TVS NTORQ 125 IS OVERRATED
The TVS Ntorq 125 is one of the most popular scooters in India. Many youngsters love it because of its sporty look, attractive design, and modern features. It has a bold presence on the road, and at first glance, it feels like the perfect scooter.
But when we look closely at the performance, engine reliability, and long-term use, the picture is not as bright as the design. Many riders, including me, feel that the Ntorq is overrated. It is good for looks, but not as strong when it comes to daily use and performance.
Here are the five main reasons why the TVS Ntorq 125 is overrated.
1. Attractive Design, Weak Engine
There is no doubt that the design of the Ntorq is very sporty and stylish. It looks like a mini sports bike in scooter form. But the engine does not match the aggressive looks.
On paper, the scooter has 125cc power, but in real-world riding, it often feels underpowered. After some months of usage, the engine response gets weaker, and acceleration is not as smooth. This creates a gap between the expectation (created by the sporty design) and the reality (average performance).
So yes, it looks like a powerful scooter, but it does not always feel powerful while riding.
2. Engine Reliability Problems
One of the biggest issues riders face with the Ntorq is engine reliability. Many users have complained that the engine loses smoothness after one or two years. Sometimes it makes noise, sometimes the pickup reduces, and in some cases, the scooter struggles to maintain power at higher speeds.
In simple words, this means the engine is not consistent. You cannot always depend on it for long rides or for long-term durability. For a scooter that is marketed as sporty and strong, this is a big disappointment.
3. Mileage is Poor Compared to Rivals
Scooters in India are usually bought for daily commuting, and mileage is very important. The Ntorq gives only around 35–40 km per liter in many real-world cases. For a 125cc scooter, this is not terrible, but it is much lower compared to rivals like Honda Activa 125 or Suzuki Access 125, which give better fuel efficiency.
This poor mileage means daily fuel costs go up. Over a year, this makes the scooter expensive to run, especially for students or office workers who use it daily. Many riders expected a balance of sporty performance and decent mileage, but the Ntorq fails to deliver on that balance.
4. Maintenance and Small Issues
Another reason the Ntorq feels overrated is frequent small problems. Owners often report issues like battery draining, electrical glitches, panel vibrations, and quick wear-out of parts like brakes or suspension.
While TVS service centers can fix these issues, the fact that they come up regularly makes the scooter less trustworthy. A scooter that looks modern and sporty should also feel smooth and trouble-free, but in reality, the Ntorq requires more visits to the service center than many expected.
This adds to running cost and also reduces the satisfaction of ownership.
5. Not Built for Long-Term Use
Finally, the Ntorq does not have the long-term durability that many Indian buyers expect. Scooters like Honda Activa or Hero Maestro are known to last 10–12 years with fewer problems. But the Ntorq starts showing weakness after 3–5 years of use.
The resale value also drops quickly because buyers know the scooter is not famous for durability. This means even if you want to sell it after a few years, you will not get a good price compared to rivals.
In simple words, the Ntorq is not the kind of scooter that stays strong for many years. It feels good in the beginning but loses strength as time passes.
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