TVS Victor brings in flamboyant styling..

TVS Victor was a brand name that worked wonders for TVS when it was launched back in 2002.

 

 

More than 80 per cent of the Indian motorcycle market is dominated by commuter motorcycles in the 100-110cc segment. So don't balk at the fact that yet another 110cc motorcycle hits the already teeming market. It is after all, the bread and butter segment where TVS, until now, has had only two entrants.

Consumers of this segment are looking for a dash of premium but what theyy're really after is where TVS excels- Engines.

Both the Star City + and Sport have raked in a lot for TVS, both in terms of sales and visibility in the segment. Moreover, TVS motorcycles have been known for their reliability and most importantly, fuel efficiency.

Analogue-digital instrumentation highlights a big tachometer with readouts displayed on the LCD screen.

But without a constantly updated product portfolio, there's always the possibility of fading amongst the plethora of options available out there for the consumers.Enter the all-new TVS Victor. This was a brand name that worked wonders for TVS when it was launched back in 2002. Contemporary styling, Power and Eco 'modes' among other features saw it sell about 40,000 units a month at the time. It was eventually phased out in 2007 only to be reincarnated nearly a decade later.

Series springs for the rear suspension offer versatility for ride and load bearing.

Now, the new bike brings in flamboyant styling albeit picking up cues from its stable mates. For instance, the headlamp follows the design elements of the Sport's unit. The fuel tank and rear sections closely resemble the ones on the Star City +.
I've always found TVS to follow a conservative approach to sporty design and it works for them. Consumers of this segment are looking for a dash of premium but what they're really after is also where TVS excels - the engine.

Spacious seat offers comfortable room for both rider and pillion.

A 3-valve Ecothrust engine resides within the single downtube frame. Apart from the healthy power and torque figures, it is the engineering that has gone into the motor that's interesting. The focus here was to increase refinement levels which in turn would result in better riding comfort and reduced NVH. In went a silent cam-chain and spring loaded rocker arms to reduce tappet noise. Further, a cooling jacket has been incorporated in the combustion chamber which dissipates heat better, by channelling heat away from the intake valves. While the front suspension is telescopic, the rear suspension is a trick little unit. A stiffer spring has been integrated with a lower rate spring mounted above the former, to counter heavier pillion loads without compromising the ride quality.

Hazard light switch can be mistaken for an engine kill switch.

On the move, this setup comes across as slightly stiff and higher speeds amplified the stiffness, transferring jolts onto the arms and back. TVS claims to have built the Victor for family use and that's evident from the roomy seats and the fact that the suspension was more pliant while riding two up. Furthermore, the engine packs enough grunt to even feel sporty. There's ample power in the mid-range, running through gears on the well spaced 4-ratio gearbox.

The new engine claims 76kmpl while still being sporty in nature.

The reach to the handlebar is comfortable and so is the seating and peg positioning. Slow rush hour commutes aren't going to leave you tired. The Victor is also agile and much of it is credited to the TVS Remora tyres that offer enough grip and confidence to carry speeds into flowing corners.
We rode the disc brake equipped variant and it displayed excellent braking duties although devoid of brake feel at the lever.

Disc brake offers good stopping power.

VERDICT

Rider and pillion comfort, refinement and smoothness, engine and gearbox performance.

TVS has put in a lot of effort in the new Victor and all of it comes across when astride it. The outstanding refinement levels of the engine, the enthusiastic performance and brilliant comfort levels for both the rider and pillion are all aiming at factors that really matter in this segment.

Stiff ride quality when riding solo, conservative styling may age faster, may not stand out in a crowd.

Better still, value-add features like alloy wheels are standard on the bike. Disc brakes, while optional, still result in a price tag that reflects better value than its closest rivals.