TVS Star City+ review, test ride

TVS Motor Company’s original Star commuter bike debuted almost a decade ago in 2005. The Star has always stood for a sturdy little motorcycle, built to last with reliability a key feature. The bike has seen a few noteworthy upgrades over the years, keeping it fresh and up to date with the competition. Lets take a look at this latest version.

Yes, the new Star City retains a family resemblance, with styling virtually a clone of the older motorcycle. Alloy wheels are standard, and the bike comes with black coating several parts, including it's engine, exhaust muffler and wheels. 

Instrumentation on the latest TVS bike is legible, including a white background speedometer, digital fuel-gauge and TVS's trademark economy and power mode indicators. Comfy control levers, comprehensive switchgear, decent mirrors, a quality paint job, and nice palm grips all add to the feel good appeal on the plus. 

The Star City + tail is distinctive looking, with a handy grab-bar and prominent tail light cluster. 

The Star City + comes with a 109cc, 4-stroke, twin-valve, air-cooled powerplant, with vertically offset single-cylinder. Roller bearings on the engine rocker arms work within its head to cut friction and promote economy. The piston is now coated with an anti friction (Moly) coating, while the valve train is driven by a silent cam-chain. TVS has improved induction with a larger capacity air-filter, and worked to optimise the bikes tuned exhaust system as well. There's a 3D, intelligent ignition system (TCI), and the spark plug has been reworked for improved combustion too. Maximum power available is 8.18bhp at 7000rpm, and peak torque of 0.88kgm at 5000rpm. The engine outputs a nice enough exhaust tone. Performance, while not as quick and peppy feeling as the faster bikes in this segment is made up for in some way, being delivered with nice throttle response and smooth, refined manners. Top speed is in the region of 90kph. 

Clutch feel is good, light and the new TVS commuter bike's four gears shift smoothly in a four-up pattern with nice feel. The Star City + is sold with the option of an electric starter, while the basic variant comes with a kick-starter. 

The new bike comes with a well thought out, comfortable and upright riding posture, and well padded seat for both riders and their pillions. It's a light motorcycle, the electric started bike weighing in at 109kg (kerb weight). 

The new Star City + is supported by a single cradle tubular steel frame, with box section swingarm. Suspension is telescopic forks in front and twin, 5-way adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear. The Star City + runs on 17 inch rims front and rear, and this new TVS bike offers good ride quality, proving a neutral steering and stable motorcycle to handle, with adequate cornering manners. There are new tread pattern tyres, these working to provide adequate grip for a commuter segment bike. 

Braking is via a 130mm drum in front, and 110mm drum at rear, with a disc brake option sadly not provided. The brakes feel as good as expected on a small capacity commuter bike like this.

Our quick ride reveals there's little to flaw on TVS's new Star, a worthy successor to TVS's established commuter bike brand. 

Rishad Cooper