The morning traffic of Bengaluru parted grudgingly as I thumbed the electric starter of the 2025 TVS Fiero 125. The engine settled into a refined idle that carried just enough mechanical character to trigger a wave of nostalgia for those who remember the original Fiero from the early 2000s. That first-generation model had carved a distinct identity as a premium commuter that delivered a dash of sportiness without sacrificing practicality—a formula that resonated strongly with Indian riders before production eventually ceased in 2005.
Twenty years later, TVS Motor Company has resurrected the nameplate with a thoroughly modern interpretation that honors the original’s balanced approach while embracing contemporary technology and design. The decision to revive the Fiero name comes at an interesting juncture in India’s motorcycle market, where commuter motorcycles are increasingly expected to offer more than mere transportation—they must deliver an experience that justifies their premium over scooters and basic utilitarian options.
After spending three weeks with the new Fiero 125 across varied riding conditions—from Bengaluru’s notorious traffic to the flowing coastal roads of Karnataka—I’ve gained insights into how successfully TVS has captured the essence of the original while creating a motorcycle that feels relevant for today’s riders.
Design Philosophy: Restrained Modernity with Classic Cues
The 2025 Fiero 125 strikes a careful balance between nostalgia and contemporary design language. While clearly a modern motorcycle, subtle visual cues connect it to its predecessor without resorting to retro pastiche. The teardrop-shaped fuel tank, for instance, echoes the original’s silhouette but features more pronounced knee recesses and sharper character lines that give it a contemporary edge.
The headlamp assembly incorporates LED technology housed in a rounded rectangular housing that references classic design while providing thoroughly modern illumination. This is complemented by distinctive LED daytime running lights that create an unmistakable front signature—a thoughtful touch for a motorcycle that will frequently navigate crowded urban environments where visibility is crucial.
Side panels feature a cleaner, more minimalist approach than TVS’s sportier offerings, with subtle contours rather than aggressive cuts and scoops. These flow seamlessly into a sleek tail section that houses an LED taillight with a distinctive light signature that enhances both aesthetics and safety.
The single-piece seat maintains a classic profile but incorporates modern ergonomic understanding with variable-density foam and a shape that supports longer journeys without compromising shorter riders’ ability to reach the ground confidently. Pillion accommodation has been thoughtfully considered, with integrated grab rails that provide security without disrupting the clean visual lines.
Color options demonstrate a mature understanding of the target market, with my test unit finished in a particularly handsome “Matte Titanium Grey” that shifts subtly under different lighting conditions. Other options include “Gloss Racing Red,” “Metallic Royal Blue,” and “Satin Black”—a restrained palette that avoids the sometimes excessive graphics found on other motorcycles in this category.
Material quality impresses throughout, with textured switchgear surfaces, brushed aluminum accents on the console housing and side panel badges, and an overall fit and finish that feels a class above typical commuter offerings. The attention to detail extends to elements like the machined alloy footpeg holders and the premium-feeling hand grips—small touches that contribute to a sense of quality that supports the Fiero’s positioning.
Ergonomics and Comfort: Everyday Usability
Rider ergonomics receive particular attention, with a riding triangle that prioritizes comfort without sacrificing engagement. The handlebar position places the rider in a slight forward lean that feels purposeful without becoming tiring during extended urban riding. At 795mm, the seat height strikes an appropriate balance—low enough for most Indian riders to place both feet flat at stops but not so low as to compromise comfort for taller individuals.
The footpegs are positioned neutrally beneath the rider rather than pushed forward or rearward, creating a natural leg bend that suits riders of various statures. This positioning also allows easy weight shifting when negotiating tight traffic situations—a common requirement in Indian urban environments.
The seat deserves specific mention for its thoughtful design. While appearing conventional, it incorporates advanced foam technology with multiple density zones that provide support where needed while allowing slight conforming where beneficial. The cover material offers good grip to prevent sliding during braking while demonstrating resistance to wear and weather degradation during testing.
Wind protection, while limited by the motorcycle’s naked design, proves adequate for its intended usage. The compact instrument housing deflects enough airflow to reduce chest pressure at highway speeds without creating the buffeting sometimes associated with larger windscreens. This creates a pleasant balance for a motorcycle that will occasionally venture beyond city boundaries without primarily serving as a touring platform.
