The sporty 125cc scooter space has long been ruled by the Ntorq, with none being able to challenge its dominance. While the Ntorq has long been the benchmark in this space, Hero’s Xoom 125 is the company’s latest attempt at cracking this sporty space. Both scooters target the same audience but offer distinctly different experiences out on the road.
Both scooters come dressed to impress, and the Xoom 125 wears a sleek, modern design that’s sharper and more premium-looking than its 110cc sibling. The Xoom’s 14-inch alloys, minimalist yet sharp styling, and sequential indicators give this mature design some youthful touches. It also packs in LED lighting, a fully digital LCD cluster with Bluetooth, turn-by-turn navigation, and even a USB charger hidden in the front cubby.
The Ntorq Race XP, meanwhile, goes for a racier aesthetic with excessive graphics, faux carbon finishes, better build quality in comparison, and a slightly more muscular profile. It gets a densely packed LCD screen that’s feature-rich and even has two riding modes.
If you go for the top XT variant, you’ll also get a TFT display. Additionally, it also gets Bluetooth connectivity with a host of connected features. TVS has added newer variants over time that bring more tech and features to the overall package, but there is no denying that the Ntorq has started to feel old and hasn’t seen any significant design changes since its inception.
While the Xoom leans towards a cleaner design and practical features – like an external fuel filler with a buzzer – the Ntorq counters with more gadgetry and flashy touches that might appeal to tech-savvy riders. I, for one, prefer the Xoom’s subtle yet thoughtful approach.
Its additional front cubby has proven genuinely useful for stashing my gloves or a water bottle, and the all-in-one key slot adds everyday convenience. The Ntorq claws back some ground with its larger 22-litre underseat storage, which is 5 litres more than the Xoom.
The Xoom’s riding position is upright and neutral, but taller riders will find it a bit cramped, mainly due to the seat design. Its sculpted saddle has a pronounced scoop that limits how far back you can slide, which can start to feel restrictive over longer rides.
This proved to be our biggest issue with the Xoom, although it is something that should be fixable by an aftermarket seat maker without spending too much money. Pillion comfort is reasonable, and while the underseat storage can manage groceries or a backpack, neither scooter has enough room for a full-face helmet.
The Ntorq Race XP, by comparison, is noticeably more comfortable and accommodating. Its flatter, more spacious seat and relaxed handlebar-to-footpeg geometry make it a better fit for taller riders – or anyone doing longer commutes – and the pillion perch is better shaped, too.
Interestingly, even though the Ntorq’s seat height is just 7mm lower than the Xoom’s, most shorter riders I spoke to found it easier to get their feet down on the Ntorq – perhaps owing to the seat contour and overall stance. This is probably why Hero went for such an aggressive scoop on their seat to counter the added height brought in by the bigger wheels.
The Xoom’s 124cc motor feels smoother and more refined, especially at low speeds and during steady mid-range cruising. It’s more responsive off the line and easy-going in traffic. The Ntorq Race XP, on the other hand, feels noticeably more eager and aggressive. Right from the moment you thumb the starter, its deeper exhaust note and bassy rumble set the tone – this is the sportier feeling machine of the two.
Interestingly, despite weighing 10kg less, producing 0.2hp more, and running on smaller wheels, the Ntorq isn’t quicker off the line. The Xoom 125 gets to 60kph faster in our tests, and it’s only above this that the Ntorq claws back and pulls ahead by the time you hit 80kph. The TVS’ roll-on acceleration is also quicker, and overall, the Ntorq Race XP is the quicker scooter here, but the Xoom has the slight edge below 60kph.
The Ntorq Race XP does feel slightly different from when we first rode it four years back. It seems to have sacrificed a bit of the low-end snap in favour of slightly better high-end performance. What stands out more, though, is that the scooter is now more efficient than when we last rode it, so it’s quite possible that TVS has tweaked this engine over time.
That said, the Xoom still claws back a win in terms of city fuel efficiency, returning a noticeably higher 56.70kpl vs 52.4kpl, making it the more economical option. This was aided by Hero’s stop-start system, but it could be a little quicker in its operation.
That said, the Ntorq’s 0.8-litre larger fuel tank and slightly better highway efficiency give it the advantage in terms of overall range. While both scooters wear sporty badges, it’s the Ntorq Race XP that feels more performance-focused. The Xoom 125, by contrast, feels more like a well-rounded everyday scooter with a sporty flavour.
The Xoom’s larger 14-inch wheels offer better stability over poor roads, but it still has a good amount of agility and reasonably light steering, which is a nice thing in dense, slow-moving traffic. Its suspension is not bad, but there is an underlying firmness at the rear (there’s no preload adjust), and larger potholes do make their presence felt. At speeds up to 80kph, it remains a little more composed and confidence-inspiring than the TVS.
In comparison, the Ntorq has a noticeably softer suspension, which is great at lower speeds. However, ridden back-to-back with the Hero, it doesn’t have the same planted and poised feel at higher speeds.
Even cruising at 60kph on concrete roads can be a bouncy affair, although the scooter remains fully under control. Predictably, its smaller wheels give it better agility at slower speeds in the city, and it’s easier to flick into turns.
Adding to it is its tighter turning radius, which makes it easier to dart through traffic. When it comes to braking, the Ntorq takes the edge offering better brake bite, lever feel and feedback. Meanwhile, the Xoom’s brakes perform adequately but feel wooden and are devoid of feedback.
The TVS Ntorq has long been the benchmark for performance in the 125cc segment, and even today, it remains one of the sportiest scooters you can buy. Its engaging motor, comfortable ride, and strong blend of practicality and fun have helped it stand out over the years. That said, the Ntorq is now seven years old, and some aspects of it are beginning to show their age. The Ntorq range starts at Rs 90,153 for the base disc variant and goes up to Rs 1.10 lakh for the latest tech-loaded XT variant with its TFT display.
The Xoom 125, by contrast, is the new kid on the block. It brings a fresher take to the sporty 125cc space with its handsome style, good city efficiency, practical design touches and larger 14-inch wheels, which noticeably change the riding experience. The Xoom has real appeal, but it’s let down a little by its overall comfort, which is a crucial factor on a scooter. It could have had a bit more sporty character as well, particularly the exhaust. Prices for the Xoom 125 range start at Rs 86,900 and go up to Rs 92,900 for the top-spec variant, which means it offers good value and is definitely worth going for if you’re keen on the 14-inch wheels.
While the Xoom 125 range is the more affordable of the two, the Ntorq range offers far more variants that suit different budgets and preferences. As far as sporty scooters go, the Ntorq continues to strike a better blend between practicality and sportiness, and it also feels better built. It delivers on the fun-to-ride front without much compromise on efficiency and is noticeably more comfortable. Plus, the range of variants on offer has something for everyone, and due to these factors, it is our pick of these two.
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