2020 TVS Star City Plus BS6: First Ride Review

The 110cc commuter segment in India is further divided into two sections. One consists of rugged motorcycles; both in looks as well as functionality, while the other comprises of more stylish-looking models. Now, TVS Motor Company has the Radeon that qualifies as a rugged commuter but as an upscale option, the company offers the Star City Plus.

In its BS6 iteration, the TVS Star City Plus receives a few changes that differentiate it from the BS4 model. So, having spent a couple of days commuting in the city and on the highway with the Star City, here are our thoughts on the newly updated motorcycle. 

The most noticeable difference between the Star City Plus BS6 and the previous model is the redesigned front end. It is a lot sportier owing to the aggressive-looking cowl that now features an all-LED headlamp. The rear section has been re-styled too and is somewhat sleeker than before. TVS has also adorned it with snazzy graphics and is offering the Star City Plus in five, dual-tone colour options. Further, adding a premium touch to the package is the chrome guard on the blacked-out exhaust.  

However, the rest of the motorcycle, in terms of styling, remains the same and so does the quality- and that is not bad at all. The Star City Plus BS6 has top-notch finish all through. The paint, black plastics, as well as the components have very good quality and there is nothing to nitpick about here. The switchgear is well built too and is easy to reach and operate. 

TVS has revised the BS6-compliant Star City’s feature list slightly. The motorcycle now comes with a USB charging port fitted on the rear of the headlamp cowl and a pair of five-step adjustable shocks at the rear that has been finished in red. The LED headlamp works well, sufficiently lighting up the road in low as well as high-beam.

 While these are commendable improvements over the BS4 model, the Star City continues to offer a white-background, semi-analogue instrument cluster that looks outdated. Nonetheless, the unit shows all vital information like fuel gauge and odometer in the digital display along with a few tell-tale signs beside the speedometer.   

The TVS Star City feels fairly comfortable right from the first time you swing a leg over it. The tank recess provides the perfect amount of grip to lock the knees in, and the upright seating position feels natural when holding on to the handlebars. While the seat offers sufficient space for the rider and pillion, the firm cushioning gets unpleasant on long rides.  

As you crank up the Star City Plus BS6 with the one-touch ignition button, the 109cc, fuel-injected motor welcomes with a refined engine note. Complementing the engine are the butter-smooth gearshifts from the four-speed transmission. While the first two gears are short like most motorcycles in its segment, the Star City Plus is composed when ridden at 30kmph even on the fourth gear. The motorcycle has its sweet spot between 40-60kmph where there are very little vibrations on the footpegs. As the speeds increase, these tingling vibrations creep in on the handlebar as well.  

However, the comforting prospect is the way the TVS Star City Plus handles in traffic. With a low kerb weight of 116kg, the Start City is sprightly on its feet. So, whether it is filtering through tight traffic or moving in and out of parking spaces, the motorcycle accomplishes it with ease. Furthermore, the Star City’s pliant suspension setup balances things out superbly. It manages to gobble up every bump and undulation the road throws at it without any complaints. Now, TVS is offering the Star City Plus only with a drum brake as standard. While the front brake is spongy and lacks bite, the rear brake makes up for it by offering good bite and feedback. 

At Rs 63,384, the Star City Plus BS6 is priced close to its rival, the Hero Passion Pro at Rs 65,740, and is considerably more affordable than the Honda Livo that comes in at Rs 70,056 (all prices ex-showroom). Yes, the motorcycle could be a better package if it came with an updated instrument cluster, lesser vibes, and an optional disc brake. 

However, it does have some strong points that make it a commendable product. For starters, the quality as well as fit and finish is better than the Hero Passion Pro that we recently reviewed. The TVS Star City Plus also comes with a smooth gearbox and has a good suspension setup. To top it all off, the lack of weight makes the Star City Plus BS6 an agile and easy-to-ride motorcycle in and around the city.   

Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi and Kapil Angane