TVS Star City Plus Review, Test Ride

Having not launched a new motorcycle for a while now, TVS will hope the new Star City Plus will bring them back into the spotlight. So when we got to do the TVS Star City Plus we just got on to it immediately. 

The Chennai based manufacturer has just added another model to its Star lineup and the new model is called the Star City Plus. The bike was first showcased at this year’s Auto Expo and it will hope to bring TVS back into the game and gain market share in a very competitive entry-level commuter bike segment.

The TVS Star City Plus is a premium model based on the TVS Star City, and although you may not be able to spot the differences immediately, after closer inspection you will notice the sharper features of the styling. TVS has said that the Star City Plus follows a ‘modern flow motion style’, which they hope will attract younger customers. The dimensions are also pretty much the same as the other Star models. The paint finish is impressive and with the all-black alloy rims the Star City Plus can exude a bit of sportiness as well.

Another big change is the 110cc EcoThrust engine that produces 8.3bhp and 8.7Nm of torque. This new engine has been fine tuned to allow for a claimed fuel economy of 87km/l according to TVS. Additionally, the engine is very well refined and it does provide good linear response. The transmission is a 4-speed unit that also works well and delivers power to the rear wheel with an effortless twist of the throttle. The low-end torque is also very good which means you don’t need to keep switching gears when in traffic. In fact, riding in the city is very easy on the TVS Star City Plus, and together with the decent torque rating and its small dimensions, the bike really responds quite well when you are weaving through crowded streets.

The bike also weighs just 109 kilograms, so it is very light and easy to handle. The front suspension gets an oil damped telescopic fork and the rear gets a 5-step adjustable hydraulic shock absorber. The suspension is very good and the Star City Plus feel very composed on bumpy roads. The riding position is also decent and a rider of any size – including mine – will feel comfortable on the bike. The only problem I see with the bike is the brakes. Both, front and the rear, brakes use drums and are not the most effective, but thankfully the tyres have good grip on tarmac.