Suzuki Avenis vs TVS NTorq 125 Race XP: Comparison Test

Back in the 1980s, TVS joined hands with Suzuki and it helped the Indian brand in developing a range of popular 2-stroke motorcycles. After their split almost two decades back, Suzuki went on to dominate the 125cc scooter space with the Access 125. TVS, on the other hand brought sporty flavour to the 125cc scooter space with the NTorq 125, which has been hugely popular with enthusiasts and youngsters.

Noticing the success of the TVS product, the Japanese giant now has entered the sporty 125cc scooter space with the Avenis, which as you can see, has been heavily inspired from the NTorq. Quite a lot of history between them, then. While cloning the design is still easy, has Suzuki managed to clone the performance of the NTorq which has made it such a rockstar? This comparison will be an interesting one.

Ramesh, umm..Suresh?
Now, I should ideally have started this comparison with the performance, but given the controversial styling of the Avenis, let’s commence with the design. You can clearly see that the Suzuki Avenis has taken design inspiration and some more from the TVS NTorq 125 Race Xp. The shape of the apron, the profile and even the rear is very similar to the TVS scooter, which isn’t bad as the NTorq is easily among the most attractive scooters on sale, but a bit of originality from the Japanese brand would have been welcome.

Having said that, there are some visual elements that differentiate both the scooters. The LED headlight shape is similar, but the positioning of the DRLs are different and even the apron design is sportier. The side panels are also sharper on the Avenis and while the rear section does look the same, the Suzuki gets a split LED taillight, while the NTorq has a single unit. Despite being so similar to the TVS scooter, the Avenis did manage to attract attention given the fact that our test scooter was sporting Suzuki’s bright blue MotoGP livery.

Performance With A Twist

Engine Specs	Suzuki Avenis	TVS NTorq 125 Race XP
Engine	124cc, single-cylinder	124.8cc, single-cylinder
Valves	2V	3V
Power	8.7PS @ 6750rpm	10.2PS @ 7000rpm
Torque	10Nm @ 5500rpm	10.8Nm @ 5500rpm

As you can see above, the NTorq is the most powerful 125cc scooter on sale and has a healthy advantage over the Avenis, so it should be quicker, right? Not really, as you can see in our test data, the Suzuki Avenis is actually quicker! Surprised? 

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Acceleration	Suzuki Avenis	TVS NTorq 125 Race XP
0-40kmph	3.38s	4.31s
0-60kmph	7.82s	9.38s
0-80kmph	14.20s	18.44s
Kerb weight	106kg	116kg

Let me explain: the Japanese scooter is 10kg lighter than the TVS offering and this helps in posting quicker acceleration timings. But the NTorq Race XP has a trick up its sleeves –  the Race Mode. Yes, it’s the only made-in-India scooter to feature ride modes. 

Acceleration	Suzuki Avenis	TVS NTorq 125 Race XP
0-40kmph	3.38s	3.68s
0-60kmph	7.82s	7.63s
0-80kmph	14.20s	14.19s

Once in race mode, timings are different, the Avenis still has the edge to 40kmph, but to 60kmph the NTorq 125 fights back, and till 80kmph the speeds are almost identical. However, at speeds above 90kmph, the extra grunt of the TVS scooter is evident as it offers a better top end and offers quicker overtakes.

Roll-ons	Suzuki Avenis	TVS NTorq 125 Race XP
20-50kmph	4.13s	3.88s

The other major difference with respect to performance among the duo is the roll-on timings. As you can see in our test data, the TVS pulls strongly whereas the Avenis takes some time to build momentum. So in city riding, overtakes are more prompt and easier on the NTorq 125.

Where the Suzuki strikes back is refinement, both the scooters are fairly refined, but the Avenis feels more sophisticated both in terms of vibes and mechanical noise. Having said that, the throaty exhaust of the NTorq is more likeable and will be preferred by enthusiasts.

In terms of performance, the Ntorq still holds the edge, but the difference between the two isn’t drastic despite the significant difference in power (good job Suzuki!). Also, the nature of both the engines are different; the NTorq 125 feels more direct and has a kind of on-and-off throttle, while the Avenis is a bit more mature and offers better throttle control.

