TVS Radeon BS6 Road Test Review

Has the inclusion of fuel injection made the loveable TVS commuter more frugal?

It is fair to say that we have been in awe of the TVS Radeon. The 110cc retro-styled commuter has been much loved by all members of our team, with Arun even daring to take it on a road trip to Goa! Head here check out his (mis)adventures with the bike. The BS6 iteration has finally arrived at our HQ in Pune, even though it had gone on sale a long time ago. Nevertheless, have the BS6 updates affected the commuter’s frugality in any manner? 

Engine & Performance:

• The inclusion of fuel-injection is the main change on the Radeon BS6. Peak power is now rated at 8.2PS, which is 0.2PS less than the BS4 bike. No change to the 8.7Nm torque figure. It has put on a little weight, 4 kilos to be exact. The lighter drum variant (on test) now tips the scales at 116kg, whereas the disc variant weighs 118kg.

• Despite the drop in output, there is marginal improvement in the 0-60kmph acceleration time. Thank the new TVS 'EcoThrust Fuel Injection’ system that has upped the efficiency of the 109.7cc motor.

• There’s a torque surge in the mid-range, making the Radeon feel more peppy when zipping past slow-moving traffic. This improvement is evident as it is almost two seconds quicker than its BS4 counterpart in in-gear roll-on acceleration timings.
• The Radeon was always a pretty smooth operator, and this BS6 model kicks things up a notch. It produces a light buzz at low speeds, and only when you start gunning the bike to reach 75-80kmph does it feel strained. But let’s be honest, you ain’t going to be riding it at 80kmph for long.

• Ride it economically, and you will reap the benefits of its brilliant city fuel efficiency figure of 73.68kmpl. Its highway score isn’t bad either, returning 68.6kmpl in our test. Both of these are stark improvements over the BS4 model.

Ride & Handling

• The 4kg gain in kerb weight hasn’t made much difference to the handling.
• It still remains a light bike and an easy-rider. The pliant suspension has wowed us from Day 1, and we are glad there’s no change in the ride quality department.

• The brakes continue to be a downer, with the Radeon taking almost the same braking distance to come to a dead halt. We were testing the front drum-brake variant, and we thought it lacked braking ferocity. Hopefully, the disc version won’t disappoint. 

• The Radeon still remains a fairly accessible motorcycle for riders of all heights. There are no changes to the stance, with the rider still sitting upright and relaxed.
• The soft seat cushioning is very comfortable short city commutes. But it does continue to be a bother when one has to spend long hours in the saddle. Thicker seat foam should do the trick, something that TVS might want to introduce in the next update of the bike.

Ergonomics

• The Radeon still remains a fairly accessible motorcycle for riders of all heights. There are no changes to the stance, and the rider can still sit upright and relaxed.
• The soft seat cushioning is comfortable for short city commutes. But it becomes a bother if you must spend long hours on the saddle. Thicker seat foam should do the trick, something that TVS might want to introduce in the next update.

Variants 

The TVS Radeon BS6 continues to arrive in three variants -- standard, special edition (drum), and special edition (disc). Prices for the 110cc commuter start at Rs 59,962, while the special edition (drum) model is priced at Rs 64,287. For the extra dough, you are only getting different colour options, metal finished levers, round chrome mirrors, a large rubber tank pad, redesigned tank pads, and a cross-stitched maroon seat. However, for extra safety, we recommend you get the special edition (disc), which retails at Rs 67,287. All prices, ex-showroom Delhi.

Verdict

The list of updates on the BS6 Radeon are not as comprehensive as those on a few other bikes of its segment, like the Hero Passion Pro 110 (which is almost a ground-up new motorcycle). Nevertheless, this TVS commuter remains a no-frills daily-runabout vehicle. Moreover, in its BS6 avatar, it has become more enthusiastic, and if you do buy this bike, you can bank on its improved fuel-efficiency. Your Acche Din has indeed arrived.