2020 TVS Star City+ Review
Bike tested: TVS Star City+ BS6; Road Test No. 1214; Test Location: Mumbai
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 75,792/-
The Star City+ was already good, but TVS has made it even better!
The commuter segment of motorcycles is arguably one of the highest-selling two-wheeler segments in India. After all, nothing filters through tight traffic better than a lightweight commuter motorcycle. One such motorcycle is the TVS Star City+. Yes, the same bike that the legend MS Dhoni advertised and the motorcycle even got an MS Dhoni Special Edition variant. The Star City+ was TVS’ attempt at taking on the Hero Splendor and pinch its crown. Now the Star is even better than before in its BS6 avatar. It gets many new bits including refreshed styling but also gets a price hike of about Rs. 8000/- over the BS4 version. So, is it a solid option for someone who is looking for a smart, modern yet pocket-friendly commuter motorcycle? We tell you all about it in our test ride review of the BS6 TVS Star City+.
MotorQuest: The TVS Star City+ is a popular name in the 110cc commuter segment of two-wheelers. It has been in the market for a long time and it’s received many updates over the years. Recently the Star City crossed the 3 million sales mark and after 6 years it is now ready in its BS6 avatar.
Styling: Styling is probably the biggest talking point of the new TVS Star City+. Some people don’t like it because the front resembles the Hero Passion Pro while some people like it because TVS has finally moved on from the first-gen design of Star City. The headlamp gets a new design, which looks neat and even aggressive from some angles. Moreover, it gets a first-in-class LED setup, which is like a cherry on the cake. Moving on, just like the previous-gen bike, the BS6 bike also comes in dual-tone and single tone colour options.
The updated motorcycle looks at-par, if not better than the competition
However, the price difference between the dual-tone and single tone variants has decreased to just around Rs. 800/-. Further, while the BS6 Star City+ retains the black alloys and the dual-tone muffler, the mirrors and the seat are now dual-tone as well for a more premium feel. Overall, while there is surely some resemblance to the Passion Pro, there’s no denying the fact that the TVS Star City+ looks much more premium and well put-together than before.
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear: The analogue-digital console continues from the BS4 variant to the BS6 update. The tell-tale lights on the console indicate neutral, high beam, indicators and there’s even a service reminder. The speedometer dial also gets an “Econometer” which shows whether or not you’re riding efficiently. There has been an addition, though. Just beside the instrument console, TVS has smartly placed a USB charging port, which is a first-in-class feature. Like the console, the switchgear is also exactly the same as before and has a sturdy build quality. Anyways we would’ve loved to see an updated instrument cluster, but the current console is still not outdated in any manner, especially if you consider the competition.
Ergonomics: The TVS Star City+ is a city-commuter, and the ergonomics felt just as well. The handlebars are upright and the footpegs are front set, which results in a comfortable and upright riding posture. The seat height is at 795 mm and the seat now gets a dual-tone texture, but it’s still equally comfortable as before. It is wide and long, and will easily accommodate two healthy adults. Pillion comfort isn’t a thing to worry on the Star. Lastly, the new dual-tone mirrors offer a good view of what’s behind and the upright posture helps keep the arms out of the view.
Performance: The TVS Star City+ has the same engine as before and not much has changed, other than the fact that it is now BS6-compliant. The 109.7cc motor makes 8.08 BHP and 8.7 Nm of torque. While the power has decreased by a minute 0.2 BHP, TVS has retained the same torque figures as before. TVS has added EcoThrust FI into the mix as well. This enhances the overall throttle response and consequently; the bike feels very refined. The smoothness is also good thanks to the linear tune of the engine. However, the engine provides a good low-end with a decent mid-range punch and the top-speed can stretch up to 90 km/hr.
The motor provides good low-end and decent mid-range punch, making it versatile
The gearbox has also remained unchanged. It is the same 4-speed unit (all-up with heel-toe shifter) which feels pretty dated now. We would have loved to see TVS put a 5-speed gearbox as it would have given the Star City+ some advantage over the competition. We don’t really have any complaints with it, though. The gearbox was smooth and there weren’t any issues with it during our ride duration. If we ask, Kitna Deti Hai? As expected, the engine is pretty efficient as the bike returned 50 km/l during our test. This rounds up the full range to about 450 kms, considering it gets a 10-litre fuel tank. All in all, the Star City+ performs pretty much as you would expect it to, and it serves its purpose well.
Riding Dynamics: You won’t feel much difference in riding dynamics if you’ve ridden the older TVS Star City+ because of the unchanged ergonomics. The suspension is not very stiff or soft, and the setup does its job quite well. Little undulations are hassle-free while you will feel big bumps, but there’s no thudding of any sort. The short wheelbase and compact dimensions result in improved flickability while also offering good straight-line stability. Moreover, the Star City+ feels very planted at high speeds which aren’t very high while it still has good feedback from the handlebar to manage the turns.
Decent ride and handling with bare minimum electronics keeps it ready for rugged and pliable duties
The tyres, as usual, are produced in-house by TVS and offer decent grip in both wet and dry conditions. Further, the braking duties are performed by 130 mm and 110 mm drum brakes at the front and rear, respectively with SBT (Synchronised Braking Technology). They provide decent stopping power but we would have loved a disc brake variant at least as an option. The 172 mm of ground clearance is also a boon as taking bad roads won’t be a task. Taking a quick U-turn within a single-lane road is actually possible on the Star City.
Verdict: The key question here is that whether the TVS Star City+ justifies the bump in price and we have good news. It does. Why? Because for Rs. 8000/- more, you get a first-in-class LED headlamp, a first-in-class USB port and a much more environment-friendly motorcycle. The TVS Star City+ still isn’t the best bike in the class, but with the BS6 upgrades, it is surely as close as it has ever been to the top of the table. You should definitely go with the TVS Star City+ if you want a modern-looking, feature-loaded yet easy-on-the-pocket commuter motorcycle.
What’s Cool
* New styling bits make it look quite fresh
* LED headlamp looks good and does its duty well
* The USB port is a nice addition to lifestyle feature
What’s Not So Cool
* Not the best performing engine in the class
* Brakes could have been better with a front disc as an option
Alternatives – Hero Splendor, Honda Livo, Bajaj Platina
2020 TVS Star City+ Specifications
* Engine: 109.7cc, SOHC, Air-Cooled
* Power: 8.08 BHP @ 7350 RPM
* Torque: 8.7 Nm @ 4500 RPM
* Transmission: 4-Speed (All-up)
* Top Speed: 90 km/hr
* Fuel Consumption: 50 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Single Down Tube Frame
* Suspension: Telescopic Forks (Front), 5-Step Adjustable Shock Absorber (Rear)
* Tyres: 2.75 X 17 (Front), 3.00 X 17 (Rear)
* Brakes: 130 mm Drum (Front), 110 mm Drum (Rear)
2020 TVS Star City+ Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 1980 mm x 750 mm x 1080 mm
* Wheelbase: 1260 mm
* Ground Clearance: 172 mm
* Seat Height: 795 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 10-litres
* Kerb weight: 116 kgs