Thrift store
Fuel efficiency is another aspect where the duo are pretty close to each other. The NTorq, when ridden in street mode, returned more frugal numbers than the Avenis in the city. However, the Suzuki scooter performed marginally better on the highway. However, the TVS has a slightly larger fuel tank which means better range.

Fuel efficiency	Suzuki Avenis	TVS NTorq 125 Race XP
City	52.04kmpl	54.33kmpl
Highway	56.21kmpl	55.8kmpl
Fuel tank capacity	5.2-litres	5.8-litres

Being Practical
Practicality and convenience is second nature for scooters and both these scooters do a great job on this front. Both these scooters feature an external fuel filler cap and oddly, both don’t get remote unlocking from the keyhole, which means you will have to dismount to fill fuel. However, the Avenis gets remote seat unlocking, but misses out on an underseat light. USB charger comes standard, but the Avenis gets an external unit which is positioned under the handle bar and it can accommodate a full-size mobile phone and you can lock it securely as well. The Avenis also has an open cubby hole which is deep enough to hold a one-litre water bottle. Underseat storage space of both the scooters is very similar, but the Avenis has a slightly more spacious footboard.

Both the scooters feature a digital instrument console that displays a tonne of features. But one can change the layout of the display on the NTorq 125 Race XP owing to the different riding modes. My grouse with the Avenis’s display is that almost half of the screen is empty when the rider isn’t using navigation. Besides, the NTorq has an advantage of voice assist and the rider can access more data via its app.

Balancing Act
Despite the difference in wheel size, both the scooters feel extremely nimble and you can hustle them in traffic. Yes, both the scooters do have that tippiness that one associates with scooters, but it isn’t very evident.

Dimensions	Suzuki Avenis	TVS NTorq 125 Race XP
Front tyre	90/90-12	100/80 - 12
Rear tyre	90/100-10	110/80 - 12
Wheelbase	1265mm	1285mm
Ground clearance	165mm	155mm

However, the Suzuki Avenis feels a tad bit more composed with respect to agility, courtesy its smaller rear wheel and being lighter. The large rear wheel and fatter rubber means that the NTorq feels more engaging and confidence inspiring when you carry high cornering speeds. So if you like apex hunting, the TVS has the edge!

Suspension	Suzuki Avenis	TVS NTorq 125 Race XP
Front	Telescopic fork	Telescopic fork
Rear	Monoshock	Monoshock

The one aspect where the Avenis has the definite edge is ride quality. Now, I am not saying that the NTorq’s ride is firm or stiff. But the Suzuki’s suspension setup is just spot on, it just glides over rough roads and makes the ride experience plusher and more comfortable.

Braking	Suzuki Avenis	TVS NTorq 125 Race XP
60-0kmph	21.59m	18.36m

Both our test scooter had similar braking hardware - front disc and rear drum brake.  While the NTorq 125 has lesser stopping distance, it lacks any feedback and the brakes feel wooden. The Suzuki’s braking feels more progressive and reactive at city speeds.

Final Call

Price	Suzuki Avenis	TVS Ntorq 125 Race XP
Ex-showroom, Delhi	Rs 87,000	Rs 87,550

While performance is key for buyers of this segment but value too matters. In this regard too both the scooters are pretty evenly matched. The TVS NTorq has been among our favourite scooters at ZigWheels and it also recently won our mega performance comparison, I must admit that the Suzuki Avenis did surprise us.

Both the scooters offer enjoyable performance without compromising on practicality, yet they are different too. The Suzuki scooter delivers performance with comfort, while being sophisticated. However, it has one big drawback and that it doesn’t manage to set new benchmarks or bring anything revolutionary into the segment.

The NTorq on the other hand offers you sportiness and performance. In the Race XP variant, the NTorq has regained its mojo that it had lost a bit in the BS6 transition. It remains a pucca performance scooter that will enthral enthusiasts and for this reason the NTorq manages to upstage the Avenis.