TVS XL Turns 40
One of the most versatile creations on two wheels
Sometimes life comes a full circle. it doesn’t happen at a set moment, but it does happen and when it does, it’s accompanied by a flurry of memories of moments that storm the mind and, unmistakably, leave a nostalgic smile. that moment for me was when my eyes found the tVs Xl100 in the lot. there was the most modern iteration of the bike i’d learnt to ride on. the first-ever powered set of two wheels i’d plonked myself on and twisted the throttle. that was three decades ago for me. that was a two-stroke Xl50 with 3.5 hp and a mini-clutch and pedals to get it started. Yet today, here’s its most modern iteration; an apt successor. and it’s loaded with some features i’d never imagined back then: an electric starter and fuel-injection!
the tVs Xl100 is the ultimate evolution of the venerable workhorse that is reborn for the modern Bs6 era with all it needs to take on the world head-on. and, this time, there’s more than one choice.
that’s right. the new tVs Xl100 gets a bunch of variants each with some subtle and some not-so-subtle details. the line-up begins with the comfort, followed by the Heavy Duty, both of which are also available with the i-touchstart system — the ones we have here, with the special Win edition 40th anniversary celebration model rounding off the portfolio; a fully-loaded model with some exclusive styling details too. all variants are fuel-injected and feature tVs’ etfi (ecothrust fuel injection) that strikes a fine balance between linear power delivery and maximum efficiency.
the engine is a 100-cc unit, with slightly oversquare dimensions of 51 millimetres by 48.8 mm, that produces all of 4.4 hp at 6,000 rpm and a decent 6.5 Nm at 3,500 rpm. Now, that may not sound like much, but it’s down to how it delivers it and what it can actually manage with that. With a centrifugal clutch and a single-speed transmission driving the rear wheel with a chain, it can effectively surprise with its load carrying ability. and even with electronics on board — silent and smooth start, fuelinjection, lambda sensors, and processing power — it still weighs in at just 89 kilograms.
so, why does it impress us journos and manage to put a smile on our face each time? We, who’ve ridden almost everything under the sun with 10 times or even 45 times the horsepower? it’s simple. it’s the art of simplicity. it’s a no-nonsense vehicle that gets things done. it can commute. it can transport. and it can do it day in and day out and be enviously reliable as well as fuel-efficient. it’s only got a four-litre fuel-tank but, even so, it can go on for hundreds of kilometres with no worries. even when the smart fuel reserve warning light comes on, it’s still good to go for another 70 to 80 kilometres or so.
Just to prove what it can really do, we decided to give it the proper urban runabout. “Heavy Duty” they say? can it handle two 90-plus-kg individuals and a big bag? sure. as is evident, it can. the maximum payload is rated at 130 kg, but we believe that’s a sort of acid test. the handling, when loaded, takes a little getting used to; however, keep in mind that this was way beyond its calling. None the less, it surprised us with its “never say die” attitude. the weight penalty onboard, though, is pretty much its only restricting factor.
Given room on the open road, the Xl100 can easily get up to 40 km/h and even hit 60 km/h with a lighter rider astride. the 16-inch wheels with 2.5-inch-wide tyres make it a nimble handler while generating enough grip. let’s not forget, in the past four decades of its existence, it’s been through a lot, including racing. Yes, our editor recalls the glory days of the sholavaram track in chennai which ran hot with the sound of two-strokes, some heavily fettled and tuned for maximum performance, with palpable excitement; probably down to the unburnt fuel in the air from these mental machines. they’ve been cornered hard and leaned as far as their foot-pegs would allow.
things have changed now, but some things still stay the same. the tVs Xl100 is an absolutely sprightly thing in traffic. i didn’t truly realise how many people ride and drive at 30 km/h or even lower speeds until i was astride this thing, passing larger-capacity motorcycles dawdling and 250-hp sixcylinder sUVs crawling to a halt in front of potholes smaller than their cup-holders and speed-breakers half as high as their ground clearance — the world truly seemed insane at that point. But what shone was the ease with which the Xl handled every situation thrown at it. it’s ideal for all sorts of people who want a light commuter that can deal with loads or for shorter riders who want something with a low saddle height to have their feet firmly on the ground when needed or even those who want a relaxed, reliable, and efficient runabout for everyday use — one that doesn’t cost upwards of Rs 65k. the Xl100 range
starts at just about Rs 40,000 (ex-showroom).
the tVs Xl100 comfort i-touchstart and the Win edition also get some cool goodies apart from the styling elements that set them apart. Prime among these is the UsB port useful for charging a mobile phone on the go. this feature is available as an option on the Xl100 Heavy Duty.
the “comfort” model’s distinct fairing around the headlight looks cool. it’s easy to ride and get used to, with its combination of compact size, light weight, gearless go, and tight turning circle. Plus, there’s the long seat in a premium dual-tone style and a cushion back-rest for enhanced pillion comfort. the Xl100 comfort is quite an attractive little package. there’s even a lockable storage compartment below the front of the seat at the end of the special silver oak-finished front platform. the reserve warning light, too, is a useful addition.
the Heavy Duty model and the Win edition, meanwhile, get a unique split seat set-up with a detachable rear seat. this makes it easier to load up large boxes or items that don’t fit on the wide front platform. Don’t be fooled by the size of the wheels or suspension, though. the 16-inch wire-spoked wheels with Dura Grip tyres (2.5 inches wide) can handle more than their fair share of load. the properly heavy-duty suspension — telescopic fork front and twin coil-springs with hydraulic shock-absorbers at the rear — work well to flatten out road inconsistencies. the Heavy Duty doesn’t care for the kind of surface and is an effortless multi-terrain ride. it can handle a lot of ups and downs with ease and its rugged, purposeful build ensures it comes out on top each time.
the Win edition, celebrating 40 years of the tVs Xl, brings even more stylistic highlights in sparkling chrome. the front platform has a chrome metal shield, the mirrors are chromed as well. the split seat has a premium dual-tone finish. it also gets an exclusive and attractive “Delight Blue” paint shade.
as i write this, i have no doubt that you, dear reader, have, at least once, seen one of these little mopeds scurrying around town either to or from a nearby market, loaded in no small way with an array of produce or means of nutritive replenishment. in traffic, it’s not speed that matters, it’s how quick and nimble it can be, and an inevitable second glance is reassuring of the fact that the little runabout means business. for many, it’s a pick-up truck on two wheels and it’s proof that dynamite does come in small packages.