TVS Radeon – a worthy challenger among commuter bikes

No matter how many big bikes are introduced in the Indian market, there is always a big demand for commuter bikes.

There is good reason commuter bike sales figures continue to remain good over the years. They cater to the vast majority of people who do not need a big bike with fancy specifications. Commuter bikes are light on the pocket and get the job done. These bikes might even serve to carry small goods and this is a pretty familiar sight in Indian cities as well as the rural areas. Moreover, commuter bikes are easy to ride and return very good mileage for each litre of petrol.

There are several bikes popular commuter bikes in the Indian market. But Indian automaker TVS Motor Company has upped the game in this segment with the launch of the TVS Radeon. This is an addition to the company’s commuter two-wheeler line-up of Victor, Star City Plus and Sport. Even within their line-up, TVS has done well with stunning new looks that the Radeon has got. The new bike is placed between the Star City Plus and Sport, with the Victor being at the top end of the commuter bike line in TVS.

The introduction of the Radeon has upped the game in this segment and will take on the likes of Hero Splendor and Honda CD 100 Dream DX.

The design of the Radeon is simple, yet elegant. The headlight is surrounded by a chrome bezel and gives the bike a premium look. On the right side, the chrome exhaust pipe also adds to the look of the bike. The fuel tank is also attractively styled with ribbed thigh pads. These features make the bike stand out among its peers.

The Radeon is not just about good looks. The chassis is a super strong box iron single cradle tubular frame type. It has been built to take the rigours of riding on less-than-ideal road conditions in India at times.

This bike has a host of features that will make owning it a great experience. There are a few firsts with the Radeon in this segment including a USB charging port, side stand indicator with a beeper, luggage rack, LED daylight running lamps and synchronised braking technology.

The Radeon is powered by a 109.7 cc four-stroke Duralife engine that can put out 8.4 ps at 7000 rpm and the torque figure is 8.7 Nm at 5000 rpm. This engine has been mated with a four-speed constant mesh gearbox, while the clutch is a wet multi-plate type.

The front suspension is a telescopic oil damped one, while the rear is a five-step adjustable hydraulic shock absorber.

The fuel tank has a capacity of 10 litres, including a reserve of 1.5 litres. TVS claims a fuel efficiency figure of 69.3 Km to the litre.

The tyres are 18 inch tubeless. Braking is provided by 130 and 110 mm drum brakes at the front and rear respectively. The bike has a long wheelbase of 1265 mm and the high ground clearance of 180 mm will make the Radeon tackle the tough Indian road conditions with ease. The bike weighs 112 Kg.

Other features in the Radeon include an electric self-starter, maintenance-free battery, side handle (with hook) for female pillion riders who like to sit sideways, black alloy wheels, four body colours and a flat seat.

The Radeon has been given the Synchronised Braking Technology, which is advanced braking technology that ensures shorter braking distances. This technology works by engaging the front brake automatically when the rear brake is engaged. This ensures bike stability while braking.

The instrument cluster has the analog speedometer, odometer and Power and Economy indicator lights. On the right side of the instrument cluster is the fuel gauge with the side stand indicator.

In totality, the TVS Radeon has all the features the common man requires for commuting. It is easy to ride around in crowded cities because of its manoeuvrability. With a good fuel efficiency figure, it seems to be a good bet that could give its competitors a serious run for their money.

The Radeon is priced at Rs 51,430 (ex-showroom Bengaluru).