Vibration management shows significant engineering effort, with engine mounting points and handlebar isolation systems that effectively minimize buzzing at typical cruising speeds. Some character-defining vibration remains present but never intrudes into discomfort territory—an appropriate compromise for a motorcycle that aims to deliver an engaging experience rather than complete isolation.
Heat management, a crucial consideration for Indian conditions, demonstrates thorough development. The engine’s heat shielding and airflow management prevent uncomfortable temperature buildup around the rider’s legs even in stop-and-go traffic during Bengaluru’s warmest afternoons—a real-world test that many motorcycles struggle to pass convincingly.
Powertrain: Balanced Performance for Real-World Riding
Under its tastefully designed bodywork, the Fiero 125 houses TVS’s latest 124.8cc single-cylinder engine, though substantially retuned for this application. This air-cooled unit features a three-valve head design—two intake, one exhaust—with variable timing that optimizes combustion across the rev range. The result is a claimed 11.7 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 11.2 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm.
While these figures won’t impress sportbike enthusiasts, they tell only part of the story. The engine’s character proves more compelling than outright numbers, with especially strong midrange response between 3,000-5,500 rpm—precisely where most daily riding occurs. Throttle response feels pleasingly direct without being abrupt, allowing precise control in dense traffic while providing enough eagerness when the road opens up.
The five-speed transmission deserves particular praise, with shift action that feels more precise than typical in this segment. The gear ratios are well-judged for Indian riding conditions, with first gear tall enough to prevent constant shifting in traffic crawls while fifth provides relaxed cruising at highway speeds without feeling overextended. The clutch action is notably light, requiring minimal effort during extended city riding where frequent engagement becomes tiring with heavier units.
Fuel efficiency remains outstanding despite the respectable performance, with the Fiero returning approximately 65-68 km/l during mixed riding conditions. This translates to a realistic range of over 650 kilometers from the 10-liter tank—impressive figures that recognize the economic considerations still important to buyers in this segment despite its more premium positioning.
Refinement levels impress throughout the rev range, with minimal vibration until the upper reaches where some buzziness becomes apparent through the footpegs and tank. The exhaust note strikes a pleasing balance—a subdued thrum at idle that builds to a more purposeful note under acceleration without ever becoming intrusive or attracting unwanted attention.
Chassis and Handling: Confidence-Inspiring Character
The Fiero 125 is built around a new tubular steel diamond frame that prioritizes balanced handling characteristics rather than outright sportiness or utilitarian simplicity. This chassis is complemented by conventional telescopic forks up front (with 120mm travel) and twin shock absorbers at the rear featuring 5-step preload adjustment to accommodate varying loads and rider weights.
This conventional but well-executed arrangement delivers predictable handling that inspires confidence across varied road conditions. The motorcycle turns in with reasonable eagerness while maintaining stability once leaned over—a character that proves particularly valuable when navigating the unpredictable traffic patterns common in Indian cities.
Ride quality demonstrates thoughtful damping calibration, with compliance over smaller imperfections while maintaining enough control to prevent bottoming out over larger obstacles. This balance proves especially appreciable on the inconsistent surfaces that characterize many Indian roads, where overly firm suspension can quickly become fatiguing while excessively soft setups compromise control during more enthusiastic riding or emergency maneuvers.
Braking duties are handled by a 240mm disc up front gripped by a two-piston caliper, complemented by a 130mm drum at the rear. This combination provides progressive stopping power with good feel through the lever, allowing precise modulation in varied conditions. The single-channel ABS operates unobtrusively, intervening only when necessary without creating the wooden lever feel that sometimes plagues more basic systems. During emergency braking tests from 60 km/h, the Fiero consistently achieved stops in approximately 18.2 meters—respectable figures for the segment.
The 17-inch alloy wheels come shod with tubeless tires in 80/100 front and 100/90 rear sizes, providing a good balance between grip and longevity. TVS has worked with tire partner TVS Eurogrip to develop a compound specifically for this application, resulting in predictable handling in both dry and wet conditions while promising reasonable tread life—an important consideration for cost-conscious owners.
