I am looking to buy a 125–150 cc scooter for commuting and have shortlisted the Honda Activa 125 and the TVS NTorq 150. My preference is the Activa 125 because of its overall comfort-oriented setup, and it offers adequate performance as well. However, it doesn’t come with ABS, which is why I have shortlisted the NTorq 150 as a backup - solely from the ABS perspective, as I am not interested in the extra power or flashy looks and features. I planned to purchase the Activa 125 in 2025, but I held off because of a report I read on Autocar Online last June stating that the government was likely to make ABS mandatory on 125 cc two-wheelers. When I checked with scooter showrooms, it seems no one has any idea about this. Has the plan been scrapped? Because if that’s the case, I might as well go ahead with the NTorq instead of waiting longer. I would really appreciate your guidance in this matter. Thanks in advance.

Autocar India

•19h

In the family scooter space, the TVS Jupiter, Suzuki Access and Honda Activa models are options that are hard to go wrong with. All are proven models with great service coverage and a reputation for being reliable, fuel-efficient and easy to maintain. While it is true that scootersare more prone to skidding than motorcycles due to their smaller wheels. It also varies from rider to rider and also upon the road conditions. If you are worried about this specific problem, Suzuki now sells the Access with ABS on its top two variants, which should address that qualm. However, if you prefer the stability and comfort of a motorcycle but want to downsize to something more approachable and urban area-friendly than your 350cc Royal Enfield. We'd recommend you look at the lineup of 125cc commuters from TVS, Hero and Honda before making your decision.

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Autocar India

•15h

Within your budget, you have three very different options you can look at - Yamaha XSR155, TVS Apache RTR 200 4V, TVS Ronin and Hero Xpulse 200 4V. The XSR is the least powerful but is also the lightest motorcycle here. It will also feel the sportiest to ride because its engine and underpinnings are derived from the popular Yamaha R15 and MT-15. The downsides of the XSR are that it is a rather petite motorcycle. For someone of large stature such as yourself, this will be a potential challenge, and its rear suspension is quite stiff. It can get uncomfortable over repeated bad patches. The Apache RTR 200 4V is another sporty roadster, and with its larger engine than the XSR, it will feel more at home at sustained higher speeds. Its suspension comfort and more spacious seats will also be helpful for your usage. The TVS Ronin is a relaxed roadster with its smooth and torquey engine and relaxed and neutral ergonomics. Also, plush suspension setup and relatively larger size - compared to the other two bikes here - the Ronin has the potential to be the most suited to your use case.Moving on to the Hero Xpulse 200 4V, this is the bike you should buy if you want to venture off-road on your long tours. It will have by far the most plush suspension of all the bikes here, although its on-road handling will leave you wanting once you pick up the pace. We'd recommend a test ride of all three before you make a decision. Also, do note that all four bikes are all slightly above Rs 1.50 lakh (your stipulated budget), within that amount, there's no credible option for your requirements.

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Autocar India

•18h

Since you've said that most of your riding is relegated to city riding with a pillion, where comfort and fuel efficiency are top priorities, we'd recommend you stick to a premium 125cc commuter. The TVS Raider is a good option as it offers a comfortable ride and a spacious seat for the rider and pillion. In that category, our top picks are the TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125R. Both are available with variants that have a long, single-piece seat, so pillion comfort as well as fuel efficiency will be taken care of. In case you do want to scratch the itch of getting a larger machine, you will be well served by the TVS Ronin as well as the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. Both have smooth, torquey engines, plush suspension and are large enough to carry a pillion. Take a test ride of these bikes and see which one you prefer the most before purchasing.

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