TVS stole the limelight at the 2022 Indian Motorcycle of the Year, winning the prestigious award and beating out other nominees from established brands such as Yamaha and Honda. With the Raider 125cc, TVS has breathed a breath of fresh air in what was until recently a stagnating commuter landscape in the Indian motorcycling world. The Raider beat out fellow nominees such as the Royal Enfield Classic 350, Honda CB200X, Yamaha FZ X, Bajaj Pulsar F250 and Bajaj Pulsar N250.
The event was held at the Buddh International Circuit, Noida. Among the members of the jury were evo India editor, Sirish Chandran, and associate editor, Aatish Mishra. JK Tyres continued their sponsorship of the IMOTY, continuing a legacy starting from the first edition. Indian motorcycle manufacturers had a healthy representation in the final round of Jury selections, with bikes from Bajaj, Royal Enfield and TVS holding four of the six places. It was a huge affirmation of the giant steps that the Indian motorcycling industry has taken with regards to quality, features and general levels of competitiveness. The Raider represents only the tip of the iceberg for what is to come from the industry.
The TVS Raider 125, launched with a starting price of ₹77,500, represents a clear break from the traditional Indian commuter, possibly the most important motorcycle segment in the country. The brand new single-cylinder engine, with three-valves, puts out a respectable 11.2bhp at 7500rpm and 11.2Nm at 6000rpm, making it one of the most powerful bikes in the segment. TVS has given special emphasis to the sporty characteristics of the bike, and has also made several bold design choices, such as the LED lights, bright colours and sporty design. For more about the TVS Raider 125, read our review of the bike, and how it compares to others in the segment.