TVS XL 100 Review

The entry level two wheeler from TVS is the TVS XL 100. The movie – Transformers starts with a dialogue from Optimus Prime “Before time began there was the Cube, no-one knows where it came from but that it had the power to generate life”. Similar was with the Luna. In school I wondered, where did it come from but it generated power after using a cycling pedal. Kinetic Luna was a 50cc moped that was introduced by Kinetic Engineering in India in 1972. The Kinetic Luna continued to be produced and marketed in India. It is marketed in the USA as Kinetic TFR A 35 cc version, the Luna Wings, was also produced.

The original Luna of 1972 was a licensed copy of Piaggio Ciao moped. It has since been updated by Kinetic until the end of production in early 2000s. This was a cheap and economical moped to transfer goods and was a heavy duty product. The milkman and the Bakery guy shifted from a bicycle to this and rest is history. But the Luna met its demise in early 2000s. TVS had their own version called the TVS CD50 and later the TVS 50XL. Now in 2015 they launched the XL 100 in UP as the only place for delivery and after seeing the success has gone on sale pan India in 2016.

TVS XL 100 Price

At a price point of below 40000 many phones nowadays are more expensive. It is a funny world we live in where transport vehicle is becoming cheaper and phones more expensive. This is a price at which my dad would look at buying a two wheeler in his prime days.

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TVS XL 100 Top Speed

The TVS XL 100 can go upto a top speed of 60 km/h. This isn’t not exactly fast but can get you and a whole lof of stuff of yours from one place to another. It may not have top speed but can sure carry a whole load of stuff.

TVS XL 100 Dimensions

At 80 kgs I feel there is nothing lighter than this beside a cycle. And it does weigh 7 kgs lighter than me too. The scale would surely tip on my side. I now feel over weight. Well that is what the TVS XL 100 was made for. No not to make obese people feel bad, but to be light, tough and carry whole lot of weight around. The 155 mm ground clearance is good and the tough body would rarely be affected by out speed breakers. The 750 mm broad handlebars are good and easy to maneuver around.

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TVS XL 100 Design

The round headlamp is now clear. It is so basic that actually puts me in awe. I love attention to detail and here love the way TVS has covered the front forks with a plastic fibre to protect it from dust entering the suspension. It is something I used to see on bicycles. The spoke wheels are something you now find only on retro styled bikes or dirt bikes. The handlebars are raised up, very up and again gives a bicycle feel or one of those badly designed cruiser feel.

From the side you can see the tank in front followed by the really small foot board which is more to keep things than feet. Than the seats. These are split seats found only on high end bikes. Well atleast styling wise TVS has gone premium. If you notice there are no pedals like those on a cycle like there used to be on a Luna. This carries all the traits of a bike with a kick start instead of pedal. The moped has bars all around it to support luggage.

And honestly I can’t believe I am talking about luggage on a two wheeler. There is a support made behind, each side of the rear seat. Hook below the front seat and like i said earlier it’s more a luggage board than foot board. The tail lamp and indicators are also simple. There are 5 point ridge on the exhaust to deviate slightly from the minimalistic design. Forget to mention the instrument cluster which is above the headlamp and guess what that is basic too.

TVS XL 100 Colours

The TVS XL 100 is available in a variety of colours, you know for fun.

• Copper Shine
• Red
• Blue
• Green
• Grey
• Black

The have introduced the new Copper Shine to celebrate 10 million happy customers. Yes there is a black but all colours are good and somehow suits the moped.

TVS XL 100 Specifications

At 100 cc the TVS XL 100 generates just 4.3 bhp but a generous 6.5 Nm torque. And for the ease of riding a single speed gear. At 60 km/h it does decent speeds for a single gear vehicle. Towards the top it feels a bit stressed out. The torque helps it pull the luggage weight around. Milk cans or bakery boxes. It’s soul purpose is to get you from point A to B and that’s about it but at a bit faster pace than walking and getting chores done a bit faster. I remember people using this moped to take heavy load around. I even saw coconuts being carried. Speed was not the criteria, transport was.

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TVS XL 100 Mileage

Having a really mini tank TVS has excelled at efficiency and the moped delivers 50 km/l. Hence the XL 100 can travel 150 km before the next fuel stop. This poor thing is used in most places where adulteration of fuel is to the next level and still this kind of efficiency is excellent. Well we can’t say city but the heavy village streets it still delivers a good 45 km/l.

TVS XL 100 Ride and Handling

I always felt what would I write here. Would it be less or would it be more. The Luna has been a workhorse and the TVS XL 100 is only taking this legacy forward, the 10 million happy customers is only proof. Working tirelessly for people for over 15 years. It has changed engines, colours, type of starter, focus etc and is still going strong, trying really hard to keep up with the current generation of rural workaholic people.

The light weight makes it extremely agile but at the same time can handle bad undulation and bad roads thanks to the long telescopic suspension and on the road or off the road, cannot upset the stability thanks to the large spoke wheels and tyres, luckily they are anti skid tyres provided by TVS to help reduce the risk. Also there is a major sway due to cross winds if any big vehicle passes by. It is a stress free bike for the wanting to be stress free consumer and this is thanks to the single gear ride. The handle bars are so high that makes you feel relaxed even on uneven surfaces.

You don’t have to get off the seat to top up fuel and this is another relaxation factor. The best part is the way the arrangement for luggage is made will never come in the way of you handling the moped or cause any hindrances.

Verdict

A living relic that is what the TVS XL 100 is and continues to live on with pride. Sales figures are far from reducing and the craze continues. Wondering when we would see the versions of S, M, L and XXL, XXXL.