TVS Star City Review: Likes And Dislikes

We took the humble little commuter for a ride to see what it’s been up to: 

• In its latest avatar, the bike gets a couple of new nifty features.
• Priced from Rs 76,820 onwards, the bike rivals the Hero Splendor and the Honda Shine 100. 
• Its 109.7cc engine makes 8.2PS and 8.7Nm. 

In India, many people rely on commuter motorcycles for their daily transportation. One such popular motorcycle is the TVS Star City Plus, which has been performing well not only in India but also in international markets. Now, with the BS6 version, this motorcycle has some new features. We wanted to see if these changes have made it even better for long rides.

TVS Star City Plus: Design & Features

The TVS Star City Plus has a more high-end appearance compared to the TVS Radeon. It has special features like a stylish front fairing, dual-tone mirrors and muffler guard, and a 3D logo. The bike also has a dual-tone seat and a well-designed fuel tank. These elements give it a mature and premium look that appeals to those seeking an affordable yet sophisticated commuter motorcycle.

One standout feature of the TVS Star City Plus is its all-LED headlight, which is the first in its segment. However, the tail lamp and indicators still use halogen bulbs. The bike has an analogue instrument cluster for the speedometer, and a digital display that shows the fuel gauge and odometer. In addition to the standard indicator lights, it also has a service indicator and an Eco/Power mode indicator (known as the Econometer). This special feature lights up either the Eco or Power mode indicator based on the rider's style of riding.

TVS Star City Plus: Engine

The Star City Plus feels smooth and refined when riding at speeds below 40kmph. However, once you go beyond 45kmph, you start to feel vibrations, which become stronger as you go faster. When you reach around 60kmph, you can feel buzzing sensations on the handlebars, footpegs, and tank. This is quite disappointing for a small-capacity engine.

 It's even more disappointing considering that the BS6 Radeon, which we also tested, felt much smoother despite having the same powertrain. Even though the Star City Plus has enough power to reach speeds of around 75kmph, the lack of refinement takes away from the overall experience.

TVS Star City Plus: Chassis

The Star City Plus has a front fork and twin rear shock absorbers that are designed to provide a comfortable ride. They do a good job of absorbing bumps on the road. However, sometimes the bike can feel a bit bouncy, especially when going over sharp or large bumps. This is because the shocks have a quick rebound, meaning they bounce back quickly after compressing. The ride feels more stable when there are two riders or when carrying luggage.

TVS Star City Plus: Dimensions

The Star City Plus weighs 116kg, which makes it easy to handle when navigating through parking lots or traffic. The steering is light, allowing for easy direction changes. It's good that the bike comes with a 240mm petal front disc brake, which provides strong braking power. However, the brake lacks progression and feel. This means that during sudden or emergency braking, the Star City Plus can feel a bit unstable.

TVS Star City Plus: Price

The TVS Star City Plus has two different versions with different prices. The drum variant starts at Rs 76,820, while the premium disc version is priced at Rs 79,970 (both prices are for ex-showroom, Delhi). The drum variant comes in five different colours, including Black Blue, Black Red, Blue Silver, Grey Black, and Red Black. On the other hand, the disc variant is available in three colours: Black Red, Blue Silver, and Grey Black. Besides the colours and the type of front brake, both versions are the same mechanically.

Verdict

The TVS Star City Plus is a stylish motorcycle that stands out and is known for its impressive fuel efficiency. It is reasonably priced, with the disc variant costing around Rs 72,955. However, there are a few aspects where it could be improved, which affects the overall riding experience. If you're searching for a fuel-efficient and dependable commuter motorcycle from TVS, the Radeon might be a better choice. It offers similar features as the Star City Plus and even more, all at a similar price. Plus, it looks cooler too.