TVS Motor Company is expanding into the 125 cc segment. With the sporty Ntorq and Raider, the company completes its trinity with its latest offering, TVS Jupiter 125. It is a family scooter that takes the legacy of Jupiter forward. After all, the company sold over 4.5 million examples of the Jupiter 110 in less than a decade, so what better name for its next family scooter. But it’s not a big displacement Jupiter with the same chassis. The scooter is brand new, built from the ground up, and features a new engine, chassis and innovations. But why does TVS need two 125cc scooters? Think of it this way, if NTorq is the younger brother, it’s the dutiful, it’s all-family brother. And dare I say, this could be the new volume spinner for the manufacturer.
Read also: TVS Jupiter 125 launched in India
Watch: TVS Jupiter 125 First Ride Review
Jupiter 125 looks familiar but has many premium elements. The all-metal body has been retained
design
The new TVS Jupiter 125 looks familiar but is very premium. It is still equally conservative in appearance but this is what the 125cc family scooter customer prefers. It is instantly recognizable but you know it is a great model both in looks and proportions. It also gets a number of distinctive elements like LED guide lights that provide a sharp look, while the LED headlamps are a nice touch. The clear-lens taillight also gets the signature pattern and adds to the premium appeal and so does the 3D badge.
The top variant we tested gets diamond-cut alloy wheels with chrome inserts on the front apron, headlamp surround, side panels and exhaust muffler. We also liked the integrated reflector in the Grab Rail which improves visibility for other road users and is a clever integration. Better visibility equals more safety on a two wheeler! We love the white, blue, and gray options as well as vibrant color options like this bright orange on our test model.
The fuel tank is now placed under the floorboard and the fuel-filler lid faces forward, convenient and easy to access with the all-in-one ignition switch.
Features and ergonomics
Jupiter 125 has also brought many innovations with it. The fuel filler lid has been moved forward and the 5-litre fuel tank has been moved under the floorboard. This makes a big difference to the scooter in many ways. First, the redesigned fuel tank has made way for a larger boot capacity. At 32 litres, it gets the largest under-seat storage space on a petrol scooter and is second only to the 36-litre capacity of the Ola S1 Pro electric scooter. TVS claims that it is good enough to fit two helmets but you still can’t fit a full size helmet. You also get a USB charging slot with all-in-one ignition and an open glovebox.
The seat is 25mm longer and 40mm longer for the rear sitter, which is 65mm longer overall than the Jupiter 110.
Now, the TVS Jupiter 125 is a smartly packed scooter. Its wheelbase at 1275 mm is similar to the 110 cc version but it is one of the largest scooters in its class. This seat is 65 mm longer than the 110 version. It is also quite wide and it makes way for ample space. It’s comfortable and supports your hindquarters well, while the soft cushioning is ideal for short rides. At 765mm, the seat height is the lowest in the segment and makes it easily accessible to all.
The under-seat storage capacity is an impressive 32 liters but you still can’t fit in a full-size helmet. For everything else, there’s enough and more room now
There’s also ample knee room and the handlebar and knee don’t obstruct each other. And that’s great for some people as tall as this reporter. Plus, there’s enough legroom that will allow you to switch positions until you find a comfortable stance. For those sitting in the back, the long footpegs are a nice touch, given that the Jupiter sits further back than the position on 110.
While the ergonomics and features are sorted, the build quality left us wanting more. Customers will love the all-metal body but the quality of the plastic could have been better and we did notice panel gaps in some places, something we hope will improve with the production model.
The console is simple, effective and easy to read, with a digital display that packs all the necessary information
instrument console
The Jupiter 125 uses a conventional instrument console with a small digital readout that shows average fuel efficiency, instant fuel efficiency, draining distance, three trip meters, low battery indicator, helmet reminder and many other telltale lights. The scooter also gets a side stand cut-off switch and auto start/stop feature which TVS calls Inteligo which works well. It also has a one-touch start feature which works great. For those wanting a SmartXonect variant, TVS tells us that one is being planned and will be introduced at a later stage.
