TVS Raider Vs Hero Xtreme 125R: Comparison In Images

A sporty 125cc or a premium commuter, which one should you pick?

Hero MotorCorp had recently launched the Xtreme 125R, a sporty 125cc commuter bike. It competes directly with the TVS Raider 125, a well established premium commuter offering in the 125cc segment. In this image comparison we will be exploring the differences between the two in detail.

Design

The TVS Raider gets bumblebee-like LED headlights which give the bike a distinctive appearance, whereas the Hero Xtreme 125R comes with an aggressive look thanks to the alien-looking headlight and DRLs combining sharp and angular lines. The Hero gets a full-LED lighting, whereas the Raider comes with an LED headlight and bulb-type indicators.

The Xtreme also takes the aggressiveness up a notch with sharp tank extensions and raised tail section. Raider on the other hand is a bit more commuter focused and doesn’t get aggressive design elements, but it does feature a good looking tank extension with the TVS ‘Prancing Horse’ emblem.

Engine

The Xtreme’s engine produces 11.55PS and 10.5Nm, whereas the TVS Raider’s makes 11.38PS and 11.2Nm. The difference in power figures on paper does translate into real world performance with the Hero Xtreme 125R being sportier and eager from the get go. The engine feels punchy with decent grunt at the bottom end but where it shines is the midrange. It is also quite tractable and can easily cruise at slower speeds when riding in higher gears.

The Raider, on the other hand, has the same engine used on the TVS NTorq 125 and offers reliable performance. Although it is not as sporty as the Xtreme 125R it does manage to keep one engaged. The main highlight of this engine is the remarkable tractability, it performs well in traffic and can easily cruise at lower speeds on the 3rd gear. TVS has also given the bike Glide Through Traffic Technology (GTT) which is a low RPM assist that allows the rider to ride at slow speeds without having to give throttle input, the bike moves just with clutch modulation

Underpinnings

The Xtreme 125R is built on a diamond frame and is suspended on a 37mm telescopic fork and a 7-step adjustable monoshock from Showa. The telescopic fork is the largest in this segment and the monoshock is a special unit developed with Showa specifically for this bike and both offer good handling when riding at higher speeds by keeping the bike planted.

The Raider comes with a telescopic fork at front and 5-step preload adjustable rear monoshock. The suspension setup is decent and is able to handle most bumps and potholes on the road very well. It is also able to provide a stable handling while cornering.

Xtreme 125R also gets a 120/80 section rear tyre, which is widest in the air-cooled 125cc segment. The TVS Raider on the other hand rolls on 80-section front and 100-section rear tubeless tyres, which despite the narrow profile is able to give adequate grip. 

In terms of braking, the Xtreme 125R comes with a 276mm disc brake, which again is the largest in the segment, it gives a good initial bike and addition of single-channel ABS (segment first) also has helped inspire a lot of confidence when braking. The Raider comes with a 240mm disc at the front and a 130mm drum in the rear, the brakes are good but a bit more feedback from the front lever would have been better.

Features

The Xtreme 125R comes with a negatively lit LCD instrument console that displays speed, fuel level, gear position along with readouts such as tachometer, odometer and tripmeters. It also gets smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth for call and SMS alerts.

The TVS Raider top end SX variant features a colour TFT display that gives similar readouts but gets more features such as smartphone connectivity via TVS SmartXonnect and related functionalities like turn-by-turn navigation. 

Verdict

The Hero Xtreme 125R comes at a price of Rs 99,500 for the ABS variant, whereas the top end SX variant of the TVS Raider costs Rs 102,770. Both prices ex-showroom Delhi.

The bikes offer two different kinds of riding experiences, and which one to choose depends on what you want out of your motorcycle. If you are looking for a bike that will offer sporty performance and thrills, and don’t care much about features then the Xtreme 125R is the right choice.

But if you are just looking for a commuter bike that offers decent performance in the city and comes packed with features then the Raider is the right bike for you.