Hero Xtreme 125R vs TVS Raider 125 Comparison Review: Frugal Fun

The commuter segment in India is so vast and diverse that there is a motorcycle to suit the preferences of every type of rider. These days, however, premium, fun-to-ride bikes that blend the feel and features of more expensive offerings with the practicality of urban commuters seem to be in trend. Now, one such motorcycle is the TVS Raider, which, arguably, made other manufacturers take this niche more seriously. While a bit late, Hero also had a lightbulb moment and realised it had all the resources it needed to take advantage of this emerging niche. By combining a modified engine from the Glamour with the chassis and suspension components of the Xtreme 160R, the company came up with a worthy contender – the Xtreme 125R. So, the question is – which of these two offerings should you go for? Well, let’s find out.

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Hero Xtreme 125R vs TVS Raider 125 Comparison Review: Design, Build Quality

Now, both motorcycles sport an edgy design and are quite good-looking in their own way. While the Raider has a boldly designed front and rear fascia, the middle section leans towards a more traditional commuter look. What initially seemed like radical styling now seems a bit subdued in this comparison.

The Xtreme, on the other hand, looks and feels like a bigger motorcycle, with sharp and bold styling throughout the bike. Everything about it – from the headlight cowling and fuel tank to the tail section – contributes to its sporty stance. Interestingly, one of my colleagues, although jokingly, went as far as to say that it resembles a mini Ducati Streetfighter. While it might be a bit of a stretch, it, nevertheless, suggests that Hero has done something right.

In terms of build quality, the TVS Raider definitely has an edge over the Xtreme, as it uses slightly better quality materials. Now, don’t get me wrong, both bikes are more or less similar in this regard, but the Xtreme does show signs of cost-cutting in areas like the quality of switchgear, paint finish, and paint overrun on the frame.

Hero Xtreme 125R vs TVS Raider 125 Comparison Review: Feature, Ergonomics

In terms of features, once again, the Raider edges out the Xtreme, but just barely. The Raider offers a premium-looking 5-inch colour TFT screen, TVS SmartXonnect connectivity features, two ride modes, and LED lights all around. The Xtreme, too, holds its own with features like mobile connectivity, a start-stop switch, a 7-step adjustable Showa mono-shock, and a first-in-segment single-channel ABS. That said, it does seem to fall a bit short of the Raider’s glam factor. Though, it does make up for it with more practical features. So, it seems that the choice here is between the tech-laden yet somewhat conservatively styled Raider and the practically kitted and sharply-styled Xtreme 125R.

What’s common between the two is that both are light and comfortable for everyday riding. Yes, the Xtreme is roughly 13kg heavier than the Raider, but it does a good job of effectively masking this extra weight. Ironically, the Hero Xtreme 125R offers a more neutral riding position than the Raider, which means less fatigue over extended use.

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The Raider, on the other hand, has a bit more aggressive and committed riding position, which obviously means a sportier feel. Additionally, the Raider has a 780mm seat height, which is lower than the Xtreme’s 794mm seat height. However, both bikes offer the same ground clearance of 180mm.

What about pillion comfort? The variants of both bikes we tested had a split seat setup. Now, the TVS Raider does get the option of a single-piece seat, but it can only be had in the lower variants with fewer features. Having experienced both motorcycles as a rider and a pillion, I found that you sit lower and more comfortably on the Raider. However, the pillion also experiences more vibrations from the footpegs of the Raider.

Hero Xtreme 125R vs TVS Raider 125 Comparison Review: Performance, Mileage

The Raider is powered by an air-and-oil cooled motor, which produces 11.2bhp and 11.2Nm of torque. The Xtreme, on the other hand, features an air-cooled motor, producing 11.4bhp and 10.5Nm of torque. I used both bikes for my 35km Delhi-Gurgaon commute, and it became clear that the Raider felt the easiest to ride and most at home in city traffic and slow-riding conditions. It has good low-end power, which means taking off from a standstill is no problem at all. The Xtreme builds power more progressively but delivers better performance at higher RPM than the Raider. However, the Raider’s shorter gear ratios necessitate more frequent gear changes than the Xtreme in city traffic.

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On slightly open roads, the Xtreme fares better, with its better top-end performance and well-spaced gear ratios, which give it decent highway capabilities. It doesn’t feel as stressed as the Raider does around the 80-100km/h mark. The Xtreme has an advantage over the Raider, for it has comparatively controlled vibrations through the pegs and handlebars.

TVS claims a mileage of 67km/l for the Raider, while Hero claims 66km/l for the Xtreme. However, during the test, the Raider’s good bottom-end power and Eco riding mode helped it achieve an average of 57km/l, despite frequent gear shifts. The Hero Xtreme 125, on the other hand, begs you to push it harder, resulting in a lower efficiency of around 52km/l.

Hero Xtreme 125R vs TVS Raider 125 Comparison Review: Verdict

The Hero Xtreme is priced at ₹99,500 for the ABS variant and ₹95,000 for the one without ABS. The Raider’s prices start at ₹95,000 for the single-seat model without the 5-inch TFT screen and go up to ₹1.03 lakh for the variant with the TFT screen and split-style seats.

So, which one should you choose? This decision ultimately depends on your preferences. Those who prioritise performance, handling, and big-bike aesthetics will find the Hero Xtreme 125R more appealing. It’s fast, handles well, and has appealing aesthetics. On the other hand, those who prefer a well-equipped and tech-laden motorcycle, which is also comfortable and has decent styling, shouldn’t mind spending about ₹5,000 more for the Raider.