TVS NTorq: 6500km: Long Term Review

Published February 9, 2019
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3 min read

We discuss what living with TVS’ SmartXonnect system has been like - actually useful, or just a gimmick for millennials?

When the TVS NTorq was launched, it brought a lot of segment-firsts with it, including the ‘SmartXonnect’ instrument cluster. While it promised a lot -- 55 features to be precise -- quite a few of these seemed to be gimmicks with limited usability in the real world. After spending more than half a year with the scooter, here’s what I found.

The instrument cluster has two modes -- Sport and Street -- which record and display different information. In Street mode, the display shows two tripmeters, speedometer, odometer, a clock, fuel gauge and engine temperature gauge. Switch to Sport mode, though, and you’ll see readouts for top speed, average speed, a stopwatch, 0-60kmph time, besides the engine temperature and fuel gauge.

TVS also offers features like navigation assist, caller ID, last parked location assist and vital trip stats with the NTorq. But to access those, you’ll have to download the TVS NTorq app from the Google Play Store - unfortunately, it isn’t available for iOS.

For more than a couple of months, I have been trying to use the navigation assist feature, but it hasn’t been anything worth writing home about. It takes around 5-10 seconds for the instrument console to pair with my phone using Bluetooth, which is enabled by pressing and holding the ‘Mode’ button for 3 seconds. After pairing it, I’d feed in the destination on the app, which is immediately displayed on the console as well. But after I’d slide my phone into the pocket and get going, the display would never update in realtime. For that, I’d have to stop, pull my phone out and open the app - far from ideal, beating the purpose of the feature.

The other features, though, like the caller ID or incoming SMS alert or even the auto reply SMS have worked perfectly. In fact, thanks to the auto-reply SMS feature, my mom doesn’t panic when I’m not answering the phone.

Overall, while the display itself is very detailed and crisp, it’s only the navigation assist that is a letdown. Also, readouts like lap time, top speed, average speed and 0-60kmph in the Sport mode would have made more sense on a high-capacity sportbike doing track days, rather than a 125cc scooter. Don’t get me wrong, the NTorq is one of the sportiest scooters in the market right now, but I haven’t had the need to use these features on my 5km-long daily commute or the occasional jaunts to the other end of town.

Speaking of which, I can’t think of any other scooter that could have offered such a fine balance of comfort and sportiness on my daily ride to and from work. And by the way, TVS took note of the minor niggles mentioned in the last long-term report and swiftly called the scooter in for a checkup. Stay tuned for the next report to find out how it went.

Date Acquired: 4 April 2018
Total Km Till Date: 6480km
Fuel Efficiency: 44.81kmpl
Cheers: Power, refinement and ride quality
Sneers: Cold start, rattle from handlebar cover

TVS NTORQ 125 Video Review

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Sellfi | 7 years ago Hi Kanaad, just to highlight one point here as you mentioned issue with Navigation Assist on NTorq, please check in your phone setting (battery / app settings) and ensure app shouldn't go in sleep mode / hibernate after locking your phone. in most android phones, based on app power / resource consumption, OS shutdown/ hibernate app and due to that you may not be seeing real time navigation on NTorq, which is no where related to vehicle.if you have already taken care of this, then ignore this point. hope this should help.I dont have Ntorq but always follow all news / reviews about this scooter as i really liked it. ...Read More 4 Reply

Anubhav | 7 years ago Lol. I am using Ntorq from Nov 2018 crossed 5000 km. It's one of the best scooters in the market but with some flaws.1) Rattling Sound (Handlebar Cover + Silencer cover- Once TVS servicing centre couldn't solve my problem then I removed those screws and replaced it with bolts) Now it's going smooth.2) It feels planted till 96 kmph but then it loses out on that secured feeling once you cross that mark.3) There are parts non-availability (metal parts, tyres, body cover, etc.) like for example you can't even download Ntorq manual because it's not even listed on the website. The scooter comes with TVS Tyres but it's not listed on the website...4) Low beam is really low. I use my scooter every day to travel more than 30-40 odd kms, it makes me feel insecure because at some point I have to switch low to high beam and then back to low beam at high speeds. Still waiting for rains to see how it will affect the situation more.5) No complaints from the digital cluster other than petrol gauge. Sometimes it will fool you. I love when my scooter say 'Hello Anubhav' every morning.TVS’ SmartXonnect system is a gimmick because navigation assist is more on the slower side than your scooter. I bet you'll miss that turn.6) Never faced any cold start issue. If you know how it works then you'll never face any problem with that! ...Read More 5 Reply

Edwin | 7 years ago SmartXonnect system doesn't work properly TVS need to recall the NTORQ MFR dated till Dec 2018 and rectify the fault, mileage is too bad between 30 to 35 km per liter even lesser. 2 Reply

Yorik | 7 years ago Very good review,however the rear brakes are also not very efficient as compared to other scooters in its class, without the front brake it would be virtually impossible to stop the bike 1 Reply

shubham | 7 years ago Why you guys giving misleading negative.it hardly take 2-3 sec to connect if device is already paired before. Also navigation system works really great & even reroute without any issue. 0 Reply

Abhimanyu | 7 years ago Is your daily commute mostly within city traffic? And do you use normal petrol or XtraPremium/Speed? I hardly get a mileage of 38 kmpl on my Ntorq. 0 Reply

ranjan | 7 years ago I have purchased NTorq middle of March 18 at Kolkata. It has completed around 4600km. Also I use Hornet 160 & Pulsar 180. For this reason Kilometer use is less. I'm getting mileage 47km/Lt. It has also verified by TVS Service. If any starting problem first look after the RPM. It's RPM setting will be 1600. So I have no starting problem. It's MapmyIndia doesn't show always perfect destination. Style, riding comfort, break, balance, sitting comfort, exhaust sound, digital console are excellent, excellent, excellent. I am writing about NTorq more than 35 years of experience in the two wheeler. ...Read More 2 Reply

amit | 7 years ago Hi Bro, I too faced the issue in navigation and had to take out my mobile every time for real time update!! But after a few days I found that the issue was with the mobile!! I turned on battery saver due to which the app was killed in background on lock screen. So I removed it from battery saver mode and its working perfectly now.. I went 50-60 kms on navigation hassle free.. So try it without battery saver or put ntorq app in exception list. You can thank me later.. 😉It an awesome scooter and I too have used it for about 6000 kms now and never regret preferring it over a bike. I even race it all the way on my daily commute, even with the bikers and give them a tough competition. Ntorq has never let me down upto a chase of 100 kmph, bcoz it doesn't go any further in city traffic.. So kudos to T S Ntorq... ...Read More 2 Reply

MD | 7 years ago Good, I also driven 9500 km just in 5 month, best performance, no issue anytime, all things working fine. 0 Reply