TVS Flame SR 125

TVS has decided to focus solely on a single spark plug-equipped model and has introduced a refreshed version – Flame SR 125. AutoCar(Aug. ’09) takes a quick look...

On the styling front, the SR 125 is identical to the original Flame, save for minute details and slightly revised graphics on its fairing, tank and tail-section. Edgy design cues visible on the headlight, fairing and tank extensions successfully give the bike a muscular and purposeful look. The indicator lamps that neatly integrate on the tank cowls remain standout features. An analog speedometer takes pride of place behind the angular fairing, while a digital readout that its just behind it functions as an odometer, trip-meter, fuel gauge, clock and real-time mileage indicator. The wheels, front forks, engine, rear suspension and silencer continue to sport an all-black look. A redesigned heat shield is a change visible on the bike’s stylish triangular silencer. And a neat split tail-light brings up the bike rear end.

The Flame’s 124-8cc, air-cooled and four-stroke engine has been the bone of much contention. Deploying three valves – two for inlet and one exhaust – the SR 125 uses a single spark plug to ignite the air-fuel mixture. An intelligent carburettor controls the opening of the dual inlet ports allowing the bike to function in two-valve mode at low engine speeds in the interest of fuel economy, only becoming a three-valver at higher rpm when extra power is called for. TVS claims tweaks have been carried out on the SR 125’s engine for optimal combustion and improved NVH with lots of work having gone into perfecting the tumble and swirl induction of the air and fuel mixture.

As before, the bike uses as ingle down-tube frame, with the engine bolted on as a stressed member. The suspension set-up too remains unchanged, the SR 125 featuring twin telescopic forks up front along with a pair of hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear. However the bike now comes with a chunkier 100/90x 18-inch rear tyre in lieu of the original Flame’s 90/90 section unit.

The SR 125 will be sold in two-dual tone paint combinations – red with black and blue with black – apart from all black paint schemes. It remains to be seen whether the new Flame SR 125’s refreshed styling can suffice to re-ignite buyer interest in this competitive segment.