BS6 TVS Jupiter ZX Disc: Road Test Review

How much has our favourite family scooter improved after its update to BS6?

The TVS Jupiter has been a trusty workhorse for the Bengaluru-based brand for years. It has consistently been in the top five selling scooters in the country and for a good reason. The Jupiter offers great practicality and convenience but is not a vanilla scooter by any means. And while the BS6 variant has been on sale for over a year now, TVS has consistently provided the Jupiter with small updates to make the ownership experience all the more richer. How much of an improvement over the outgoing model is this one then?

Pros:

• Smooth engine with supple ride makes for a great city slicker.
• Design still looks fresh and elegant.
• It has become slightly more frugal.

Cons:

• Has lost a bit of peppiness.
• Braking performance could be improved.

Design

• Despite being an eight-year old design, the Jupiter still manages to look fresh. It has the sleekness and elegance that mature audiences will appreciate.
• You don’t get any flashy colours on the Jupiter, like you would on the NTorq. The Royal Wine and the Starlight Blue shades give the scooter a premium feel, which you would be hard pressed to find on other family scooters.
• Plus, there’s a 3D logo, dual-tone seat and a few chrome bits to up its style quotient.

Ergonomics

• Even with the necessary BS6 updates, the kerb weight of the Jupiter hasn’t gone up by much. At 107kg wet (1kg more than BS4), it is on the lighter side. You rarely feel this weight in slow moving traffic or while propping it up on the main stand.
• The seat height remains easily accessible for all riders. Shorter riders will be able to flat foot the scooter without any qualms.
• The handlebars are nice and high, giving you good control of the scooter. Also, they don’t foul with your knees while taking a U-turn.

Engine And Performance

• The 109.7cc mill has undergone several changes to meet BS6 norms. Even with the addition of fuel injection, it feels a little restrictively tuned, making it lose out on a bit of performance. It doesn’t get off the line as quickly as it did before, something which we also experienced on the BS6 NTorq last year.
• That said, the motor remains just as refined as before. There is a slight gruffness at extremely low speeds that fades away once you get up to commuting speeds like 35-40kmph.

• Luckily, the loss in performance has resulted in a gain of city fuel efficiency. The gain of almost 4kmpl can be attributed to the addition of a fuel injection system. The ET-Fi (Eco Thrust Fuel injection) unit has improved the fuelling of the Jupiter.
• Sadly, the small 110cc motor isn’t suitable for highway stints as you cannot sustain speeds above 70kmph for a long time. Plus, if you do take it out on the highway, fuel efficiency is bound to take a hit.

Ride And Handling

• The TVS Jupiter is known for its plush ride. Thanks to the softly sprung telescopic fork and single-sided swingarm, the Jupiter glides over the majority of road imperfections. It doesn’t feel wallowy, and remains composed even when going over bumps with some gusto.
• Handling remains pretty neutral. You can make your way through traffic comfortably. Also, the 12-inch wheels inspire a good amount of cornering confidence as the Jupiter remains planted through bends.

• The brake feel and bite remain more or less the same. However, the Jupiter takes a few more metres to come to a dead halt as it has to haul a little more weight now.

Variants

There are five variants on offer: standard, alloy, ZX, ZX Disc, and Classic. Now all variants, barring the ZX Disc of course, are offered with a front drum brake as standard. You get slightly more premium colours and a dual-tone seat on the ZX trims while the Classic gets a dedicated 3D badge, tinted windshield, and a small backrest. Head here to know the prices of all trims.

Verdict

We are glad to report that the TVS Jupiter remains a classy scooter that scores high on fuel efficiency and convenience. Yes, its performance has taken a slight hit from BS4 times, which we’ve seen also happen to quite a few small capacity BS6 two-wheelers. Nevertheless, the Jupiter continues to offer a hasslefree easy riding experience, which is the core essence of a good family scooter. Its added good looks are a bonus.