TVS XL100 Heavy Duty Alloy: First Ride Review

The Visuals

If there’s something about the XL that has left a mark on me, then it is the almost timeless nature of the design. Going back to when I can still remember things, almost 2 decades ago, the XL has been there in one form or another. Full disclaimer here: I’m 26 years old, a proper Gen Z, and own a Yamaha MT-15. It’ll give you an idea about my taste in bikes, and still the TVS XL caught my attention

Sure, with the XL100 Heavy Duty there are some styling changes, like the addition of new graphics, stylish ‘Heavy Duty’ liveries, and also alloy wheels. But if you take this moped back in time, it won’t feel too out of place.

The minimalist retro design, with the round headlight, the simple, sleek tank, and the overall rugged profile, hasn’t changed much. The XL100 makes one ask: what exactly can be changed? The customer base for it doesn’t really care much about fancy looks, as long as the moped does the job.

But if there is one thing that has changed, then it is the prevalence of smartphones, and because of this, there’s a USB charging port placed at the instrument cluster. However, for some reason, the test unit that we had received didn’t have a USB charging port.

The Package

The TVS XL, when it was first launched, was powered by a 50cc two-stroke engine, but now it features a 99.7cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke engine. The motor produces 4.3bhp and 6.5Nm. And before you ask, it is E20 compliant.

It is suspended on a telescopic fork and twin rear shock absorbers with preload adjustment. As mentioned before, the Heavy Duty variant features 16-inch alloy wheels at both ends, with tubeless tyres. The braking setup is basic, consisting of drum brakes at both ends with a combined braking system (CBS) for added safety. The kerb weight comes to 89kg, making it quite light.

I lift more weights in the gym, so using this little two-wheeler as a substitute for my barbells was a thought that did cross my mind. But you get how light this little moped is, right?

Lastly, coming to the features. The XL100 gets a simple analogue instrument console, with a speedometer and odometer. There is no fuel gauge, and instead there’s a low fuel indicator telling you when to tank up again.

The Ride

Sitting on the XL100 is a different feeling; as I am used to bikes and scooters, there’s a clear distinction between the two. But a moped blurs those lines. Sure, the riding posture is upright and comfortable like a scooter, and the footpeg placement is almost like a commuter bike. The low seat height of 787mm makes getting a flat foot on both sides easy.

When I rode it for the first couple of times, I kept looking for a gear lever on the left side. After a few rides, I naturally stopped looking for it. As I rode it more, a few things became evident. Although the seat is large and spacious, the cushioning is a bit too soft, and this lack of support can get uncomfortable over extended saddle time.

Riding the XL100 is an interesting experience, and it really puts a lot of things into perspective. For starters, the 99.7cc engine is not the most powerful one out there. The acceleration is slow, and it takes a while to pick up speed.

While on the move, it is also quite fun to see the analogue console at work, with the speedometer rising and the analogue odometer readings increasing with each kilometer. It reminded me of my dad’s old scooter, which had a similar setup. The console really cements the retro credentials, and unlike a digital console, the visibility isn’t affected by sunlight.

But back to picking up speed. The motor can sit at speeds of up to 40-50kmph, but with noticeable vibrations on the handlebar and footpegs. Once it is pushed beyond that, it feels out of breath. That said, it gets up to 68kmph top speed, so being able to keep up with city traffic is not a concern. The most surprising thing about the performance is that the pick-up remains consistent even when riding with a pillion or heavier loads.

During our time with the XL100, we also tested its real-world mileage. In our tests, the XL100 returned an average of 49kmpl, after being ridden hard over approximately 60km, with a mix of both city traffic and some relatively open sections of road. The mileage is decent for something that is meant to be a utilitarian workhorse.

In that aspect, it shines well, and despite its low kerb weight of 89kg, it can haul cargo up to 150kg. The small weight also comes down to the tiny profile of the moped, and when riding through traffic, there’s this unmistakable feeling that you’re the smallest fish in the pond.

Cutting through traffic is effortless, and even the smallest gaps present opportunities to get ahead of the stationary traffic. On the go, the lightweight also makes handling a breeze. There’s no need for unnecessary countersteering force when making steering inputs, and the XL100 changes directions quickly.

In the XL100’s case, the handling does come at the cost of ride quality, but the trade-off is fair considering the purpose of hauling heavy cargo. With the stock preload setting, a lot of the bumps and potholes on the road are felt. But with a pillion or heavy load at the back, the ride quality tends to improve. The option to adjust the preload also makes it possible to tweak the settings further to handle heavier loads.

The braking performance is the weakest aspect of the riding experience. The brakes don’t inspire much confidence, and the feel is quite vague. It takes significant pressure on the levers to bring the moped to a halt, and the stopping distances are long. At speeds under 50kmph, the braking performance is okay and can reliably bring it to a halt. But beyond these speeds, things have to be planned further ahead due to the higher stopping distances.

Verdict

When considering the overall package, the TVS XL100 is not the fastest; it is also not the most feature-packed, and riding it felt like being taken back in time when we weren’t so accustomed to higher power like we are today. But even with these “shortcomings”, the XL100 still nails its intended purpose.

The XL100 fulfils a very important job in the last-mile delivery space, and for small business owners who need to transport cargo. With its high load-carrying capacity, and now the addition of alloy wheels, the XL100 is more capable of handling this challenge. At its current price of Rs. 61,860 (ex-showroom, Delhi), it is an excellent value-for-money proposition, and currently the only ICE moped that you can buy. Think about it. In today’s day and age, you have a bulletproof, reliable and easy-to-ride two-wheeler that costs less than an Apple iPhone or top-end Android smartphone.

If you are a small business owner who needs a proper workhorse that can handle hauling cargo and smaller commutes, then the XL100 is still your best bet. Unlike its electric rivals, you also won’t have to worry about long charging times or being limited by the battery range.

Photography by Kapil Angane