TVS Star City 110 cc - One hell of an entry level bike

TVS Star City is known to be one of the best bikes in 100 cc segment category. Enticing looks grabs attention and the features will impress riders. The heat shield with plastic fiber mudguards makes it one attractive option in the segment.

The bike has been a hit with the beginners as well as in the rural market, to make it one enticing bike for the urbane riders TVS Motors has given the bike a facelift and launched a revised Star City 110cc version in late 2009 as one decent new age bike.

The low-cost two-wheeler will have additional features including aerodynamic shape with dual-tone body, enhanced front faring, new sleek body graphics, mobile charger point, a white-back speedometer with R letter, the RCF (Roller Cam Follower) technology for pushing the bike further without consuming extra fuel and a sporty silencer. The new Star City 110 also comes with alloy wheel and electric start options for looks and convenience. As part of the facelift package the bike now runs on a CVTi engine (Charge motion Variable Timing intelligence system). This feature combines the principle of swirl and tumble motion.



The air-fuel combustion becomes complete once the bike achieves needed turbulence created within the engine by swirl and tumble motion as well as high in-cylinder charge. It is the same feature we see in the Bajaj XCD DTS-Si. This kind of air-fuel mixing aids in reducing CO2 emissions. The chrome metal mudguards are replaced by neat plastic units and the grab handle replaced by alloy-made one. The bike also gets a new heat shield adding to the rich looks of the bike.

Additionally, according to the company the high energy ignition, projected spark plug and optimized ignition timing would make the bike more fuel efficient. The sturdy 4-stroke, air cooled 109.7cc CVTi engine belts out produces 6.1 KW (8.1 Bhp) @ 7500 RPM and produces a peak torque of 8.1 Nm @ 5000 RPM. There are few other tweaks that are done to the single overhead camshaft-driven motor. The internal of the gearbox are untouched and so are the up gearshifts which remain smooth like earlier. The new look exhaust note is another tweak made and it improves the health of the bike which along with cable-controlled clutch gives appropriate ratio of progression and weight to the rider. The RCF motor improves motor efficiency to give smooth handling as shift from low to high-speed gears.

If this is all one incredible package, what do you say to the 5-years or 50,000 km (whichever comes early) warranty offered for the new Star City? Just that finger-licking icing on the cake!

The rear shock absorber can be adjusted without extra tools. The convenient lever position facilitates easy tweaks.

Design and Conveniences
The good-looking Star City now has a seating position that is comfortable for the rider and the pillion. The bike's instrument cluster comes with switches including a pass light switch as well as a push to cancel the turn indicators. You will still see the tall TVS trademarked mirrors, quality-enhanced plastics and rubber parts, as well as good control levers.



Ride and Handling
Star City comes with conventional suspension i.e., telescopic front forks and hydraulic twin shocks in the front and the rear. TVS has worked on the braking system of the bike too and the bike boasts a mileage of around 60 kmpl even in the heavy bumper-bumper city traffic and pushes additional km to give a high 65 kmpl on the highways. The halogen-powered bright headlamp gives comfortable night riding. The elegant new TVS Star City 110 cc is offered in 2 attractive colors - Red and Blue.

Final word:
TVS has combined fuel economy and the contemporary looks and packaged them into the new TVS Star City 110cc which is one hell of a entry-level bike. The price of
Rs. 40 k (ex-showroom and subject to vary with city) makes it a great deal.