The 125cc segment demands style, features, mileage- all in a combined package with equal emphasis on all the parameters. Bajaj has been segment leader here with its hugely popular Discover dominating the sales charts right since its launch in the year 2005. But its long-time rival TVS have always given a hard competition to Bajaj. Now with a launch of their premium bike called Phoenix, they have seriously given customers a good alternative option for the Discover. But does the Phoenix really command some premium attention? Let’s find it out.
STYLING
The Discover 125 ST, being from the Bajaj family, has a substantial motorcycle looks. Its curved front lines give the vehicle a sporty appearance and its unique Y shaped alloy design makes it clearly a desirable bike in this segment. Bajaj as always, has once again impressed us with its fit-and-finish and it’s visible on the neatly set naked chain, rear mudguard and the chiseled sari guard. Discover ST also has a chiseled muscular tank, monoshock, Y-shaped alloy wheels, swooped back headlamp and fairly big windscreen.
The TVS Phoenix on the other hand has a typical commuter bike shape and size. TVS has put in electrifying graphics all over the body but the Apache derived headlamp and side panels don’t provide any kind of flair to the design bike. Even though TVS claims to have designed this bike from the scratch, but it does remind us of some of TVS’ earlier models like TVS Star City and TVS Centra.
Although style is purely a matter of personal choice and the TVS Phoenix isn’t ugly at all, but from a neutral perspective, Discover ST looks way more cultured bike than the Phoenix.
RIDE QUALITY
Both these 125cc bikes have upright seating positions, but Phoenix has a comparatively low-set riding position, like in the Apache. While this is good for short riders but can be tiring for long riders. The Discover 125, with a taller seating position and a neatly packed-in tank, it’s quite comfortable to set in your knees. The Phoenix has a compound padded seat cushioning which is more comfortable than Discover’s seats. The Discover has a wider ear view mirror and offers great rear view despite while the Phoenix manages to give just adequate vision of what is behind.
While Phoenix’ innovative Spring Series Suspension gives you more comforts than a conventional shockers but Discover’s Nitrox Mono-suspension promises an unmatched level of comfort, both for the pillion and the rider. Discover also has DC headlamp wiring which means that the headlamp is directly connected to the battery, thereby ensuring that you get a full beam, no matter what the bike speed is. The Phoenix features excellent palm grips, and switchgear that has a smooth feeling. The choke lever is mounted at switchgear level, which makes it very convenient to reach.
FEATURES
While Mileage is a major consideration in the 100cc segment, features are the most important one in the 125cc segment. Going in full-synch with the digitalized era, TVS has gone for all-digital speedo console that looks quite funky (like of Yamaha FZ). But the fonts are small and it’s difficult to read them. The Phoenix also has a service due and low battery indicator. The Discover’s cluster is easy to read but the trip meter and odometer is analogue. Neither of these bikes gets an engine kill switch and so are the Tachometers missing on both the bikes. But the TVS Phoenix gets segment first hazard lights, which we think was a long time due in motorcycles.
TVS has equipped the Phoenix with a hazard warning switch as standard, making the segment. Kudos to TVS for coming up with such a useful feature in motorcycles.
The high quality control levers are noticeable but we missed the presence of a cable-play operating nut for the clutch lever. TVS has used prominent decals to adorn the bike and the graphics boldly declare it a 125. The well-padded seat is covered with dual-textured fabric, running from the Phoenix’s ample and rounded fuel. At the rear you have an alloy grab handle and flush-fitted taillight, although split grab rails are missing on both the bikes.
PERFORMANCE
The Discover 125 ST is powered by a 4-valve, DTS-I (Digital Twin Spark Ignition) engine which gives out an output of 12.8 BHP at 9000 RPM and 10.78 Nm of torque at 7000 RPM. On the other hand, TVS Phoenix has a basic 2-valve motor which gives out 11 BHP at 8000 RPM and 10.78 Nm of torque at 6000 RPM. The problem with Discover is that it is not a stable bike and it tends to vibrate as it reaches speeds excess of 85 km/hr. This however is totally absent in TVS Phoenix and it happens to be a vibration free motorcycle.
TVS Phoenix makes power and torque earlier in the rev-range and is 6 kgs lighter than Discover. It also has an edge when it comes to instant low down torque. Both the bikes have excellent mid-range capabilities, but as revs build up, the Discover accelerates ahead and stays ahead with a top speed of 110 km/hr, while the Phoenix managed only a 90 km/hr. Both the bikes are pleasant to ride on highways, but Discover feels more relaxed thanks to its 5-speed gearbox. The Phoenix derives its clutch box from Apache and has a 4-speed gearbox.
Braking is an important safety aspect and fortunately, both the bikes feature excellent braking mechanism. Both the bikes have 130 mm drum brakes at the rear and petal discs at the front. At the front, the Discover comes with 200 mm rotor while the Phoenix comes with 240 mm rotor. Braking performance is great on both bikes, but it’s the Phoenix which slightly edges out the Discover when it comes to bite from the front brake. The Discover has a wider headlight spread of the two but Phoenix packs in LED Daytime running lights. Both have ample ground clearance and don’t scrape despite pillion on board. Discover has a larger ground clearance of 170mm as compared to Phoenix’s 165mm.
FUEL CONSUMPTION
TVS’s motorcycles have always proved fuel efficient in the past, and the same is true for the Phoenix 125. The Phoenix 125 is what the TVS Victor was years ago. It returned a respectable 56.8kpl in city riding conditions and 54.4kpl on the highway. Bajaj claims the Discover 125 ST delivers 65kpl but it returned only 60kmpl in real life conditions. While both the bike return nearly same figures, you can confidently negotiate this part while making your decision.
COLORS
Discover is available in 4 colors- Brilliant Blue, Black Red, Flame Red and Red Black. While Phoenix is available in 5 colours, namely- Moroccan Red, Alaskan Green, Belgian Black Red, Helsinki Black Silver and Oxford Grey.
VERDICT
TVS has made it extremely difficult for us to make a clear choice here. Both the bikes are evenly matched on dynamics and come in the same price bracket. The Phoenix is a well-built motorcycle, and shows off good paint lustre, thorough attention-to-detail and adequate overall fit-and-finish is something you’ll notice for yourself.
TVS’s Phoenix scores well across parameters, carrying out its commuter duties efficiently. But the sad part is that it may not make the perfect choice in its segment for someone who is looking for a sporty, speedy 125, in which case you should look no further than the Bajaj Discover 125ST. But don’t blame TVS, the Phoenix simply wasn’t built for this. While Phoenix has some cool new features like Spring Series Suspension, Hazards and Daytime Running LED lights, but it lacks the 125cc flair that the Discover boasts. So summing it up, the Phoenix is really a great contender but Discover 125 ST is at the centerstage as of now.
PRICE
The price of TVS Phoenix Rs 51,000-Rs 53,000 (Ex-showroom, Chennai). The price of discover 125 ST Rs 55,000 (ex-showroom Chennai).