TVS Star City Plus, 6:15 AM. Silk Board Junction, Bangalore. My phone pings with 12 Swiggy orders as monsoon rain slicks the flyover. Beside me, a finance bro revs his Himalayan 450 – all ego and no space. I thumb my Star City’s starter, slot into a 6-inch gap, and vanish into traffic. This isn’t just a bike; it’s my ₹73,000 lifeline that feeds my family and fuels my degree. After 18 months and 37,000 km of abuse, here’s why the 2025 update deserves your respect.
TVS Star City Plus Design: Familiar Face, Smarter Tweaks
TVS knows better than to mess with perfection:
- Classic commuter silhouette unchanged since 2010 (why fix what survives Bangalore traffic?)
- New “Midnight Blue” paint hides scratches from grocery bags and reckless autos
- LED DRL strips added to the headlight – finally visible in monsoon gloom
- Engine crash guard standard after customer feedback (saves ₹1,500 repairs)
“Park it next to a Honda Shine. The Japanese looks clinical. The TVS? Like your dependable neighbor who fixes your flat tire at midnight.”
2025’s Gamechanger: The seat stitching pattern. Looks cosmetic but reduces butt-sweat by 30% in 40°C heat. Small miracle.
TVS Star City Plus Engine: 110cc of Unkillable Soul
The EcoThrust 109.7cc mill isn’t about speed – it’s about survival economics:
- 8.08 HP @ 7,500 rpm – slower than office gossip but never falters
- 9.4 Nm @ 5,500 rpm – hits early to haul your 90kg uncle + 25kg rice sacks
- Mileage: 67 km/L (tested with pillion) = ₹1.2/km running cost
- Soundtrack: Soft tappet click at idle → determined thrumb at full chat
TVS Star City Plus Real-World Test:
*Climbed Chennai’s GST Road flyover with 130kg load (me + LPG cylinder + groceries). RPM needle didn’t flinch. The RE Hunter behind me? Overheating in third gear.*
TVS Star City Plus Chassis: Simple Like Chapati, Strong Like Steel
- Single downtube frame – bent it twice, hammered it straight both times
- Telescopic forks soak up potholes like a sponge (until they leak at 50,000 km)
- 5-step preload rear shocks – set to 3 for solo, 5 for family shopping
- Weight: 112 kg dry – liftable when idiot SUVs box you in
Why It Works:
Hit a crater at 50 km/h? The Star City shrugs. The KTM Duke beside you? Needs new rims.
TVS Star City Plus Living With It: The Daily Grind
Commute (6 AM):
- Filters through stationary traffic like a rat through pipes
- Mirrors fold when squeezing past buses (intentional feature!)
- 5L tank = ₹500 weekly fuel budget
Delivery Shift (5 PM):
- Carrier rack holds 6 pizza boxes + 2 Biryani packets
- Pass footpegs double as grocery hooks (TVS didn’t plan this – we invented it)
Family Duty (Sunday):
- Fits 2 adults + 1 kid (physics-defying, but we manage)
- Hero’s optional top box (₹2,200) holds school bags + veggies
TVS Star City Plus 2025 Upgrades That Matter
- Side-stand cut-off switch: Prevents embarrassing stall-outs
- USB charger: Powers phones through 12-hour shifts (finally!)
- Wider kick lever: Works with chappals – critical for dhoti days
- Eco mode indicator: Glows green when you’re saving ₹0.02/km
Missing: ABS, disc brakes, tachometer.
Why we don’t care: Top speed is 85 km/h anyway.
Maintenance: Paan Shop Mechanics Rejoice
- Oil changes: ₹600 every 5,000 km (TVS TRU4 oil)
- Tires: ₹1,800/set (TVS Remora – lasts 25,000 km)
- Valve adjustments: Free at local garage (if you buy him chai)
- Parts cost: Clutch cable ₹250, chain kit ₹1,100
*“My 2021 model did 142,000 km before retiring. Only non-service part replaced: horn button (₹85).”*
Rivals? More Like Distant Cousins
- Hero Splendor iSmart: +₹8,000 for Bluetooth no rider uses
- Bajaj Platina: Lighter but cracks frames on bad roads
- Honda Shine 125: Smoother but ₹15,000 costlier for same job
- TVS’s Edge: 5-year warranty – they know you’ll abuse it daily.
Who It’s For (And Who Won’t Get It)
✅ You, if:
- Your “garage” is a parking spot between buildings
- “Performance” means reaching work dry in rain
- Mechanics are paid in smiles and ₹200 notes
- Your bike carries dreams (degrees, deliveries, dowries)
❌ Avoid, if:
- You’ve never carried livestock
- 0-60 km/h times excite you
- “Premium feel” matters more than ₹100 notes
- Your roads have fewer potholes than speed bumps
The Unspoken Truth
The Star City Plus isn’t transportation. It’s India on two wheels:
- Wedding guest? Carries 3 aunties in saris
- Monsoon warrior? Rides through 10-inch floods
- Mobile shop? Fitted with egg crates/milk cans/flowers
- Family heirloom? Gets passed to your kids like gold
“Riding a Star City is like voting – unglamorous, deeply personal, and every Indian has an opinion. While superbikes collect dust in showrooms, this ₹73k warrior moves a nation. That’s a badge no Harley can wear.”
