2018 TVS Ntorq 125 long term review, first report

Scooters and I go a long, long way. I learnt to ride on one – a dark blue LML Vespa NV, which had a thing for creeping up on (and embarrassing) unsuspecting Pulsars and CBZs, when those were brand new. Not having any pocket money meant I’d go without a replacement clutch cable for months, but the incentive was a crash course – perhaps a bit too literally – in wheelies and clutch-less gearshifts. I mildly tremble in fear when I look over my shoulder at those fast and foolish days, but the bond it established with small-wheeled scooters has been an indelible one.

You can imagine my delight at having found an alter ego (to some extent – a 2-stroke will always be holier) in the TVS Ntorq 125, then. Having inadvertently found myselfin the possession of the scooter, I thought it would go down the same way some other scooters in the past have – a Sunday morning errand run, at best. And then the last 1,000km followed. The Ntorq, you see, has arguably the best ride quality over any scooter in India and it’s quick enough to hold your attention, too. In other words, it has the two things you really need for the demanding urban commute. In the three weeks or so I’ve had it, it has been subjected to relentless real-world testing. Despite going to torturous lengths, it’s still absolutely intact – and so am I, if you’d like to know.

The Ntorq’s seat is very comfortable for both, rider and pillion, and the illuminated underseat storage (with a USB charger) is generous and very practical. With enough room to carry a backpack, a spare visor, an extra set of gloves and a book or two, the Ntorq’s taken a load off my back, literally. What I still haven’t come to terms with is the front brake, which lacks the progression and feel of the rear brake; I hope it gets better with time as the pads bed in. Lastly, for all the SmartXonnect hype, I haven’t even bothered pairing my phone to it. Maybe I was never the target audience for that sort of technology, but I think it’s got more to do with the fact that I just couldn’t wait to ride it!