Suzuki Access 125 vs TVS NTorq 125
Shootout No. 240
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 92,440/- (Suzuki Access 125); Rs. 96,624/- (TVS NTorq 125)
Both scooters have improved in various aspects following their BS6 updates
If you’re looking for a 125cc scooter, it is highly likely that you’ve already looked at the two aforementioned scooters. The Suzuki Access 125 and the TVS NTorq 125 are the hot topics of comparison when someone looks at 125cc scooter options. While the Access 125 is a veteran in this class, the NTorq is a newbie of sorts. However, newbie or veteran, both scooters have received a few updates for 2020 in order to stay valid in the segment. We try to find out which one is the better scooter as we compare the Suzuki Access 125 with the TVS NTorq 125 in this shootout.
MotorQuest: The TVS NTorq was a game changer when it came to the market in 2018, as it offered numerous first-in-class features. Whereas, the Suzuki Access 125 came to market in 2007 and was one of the first 125cc scooters in the Indian 2-wheeler market. The TVS NTorq being the newbie has undergone little change while the Access received a major overhaul in 2016.
Styling: Both scooters have retained their old designs and there isn’t much new for 2020. Let’s talk about the Access 125 first. The Access 125 is a classic-looking scooter and doesn’t get any flashy bits. It is an old design as the overall scooter hasn’t changed much from the facelift that we saw in 2016. However, it isn’t a big deal, really. The overall scooter looks desirable and there’s not much wrong with it. The chrome bits on the exhaust, headlight and the fuel cap add to the classic feel, making the scooter look retro.
The NTorq 125 is more appealing to enthusiasts and youngsters while the Access 125 looks classic and mature
While the Access boasts of a classic design, the design language of the NTorq is completely opposite. The NTorq is one of the sportiest scooters you can get your hands on in the market. The flashy paint jobs, numerous colour choices, and radical design, all make the NTorq a handsome lad. The downside is that the NTorq still offers a halogen headlamp in the lower variants while the Access now boasts of a LED headlamp across the variants. Overall, the NTorq 125 and Access 125 will attract a different set of consumers as the former is more youth-friendly. If you consider the top models, the NTorq 125 Race Edition is definitely much more appealing of them all.
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear: As we’ve said before, there’s nothing that even comes close to the TVS NTorq in terms of the instrument cluster. The fully digital setup with over 60 features including Bluetooth Connectivity is just too good. It has remained the same since 2018, though. The Access 125 also has a good semi-digital setup with new EcoAssist lights and a battery voltage indicator as an addition for 2020. While the Access 125’s speedometer isn’t bad and does its job well, the setup on the NTorq is way better in terms of usability and practicality.
The NTorq’s instrument cluster is just unbeaten in the segment
Moving on, the switchgear is decent for both the scooters and the plastics don’t feel cheap. The NTorq offers more, though, as it gets a kill switch and the Race Edition also gets a new Hazard light switch. However, the key reason why the NTorq takes it away is the keyhole. While both have a rear fuel lid, the NTorq lets you open the fuel lid for the same keyhole as the under seat. While for the Access, the main keyhole will open the underseat but the fuel tank won’t. You must step down and manually open the fuel lid on the Access, which decreases its practicality.
Ergonomics: Both scooters offer good comfort and plenty of room to stretch your legs. But there are some small things that make big differences. Firstly, the seat on the Access 125 is wider and has been extended for 2020. The NTorq also has a long seat, but it’s not completely flat. While you won’t feel much difference during short stints, the Access feels more comfortable during long stretches of riding. This again corresponds to the fact that the NTorq targets the youth while the Access is your typical workhorse.
The Access 125 is a do-it-all scooter while the NTorq 125 is a tad sportier
The story remains the same for the riding posture as well. Both offer upright postures, but the NTorq is a tad sportier. The under-seat storage space is almost the same as the Access offers 21.8-litres while the NTorq offers 22-litres. However, the NTorq offers an LED light and a USB port in the boot as standard. The Access also offers a USB port alongside the front pocket, but only in the Special Edition variant. All in all, if commuting is your key purpose, the Access 125 should be your pick.
Performance: Both manufacturers have done a decent job at limiting the performance drop to a minimum. The NTorq’s 124.8cc motor makes 9.25 BHP of peak power at 7000 RPM and 10.5 Nm of peak torque at 5500 RPM, whereas the Access 125’s 124cc motor makes 8.58 BHP at 6750 RPM and 10 Nm of torque at 5500 RPM. Both scooters get fuel injection as standard now. While there is a power difference, the Access feels faster than the NTorq. This is because, following the BS6 update, the NTorq feels tamed down. However, the Access actually takes 8.69 seconds to reach 60 km/hr from a standstill as compared to the NTorq’s 8.49 seconds (VBOX-tested).
The NTorq is faster from 0 to 60 km/hr, but the Access is faster in the 0 to 80 km/hr sprint!
But the Access cuts back as it takes 18.07 seconds, while the NTorq takes 18.76 seconds in a 0 to 80 km/hr dash. The main plus point of the Access 125 is its efficiency, though. While the NTorq has a bigger fuel tank at 5.8-litres, the Access is much more economical. You need to ride the NTorq very calmly to churn out good economy numbers. All in all, both scooters have similar performance but our vote goes to the Access as it has linear power delivery and returns better mileage as well.
Riding Dynamics: The NTorq 125 is the sportier scooter between the two and it shows here. Cornering capabilities is where the NTorq edges everything in the segment, including the Access 125. Moreover, the wider tyres and bigger rims further enhance the riding experience. Even the disc brake on the NTorq offers better bite than the disc brake on the Access. But this doesn’t mean that the Access handles poorly, though. The Access is your ideal scooter for city duties, and the Access has one major trick up its sleeve over the NTorq – the suspension setup.
The NTorq will handle the tarmac well, but the Access will be better when things get rough
The suspension setup on the Access 125 is much more versatile than the NTorq’s. While the NTorq’s suspension is great for aggressive riding, it suffers on rough patches. Bumps and rough patches hit hard and make the NTorq unsuitable if you have bumpy roads in our vicinity. On the other, the Access’ suspension is well damped and absorbs bumps well while offering decent stability during aggressive riding as well. Overall, we prefer the Access 125 over here as commuting it offers much more versatility than the NTorq. But if sportiness comes above comfort in your priority list, the NTorq should be your pick.
Verdict: Both scooters have had a bump in price following the BS6 updates. The Suzuki Access 125 comes in at Rs. 92,440/- while the TVS NTorq costs Rs. 96,000/- (both on-road Mumbai and top-model). While the difference isn’t decisive or huge, the NTorq 125 is Rs. 3500/- costlier than the Access 125. On the flip-side, the TVS NTorq is still good value-for-money considering the equipment on offer. For the extra Rs. 3500/-, you get a digital speedometer with numerous features, more power, radical styling, and sporty graphics. The main differentiating factor is that the NTorq is not as comfortable and versatile as the Access. To conclude, people with comfort and commuting as a top priority should go for the Access while the NTorq is the BMW M5 of scooters over here!
Further Reading:
TVS NTorq 125 Review
Suzuki Access 125 Review