2018 TVS Ntorq 125 long term review, second report

The Ntorq has many wonderful features baked into its fully digital display, but that’s not why I’m enjoying this scooter. In fact, I hardly even look at the screen, apart from an occasional check of the time and to keep a watch on the fuel level. Bluetooth connectivity is a wonderful feature, but I like my riding to be my ‘me time’ – the phone can be addressed when I’m not on the road.

SCREEN TIME: Digital display stayed completely watertight through the monsoon.

What keeps me excited to ride this cheery yellow treat every day is just how competent a scooter it is. The suspension set-up is better than any scooter I’ve experienced in India to date, and it’s surprisingly comfortable over the rough stuff as well. As a result, I’m not backing off from anything (which also explains that fuel efficiency figure) and the scooter has been taking it well with no rattles or loose panels so far. But it’s not just the cushy suspension. The Ntorq is quick enough to keep me engaged, predictably stable, and it stops well too, even if the front brake feel is rather vague. What keeps me happiest is that all six feet of me fits comfortably on it and the handlebar doesn’t meet my knees.

AUDIO ASSISTANCE: Audible chime is a good reminder to turn the indicators off!

I don’t have the luxury of a sheltered parking at home, so the Ntorq has been parked in the open for a majority of the mighty Mumbai monsoon. After weeks of incessant rain, neither the digital screen nor the external fuel filler cap has let any water through, so that’s been good. However, cold starts have never been its strong point and it takes a while for the auto-choke to kick in – the scooter fires up after a few cranks of the starter.

DISTORTED VISION: Those lines should be straight, both mirrors distort at the edges.

So that’s the good bit, but on the downside, we had an unusual issue with a sticky throttle. I noticed that if the throttle was quickly twisted open to full, it wouldn’t automatically return to closed when you let it go. The scooter was immediately sent to the service centre where they opened it up, found no signs of damage and returned it to me, but were at a loss for what could have happened. We’ve never dropped the scooter, so that was ruled out. The Ntorq ran fine for a few days before the stickiness returned. This time the folks at the service centre added an extra washer, which seems to have solved the issue permanently.

STICKY SITUATION: Throttle would occasionally stay open, had to be closed manually.

This has been quite a strange occurrence and TVS says they haven’t heard of the issue. Let us know if you or someone you know has faced something similar with the Ntorq.