-lockable) in the apron area. The SR 125 gets an analogue instrument cluster and, not much else. While it does have the biggest fuel tank of the lot (7 litres; the Grazia and Ntorq offer 5.3 litres and 5 litres, respectively), it offers very little in terms of features.
The TVS Ntorq, at Rs 58,750, feels like the best overall package. It scores high on features, ride and handling, practicality and appeals to a balanced demographic. The Grazia’s Rs 62,505 is also reasonably priced and will be easy to live with (it’s also the most fuel efficient), but in this comparison, the Ntorq does everything the Honda does and more. The SR’s price tag of Rs 66,764 (all prices, ex-showroom, Delhi) shows that it isn’t too cleverly priced since it has the least to offer. It’s the best scooter if you want to race around but that’s it. Period. You might as well spend a little more and get the SR150, which costs Rs 70,939.
So, the result is clear enough – the TVS Ntorq 125 wins since it’s the scooter that offers the best of all worlds.
