Suzuki Burgman Street vs TVS NTorq 125 – Shootout

Shootout: Suzuki Burgman Street vs TVS NTorq 125

Shootout No. 189

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 80,140/- (Suzuki Burgman Street), Rs. 74,650/- (TVS NTorq 125)

The Suzuki Burgman is a maxi-scooter in every sense while the TVS NTorq is a sporty scooter for the fun-loving youth

The scooter era in India started in 2001 and until the launch of Suzuki Access 125, everyone was drooling over 100-110cc scooters and went berserk as the Access was launched. It had a brilliant response and every other manufacturer wanted a piece of this pie(125cc category). Slowly and steadily we saw more 125cc options coming from other manufacturers but in 2018 we’ve seen a variety of entries. The Burgman Street from Suzuki and the NTorq 125 from TVS are not just the regular 125’s. Both these scooters have been launched with a uniqueness of their own and they do stand out!

Motor Quest: Suzuki launched the Access 125 in 2007 while it had its first prominent update in 2016. The Suzuki Burgman Street has the underpinnings from the Suzuki Access 125 while it comes with a fresh and new look, a maxi-styled scooter. The TVS NTorq 125, on the other hand, is the first 125cc scooter from the Indian manufacturer. TVS has derived the dynamics of the NTorq with the help of its racing division, TVS racing. Making it a very race-oriented sporty scooter.

Styling – There’s simply no competition for the Burgman’s maxi-styling. The large front apron incorporates the LED headlight in the middle along with the turn indicators nicely placed on either edge. The NTorq’s styling, on the other hand, is generic and nothing out of the ordinary. Its handlebar integrated turn indicators are a nice touch though. There’s a front windshield on the Burgman which is as good as that on the NTorq because the NTorq has none and the Burgman’s doesn’t serve any purpose.

The sheer road presence of the Burgman is unbeatable while the NTorq looks understated in comparison

It’s the rear where the NTorq does better with its nice proportions. The Burgman’s rear just seems hollow because of the small tyre. The exhaust on the Burgman is beefy while the one on the NTorq is sleek yet both the exhausts go well with the overall character of their respective scooters. Colour options for the NTorq include eye-catchy schemes whereas the Burgman comes in organic yet nicely finished black, white and grey colours which looks premium.

Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – Both the scooters come with a digital instrument cluster but the NTorq’s is a more feature loaded one. The multi-information display on the NTorq is attractive and you can even connect your phone with it via Bluetooth. This allows you to see any incoming calls or messages on the cluster itself without having to take out your phone. It also displays the navigation information via text and it the best cluster we’ve seen till date on any scooter. The black and white display on the Burgman is fairly basic and is limited to speed, fuel and time-related information.

Both these displays are bright enough and are easily readable even under direct sunlight. Burgman’s cluster is placed ahead of the handlebar while the NTorq has it on the handlebar and it’s easy to read too. The switchgear on the Burgman is very basic but the quality feels better than the NTorq. However, the NTorq gets a kill-switch which isn’t seen in any of the scooters in the Indian market. It also gets an integrated pass light switch which is missing on the Burgman.

Ergonomics – The Suzuki Burgman Street with a length of 1880 mm is a longer scooter than the TVS NTorq 125 which is 1865 mm in length. This allows the Burgman to have a longer seat, thus allowing the rider and the pillion to sit very comfortably. Not saying that the NTorq is a less comfortable scooter, but the seat on the Burgman is just wider and better. So, people of various sizes won’t find it cramped at all. A pillion too will prefer the Burgman’s seat because of its sheer size and good cushioning.

You sit upright on both the scooters but experience distinct seating position

While the uniquely designed handle of the Burgman allows you to open up your arms a little, the handle on the NTorq is just like any other scooter, quite close to the rider. The mirrors, however, are more useful on the NTorq and the ones on the Burgman don’t really help if you have a jacket on. The Burgman has that extended footboard for more legroom which the Ntorq doesn’t. The footboard of the NTorq is just too small if you want to carry some luggage and keep your legs too!

Performance – Both the Burgman and the NTorq are powered by a 125cc motor. The Burgman produces 8.58 BHP of power at 7000 RPM and 10.2 Nm of torque at 5000 RPM while the NTorq’s motor puts out 9.25 BHP of power at 7500 RPM and 10.5 Nm of torque at 5500 RPM. With these numbers, the NTorq has an advantage on paper but the Burgman performs better on road. The Burgman has a very strong mid-range and top-end while the NTorq has slightly usable low-end and a good mid-range. The Burgman has the best overall performance while the NTorq is more suited for city duties.

The NTorq is quicker off the line while the Burgman has a better top speed

The NVH levels on both the scooters are brilliant but the refinement of the Burgman’s motor is much better than the NTorq. There is no harshness felt in either of the motors but a slight amount of vibrations do kick-in at idle. The Burgman does not really have an exhaust note like the NTorq does. The TVS has a very bassy note and it does sound better on the go. Going all out on the highway and the NTorq’s motor does not feel as comfortable as the Burgman’s does, it’s perfect for highway duties.

Riding Dynamics – As the TVS NTorq has the TVS Racing DNA within, it handles corners like a piece of cake. While the straight line stability of the Burgman is just mind-blowing. The Burgman has a lighter handlebar as everything is put on the bulky body, the feedback from the NTorq’s handlebar is much better. Even though the Burgman looks big from the outside, it actually weighs less at 108 kgs compared to the NTorq’s 116 kgs. You don’t really feel the difference when you get going and both of them provide excellent manoeuvrability in city traffic. The footboard of the NTorq is very small if you have long feet but the Burgman’s footboard is just brilliant. This is especially useful when you go on long rides on the Burgman allowing you to easily stretch your legs forward, kind of like a cruiser bike.

The Burgman is well suited with a pillion whereas riding the NTorq solo is fun

The Burgman has skinnier tyres and less rolling resistance which is the reason it can gather pace easily. However, the grip from the fatter TVS rubber on the NTorq is surreal. Both the Burgman and the NTorq get front disc brakes, the NTorq has petal disc. The feedback from the brakes and stopping distance is just the same as the Burgman gets a combined braking system which the NTorq misses out on. The suspension setup on the Burgman is lifted from the Access but the Burgman has more front weight making the rear suspension feel too stiff. Whereas the overall suspension setup on the NTroq is stiff to aid better handling. But both the scooters feel quite compliant on our Indian roads.

Verdict – Both the scooters are very well set up by the respective company and have some traits of their own. The Burgman comes at a cost and misses out on features like the mindblowing console NTorq has. While the NTorq does not have the comfort and space the Brugman provides. The Burgman is more of a matured scooter for the family and a capable one to do highway duties. The NTorq, on the other hand, is a fun and a sporty scooter more suited for the city and some casual yet spirited riding. If anyone is looking for a scooter keeping family duties in mind, then the Burgman should be the pick; but if the priorities lean more towards fun riding and city commute, the NTorq is the one to go for.

Testers’ Note:

Further Reading –

TVS NTorq Review
Suzuki Burgman Street Review
TVS NTorq Video Review
Suzuki Burgman Street Pros & Cons
Suzuki Burgman Street vs TVS NTorq 125 – Video Shootout