Telescopic forks and a segment-first gas-charged rear monohawk absorb ups and downs with ease
Ride Quality and Comfort
Comfort is an important aspect for the TVS Jupiter customer and the 125cc variant impresses on that front… The ride quality is superb, the telescopic forks absorb ups and downs well, while the gas-charged rear monoshock in the segment The first is and provides better absorption. On the rumble strip on the track, the softly sprung set-up did a good job of keeping the ride flexible. But we look forward to thorough on-road testing to see how it performs on open roads.
The engine is tuned for low and mid-range grunt and is fastest between 0-60 kmph
engine and performance
The Jupiter 125 gets a newly developed 124.8 cc single-cylinder engine which is more compact and lighter than other comparable 125 cc units. TVS has worked on airflow into the engine for better performance and efficiency, while power is sent to the rear wheel using double cog belts for greater durability. The fuel-injected, 2-valve motor produces 8.18 bhp at 6000 rpm and 10.5 Nm of peak torque at 4500 rpm, while mated to a CVT automatic.
The power figures are at par with the segment rivals while the scooter makes almost 1 bhp less than the NTorq. However, it is also a good 9 kg lighter than the curb weight of 109 kg.
This translates into a quick scooter with the engine tuned for more low- and mid-range power. The speed builds up rapidly from 0 to 60 kmph, while reaching 80 kmph takes some effort. The level of refinement is exactly what we have been expecting from TVS’s new offerings in recent times.
check out: TVS Jupiter 125 Review Image Gallery
The Jupiter 125 is fairly stable at high speeds. The level of refinement is top-notch even though the engine is slightly audible at high rpm
Torque delivery is at a linear peak at 4,500 rpm and as you twist the throttle, there’s a lot of grunt at the lower end to keep you charged. The in-gear acceleration is pretty good between 20 and 60 kmph. And most city users will be more active in those motions on a daily basis. The sweet spot rests at 70kmph and the scooter can cruise smoothly with little blast left for overtakes. Jupiter 125 tops out around 84kmph and it will take some effort to climb further.
Now TVS will not reveal the fuel efficiency figures, but they say that it is about 10 percent more efficient than the 125cc scooter.
The braking system with front disc on the top-end variant is one of the best in the segment
handling and brakes
The combination of 12-inch alloy wheels provides high-speed stability and a good job even around corners. And there is an auxiliary fuel tank in the cornering effort which brings about a revised weight distribution. In fact, the Jupiter 125 gets a 60:40 (front: rear) bias for its weight, unlike most scooters that are rear-biased. In addition, the deployed fuel tank brings a lower center of gravity and this translates to better handling. You enter a corner with more confidence and it simply proceeds through the turn. Of course, it’s not as sharp and dynamic as the TVS NTorq, but it doesn’t have to be either. Jupiter 125 is all about balance…
The scooter also gets great brakes which give a lot of feedback. When you press the lever there is enough connection and the scooter stops in its tracks without much drama. This is easily one of the best braking systems in the segment.
TVS Jupiter 125 will impress buyers with its thoughtful features
Price and Verdict
Prices of the new TVS Jupiter 125 start at Rs 73,400 for the sheet metal version. The drum-alloy variant costs ₹76,800 while the disc variant costs ₹81,300 (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi). The starting price is on par with the segment leader, Suzuki Access 125 as well as Honda Activa 125. The company is pushing the scooter at par with its rivals and the model has a lot going for it. A lot of thought has gone into giving the customer what they want and this will impress most buyers.
0 notes
Jupiter 125 emerges as an over 110 development in every possible way and really does justice to the name which is popular with so many homes across India. But the big question is whether it can beat the undisputed leader of the segment, the Suzuki Access 125. And let me tell you, doing this for the new commuter of TVS will be a long task. So is Jupiter 125 ready for this, we plan to find out very soon.
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