TVS Sport: In the competitive world of the Indian two-wheeler segment, where commuter bikes jostle with one another, daily commuters fiercely fighting against the rising costs of fuel, TVS Motor Company has hit the jackpot with the new Sport.
India’s cheapest bikes of 2020 – Bajaj Platina H Gear with its no-nonsense commuter look has silently emerged is coined as India’s most economical bikes featuring the figures as high as 85 kmpl with a price set at a pick-me price of ₹89,478. The perfect storm has sent them soaring in popularity for riders who couldn’t care less what they look like heading to the office.
TVS Sport Maximum How Far is Long Range?
The much advertised mileage claim too isn’t just bragging by the marketing team but the outcome of TVS’s ‘engineered focus’ to ensure not a drop of fuel was wasted.
For most real-life results, the numbers will obviously fluctuate depending on other factors such as the riding conditions, traffic conditions and maintenance of the bike, but it remains to be one of the best mileage offering bikes of the country, with an average rate of 75-85 kmpl during normal usage pattern.
This superb efficiency is largely due to TVS’s thorough honing of the 109.7cc single-cylinder, tuned most notably for economy; but not one to skimp on all performance.
The engine has been developed with low friction precision components, alongwith improved combustion chamber and smart ignition timing to ensure its optimal efficiency.
It also features an “Econometer” function in the instrument console that give riders real-time, graphic guidance to maximize fuel efficiency through a simple and intuitive color-coded display.
It’s a nifty build in to help riders develop thriftier riding style and get the most out of every litre of petrol on their daily rides—something only a rider-friendly company would think of, which TVS apparently is.
Power for the things that matter everyday
Although economy-oriented, the TVS Sport is just about sufficient for its role. The 109.7cc engine churns out 8.18 bhp at 7,350 rpm and 8.7Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm—meagre-sounding numbers that offer just enough grunt to get through city traffic with some amount of ease.
The engine is married to a smooth-shifting four-speed gear-box with a gear pattern to suit Indian riding conditions. Acceleration is, as you’d expect, unimpressive but adequate for the cut-and-thrust of daily schlepping, with the bike feeling at its most responsive in the key 30-60 kmph range that will see the most use in the city.
Most impressive, though, is the refinement of the engine, particularly given the budget positioning of this thing. Vibrations for the most part are kept in check at regular cruising speeds of 40-60 kmph, making it a comfortable ride for both short runs and longer commutes. Push the bike and there’s an 85kmph maximum speed, but it feels much more relaxed at a steady 50-60kmph; a speed where efficiency and comfort achieves just about an ideal balance.
Classic Styling with a Modern Upgrade
It’s aptly proportionate, and TVS has managed to infuse just the right amount of modern styling to ensure that it doesn’t look Grandma’s old. The bike has clean, straight lines, with no frills, which is something that would appeal to its generally conservative target audience, and help it stay timeless design-wise.
With eight colors available, including single- or dual-tone, there’s enough going on with the Sport to offer some variety, but none of the shades is over the top.
Front end gets the eye-shaped headlamp with a narrow visor, and the bike also has an almost flat fuel tank with not so good knee recess, but they are actually positioned in such a way that it offers some support during the long run.
The seating is neutral, and handlebars and footpegs are well-placed to provide an easy and relaxed seating position that does not tire the rider. The long, well-padded seat is suitable for riders of any height and it’s pretty comfortable for the occasional pillion rider too.
On practical front, the bike comes with a sturdy grab rail for the pillion (man), a center stand for convenience when it comes to maintenance, and with a generous 10-litre tank along with the excellent fuel-efficiency offered in everyday riding conditions, one can easily cover over 800 kilometers before the next refuel – a major plus for anyone riding such a machine, especially so in these times and on roads where fuel availability is sparse.
Features and Equipment: Value on the Front Burner
With a price tag of just ₹89,478 (on-road), the TVS Sport is a fairly balanced package of what a commuter rider will need, without the extra jam, which would push its price further up.
The bike gets, what are alloy wheels on almost all versions – these help lower weight and also keep the bike happier by way of maintenance compared to spoke wheels! The lighting is at par expectations with a bright enough headlamp with pass switch to facilitate overtaking and normal indicators and tail lamp that get the job done.
The suspension is rather simple with regular telescopic front forks and 5-step adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear, but it does the trick on most undulations you’d face on the road.
Meanwhile the braking system is taken care of by 130mm drum brakes on either side, and these are complemented by TVS’s Synchronized Braking Technology that’s actuated when the rear brake is stabbed, which should provide greater safety for newer riders.
We like the retro appearance of the mostly-analog instrument cluster (a combination of physical gauges and digital info); it’s a concise readout that includes the speedometer, odometers, and the aforementioned Econometer. It’s not state-of-the-art but it is readable and succinct, without excess complication.
Dependability and Minimal Maintenance Costs
The most awesome fact about the TVS Sport other than its super-efficient performance is that it is known for being extremely and almost to the point of being bulletproof reliable once you adhere to its low-maintenance schedule.
The straightforward, well-proven engine design emphasizes durability over complexity, with fewer things to break and less expensive service over the life of the vehicle.
Service intervals are kept realistic at 3,000 km and most ordinary maintenance items are easy and cheap to replace. The wide service network of TVS means that the infrastructure for support will be there not just in urban centers but in small villages—a point that’s very much a consideration for many buyers where the decision to purchase must include thoughts on what’s available after the sale.
Excellent fuel economy, an affordable purchase price and low cost for parts, service and maintenance make the Versa one of the best long-term value buys for achieving a low cost of ownership.
For those who are budget focused and tend to think long-term instead of the up-front costs, the Sport is a compelling argument for the thriftiest mode of transportation around.
The ordinary biker: pragmatic culture and economy-guided.
The character and the positioning of the TVS Sport is just right for some types of riders. It has big appeal to novice or returning riders who seek solid, no-nonsense middleweight power with minimal maintenance requirements.
For daily commuting especially from average distances, the mix of comfort, efficiency and approachability is enticing, and for students and frugal young professionals alike, the great fuel economy is a major selling point.
The motorcycle is also a hit with the rural buyers, who prefer an easy-to-maintain, durable and less expensive motorcycle. For these types of riders, the Sport’s straight-ahead, no-nonsense approach, ability to be maintained virtually anywhere without breaking the bank, and, quite frankly, pretty impressive interval between stops at a gas station all serve as a big practical benefit if you’re in an area that might not have many service options.
TVS Sport Conclusion: Save Without Sacrificing too Much
The TVS Sport does a good job of fulfilling on its main promise: super budget-friendly wheels at a very accessible price. It stands out with its amazing 85 kmpl economy and with an affordable ₹89,478 price tag, it offers an unbeatable cost of ownership, addressing the concerns of riders who look at more affordable means of commute without compromising on reliability or simple comfort.
It’s not a performance machine, a high-style accessory or a sophisticated luxury-barge, but the Sport brings a lot of the quality, practicality and robust driving experience of the larger Q7 and Q5 down to the sub-$30,000 price point.
2) In a segment, where practicality often takes precedence over matters of the heart, the TVS Sport has all the right ingredients to script an emotional and practical success story for itself, not just for the hard-nosed value seeking commuter but for those with an open heart on two wheels across the length and the breadth of the country.