TVS Jupiter 125 Road Test Review - TVS’ contender for the commute

Yes, I realise it’s been done to death, but at risk of sounding like a broken record, it’s aimed at A-to-B commuters, with an eye on the rising fuel prices. So putting it through the tedious process that is a fuel efficiency test was literally the first thing we did after we got it.  

Along with acing the fuel efficiency test, the Jupiter 125 isn’t at all a slouch in traffic light GPs. Thumb the starter and the Jupiter 125 fires up silently with a low hum followed by a steady puttering. Now, though the 124.8cc engine on the Jupiter 125 has the same cubic capacity as the Ntorq 125, here it packs a two-valve head and makes about 2PS and 0.3Nm less than the Ntorq 125’s engine, but importantly, the Jupiter weighs about 8kg less as well.  

So as we already know, the performance within the city feels sprightly: the throttle is reasonably direct, and there’s enough low- and mid-range drive, so overtaking slower-moving vehicles on your daily commute won’t ever be an issue. However, it doesn’t feel as quick as its 125cc commuter rivals, and we’d still prefer the Access 125’s mill when it comes to performance.  

Nevertheless, the Jupiter 125’s engine does its job well: it’s relatively fast even with a pillion on board. And though most family scooter customers prefer their daily runabouts be so smooth they almost feel inert, you could (without a hint of pretence) chalk this engine’s less refined feel down to it having ‘character’. 

Q4 - How easy is it to manage?

At 108kg, it’s not the lightest in its segment, but there are a few things to consider. First of all, the floorboard-mounted fuel tank means all the weight is concentrated down low, so moving it around at standstill is a piece of cake.  

And when on the move, the Jupiter 125 seems the least like a traditional family scooter, because of another essential ingredient: 12-inch wheels front and rear, a la the NTorq. This means it feels a lot more stable than the Activa and Access in city traffic, and considering the immodest low- and mid-speed grunt on tap, you’ll be zipping through traffic all day, every day.

Its ride quality, too, is at odds with the entire commuter genre. Instead of a typical soft setup, the Jupiter 125 is quite composed. You won’t feel that “bouncy” feeling that many commuter scooters suffer from when going over speedbreakers. Additionally, there’s no wallow when going over large undulations, even with a pillion on board.  

 Q5 - Will it keep me and mine comfortable?

Q6 - What kind of knick-knacks does it have?

We’ve already mentioned the apron-mounted fuel filler and massive underseat storage. Well, both of these can be operated via the multifunction key slot. And on the other side of the apron, you get a USB slot with a moderate-sized cubbyhole right under it, perfect for charging your mobile while on the go, instead of in its usual spot under the seat. Besides, since it’s now right in front of your eyes, everytime you get an incoming call, you can easily pull to the side of the road and attend to it.

Now, though this seems like a brilliant idea on the surface, it isn’t foolproof. Firstly, said cubbyhole doesn’t have a cover, so crafty thieves can nick your mobile (or any valuables you keep there) quite easily. Next, your mobile may even fall out if you go too fast on a bumpy patch (which are aplenty on our roads). And finally, in case of heavy rains, it might get water-logged.

Moving on, another feature that’s par for the course nowadays is the start-stop system. So if you’re stuck in traffic, the engine automatically shuts off after 5-6 seconds, and can be restarted with just a pull on the brake lever and a twist of the throttle. 

One glaring flaw on the Jupiter 125, however, is that its semi-digital cluster completely lacks connectivity features: no bluetooth-enabled alerts, or app-based navigation. And frankly, we cannot quite fathom why, considering the Hero Maestro Edge 125, allows for all this, that too at a cheaper price point.