The Hindu Business Line : TVS Star Sport

The expectations of two-wheeler buyers are mind-boggling. No wonder it seems convincing when manufacturers claim that the number of sub-segments is immeasurable within the broad categories of the two-wheeler market, especially in the bikes segment. It is also an undeniable fact that the average two-wheeler buyer is maturing, even in the entry-level segment. And with maturity has come increased expectations. So, a marketing logic that is gaining industry-wide acceptance is that the buyer is now willing to spend a few bucks more for improved visual appeal, be it in the entry-level or the so-called performance segment.

Star show

TVS Motor gets a whopping three-fourths of its sales volumes from bikes under the `Star' brand. The Star and the Star City have contributed substantially to bringing back the volumes to TVS' economy bikes portfolio.

So, it is a no-brainer that TVS would want to further leverage a brand that has gained considerable popularity in the last two years. The fact that buyers in the economy segment too are beginning to look for features that have been available only in executive class bikes has only gone on to reaffirm the brand extension logic.

The new TVS Star Sport is targeted at customers looking for a dash of sport-appeal in an otherwise economical package. So, the new Sport version shares the same platform and mechanicals as the existing versions of the TVS Star and Star City. The changes or the additions to the new variant are mostly cosmetic, meant to whet the appetite of buyers of this entry-level bike.

The Star Sport gets alloy wheels, the same type that comes with the Star City, a new silencer finish theme with a matt-black pipe and chrome-finished heat-shield, a new dual-pod instrument cluster with all the usual indicators and a new dome headlamp with position lamps (pilot lamps), supposedly a first in this segment. The tail lamp and the body side panels have also been marginally tweaked to give the rear a slightly more sleek appearance.

The Star Sport also features a different, smaller looking and sleeker fuel tank. Adorning the fuel tank and the side panels are a set of new dual-tone stickers that also feature a lot of chrome graphics adding to the overall appeal of the new bike.

The Star Sport will come with the same 99.7cc engine that generates 7.5bhp of peak power. It also features the same single, down-tube chassis and the four-speed constant mesh gearbox available with the Star City. The suspension set-up is also similar, except for the one mm longer stroke for the rear hydraulic shocker that now is the 5-step adjustable type.

Two versions

The TVS Star Sport comes in two versions. The base version has alloy wheels that come in two colours — red and black — and the deluxe version has additions such as a fuel gauge and chrome graphics, and comes in premium colours such as silver, black and blue. The base and deluxe versions cost Rs 33,990 and Rs 35,490 respectively (ex-showroom, Chennai). The bike, except for a few specific parts, comes with a five-year warranty..

Despite few persisting issues such as vibration and engine refinement, which is endemic to most entry-level bikes, the Star Sport can be an attractive option for buyers in this segment looking for style and practicality.

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