An Italian legend takes on an Indian maverick – this is an epic battle to determine who’s the King of the street.
This is the ultimate scooter showdown. With us are the two new hottest 125cc scooters that emphasize the sporty nature of their creators. The first is the Aprilia SR125, which has got looks to kill and the heart of a lion. The second is the TVS NTorq, which has got a strong character and ingenious technology.
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These two scooters were launched at roughly the same time, and they’re both the sportiest 125cc scooters available in the market today. While the SR125 is the direct descendant of the Aprilia SR150 – the fastest scooter in India – the TVS is an entirely new machine that’s been under development for some time, and it seems that its designers left no stone unturned to make it one of the best scooters we’ve ever ridden. So, which one of these two is the most fun on the street? Let the battle begin.
All in a name
The Italian has certainly got the looks, and its design clearly grabs attention – as any Italian work of art would. It looks like a proper sports scooter with its sharp edges and race ready graphics. But, what really gets everybody’s attention is the Aprilia badge it wears. Just because of its badge it instantly associates itself with something that is sure to be an amazing ride. The TVS NTorq certainly looks unique, fresh, modern and sporty, but it’s no match for the Italian in this department.
Clawing back some ground
It seems that the Italians spent so much time on the looks that they totally forgot about comfort and practicality. While the Aprilia looks the part, it’s really not that comfortable. The seat is tiny and there’s hardly any space on the floorboard for my feet. The NTorq, on the other hand, has been designed very nicely – not only does it look good, but it also offers plenty of space and it’s ergonomics are excellent. Even the suspension setup is better suited for Indian conditions, and the NTorq really impressed us with its ability to take on any kind of road surfaces while remaining quite kind to your back and butt. The NTorq is the winner here!
Power to the people
On paper, the Aprilia has got a more powerful engine, and even in the real world you can feel the power surge it provides. The SR125 feels powerful and the throttle response is great. If you’re on an open stretch of straight road, you can keep the throttle open and the scooter will continue to pick up speed all the way beyond 100km/h, which is incredible. But, the NTorq is no slouch either. The TVS picks up speed just as well and the power delivery is beautiful. Because it has one horsepower less it doesn’t quite reach 100km/h with me on it, but it does move fast. The NTorq also feels much more refined and that makes the difference here, so once again the NTorq wins.
Ride & handling
Both these machines handle incredibly well. With the Aprilia you do sit a bit higher though, so it’s a little easier to make turns at high speeds – and you can really lean into them. The NTorq is a bit lighter at the front, but it’s incredibly manoeuvrable as well. In fact, in the city, it handles traffic better because it feels lighter and you’re lower to the ground. The ride quality is also far better on the NTorq. The scooter just takes on anything with ease and it’s so easy to handle. So, it looks like the NTorq has got this one as well.
King of the Street
The build quality is very good on both scooters, and they both stand out in their own way – but the NTorq has got a few more tricks. The scooter gets a raft of new features, which are nowhere to be seen on the Aprilia – and even the fully digital instrument cluster is much better than the analogue one on the Italian. While the SR125 is simply an older scooter with an old engine on a new design, the NTorq screams new technology that will surely cater to the youth of India, and it’s also cheaper. In other words, the NTorq is actually the cooler scooter – even if it doesn’t look
like it is.
So, there you have it, the TVS NTorq takes the title – it is the true King of the street.
- Aprilia SR 125
- TVS NTorq 125
Engine: 125cc / Single Cylinder
Transmission: CVT
Power: 10.5bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 10.6Nm @ 6,000rpm
Price: ₹63,500 (Ex-Showroom, Delhi)
X-factor: Sporty, good looks, and it’s an Aprilia
| Pros • Design • Engine • Handling | Cons • Cramped • Firm ride |
Engine: 125cc / Single Cylinder
Transmission: CVT
Power: 9.2bhp@ 7,500rpm
Torque: 10.5Nm @ 5,500rpm
Price: ₹ 58,850 (Ex-showroom)
X-factor: Stylish, well-built and packs a host of connectivity features. Plus, it rides and handles beautifully. Another winner for TVS.
| Pros • Design • Comfort • Refinement | Cons • Nothing ! |
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