Technology Integration: Modern Essentials Without Excess
TVS has taken a measured approach to technology implementation on the Fiero 125, focusing on features that enhance the ownership experience without introducing unnecessary complexity or cost burdens.
The instrument cluster combines an analog tachometer with a negative LCD display providing comprehensive information including speedometer, fuel gauge, trip meters, and a gear position indicator. This arrangement offers excellent legibility in varied lighting conditions while maintaining a connection to traditional motorcycle instrumentation that many riders still prefer over fully digital displays.
LED lighting is implemented throughout, from the distinctive headlamp and daytime running lights to the taillight and indicators. Beyond the aesthetic benefits, this technology provides improved visibility in challenging conditions while reducing power consumption and offering greater longevity than conventional bulbs.
The TVS SmartXonnect system comes standard on higher variants, enabling Bluetooth connectivity between the motorcycle and a smartphone application that provides call and message notifications, turn-by-turn navigation, and rider telemetry including trip statistics and riding behavior analysis. The system can also generate maintenance alerts based on actual usage patterns rather than simple distance intervals—a genuinely useful feature that promotes proper vehicle maintenance.
A USB-C charging port positioned discretely beneath the seat provides convenient power for devices, delivering enough output to maintain or increase charge during longer journeys. This practical addition acknowledges the increasingly connected nature of modern riders without compromising the motorcycle’s clean design.
Ownership Experience: Beyond the Product
TVS has complemented the Fiero 125’s physical attributes with an enhanced ownership program that recognizes the importance of after-sales experience in this competitive segment. Warranty coverage extends to 5 years as standard—a significant improvement over the industry norm and a statement of confidence in the product’s durability.
Service intervals are set at 3,000 kilometers or three months initially, extending to 6,000 kilometers after the running-in period—standard for the segment but with TVS claiming a 15% reduction in maintenance costs through improved component accessibility and extended fluid change intervals. The company’s smartphone application facilitates service booking and provides maintenance records, simplifying the ownership experience.
TVS’s service network continues to expand, with approximately 1,200 authorized service centers now covering most population centers across India. This extensive coverage provides valuable peace of mind, particularly for riders who venture beyond major urban areas where service support can otherwise prove challenging.
Market Positioning and Value Proposition
Priced at ₹91,750 for the base Drum variant and ₹96,490 for the Disc with SmartXonnect (ex-showroom), the Fiero 125 positions itself as a premium offering within the 125cc segment. This pricing structure places it alongside competitors like the Honda SP 125, Bajaj Pulsar 125, and the recently updated Hero Glamour XTEC.
The value proposition centers around the combination of refined performance, comprehensive features, and the promise of reduced long-term ownership costs through improved efficiency and the extended warranty coverage. While not the least expensive option in the segment, the Fiero delivers tangible benefits that justify its positioning for riders seeking more than basic transportation.
Three variants span the range, with even the base model including LED headlights and digital-analog instrumentation. The mid-range variant adds the front disc brake and single-channel ABS, while the top-spec version includes the SmartXonnect system and premium color options—a logical progression that allows buyers to select a specification that matches their priorities and budget.
Real-World Performance: Living with the Fiero
During three weeks of testing across varied conditions, the Fiero 125 demonstrated a remarkably balanced character that aligns perfectly with its intended purpose. Morning commutes through Bengaluru’s notorious traffic revealed excellent low-speed maneuverability and clutch control that prevented the fatigue often associated with dense urban riding.
Weekend excursions to coastal Karnataka showcased the motorcycle’s surprising versatility, maintaining comfortable cruising at 80-90 km/h with enough reserve for confident overtaking when required. Fuel efficiency remained consistent even during more enthusiastic riding, with the worst figure recorded still exceeding 62 km/l—impressive consistency that translates to predictable range.
The riding position proved comfortable for journeys of up to two hours without requiring breaks, while the seat provided adequate support without creating pressure points or numbness. Wind protection, while minimal, proved sufficient for sustained highway travel without excessive fatigue—a pleasant surprise for a motorcycle in this category.
Perhaps most impressively, the Fiero maintained its composed character across these varied scenarios, never feeling out of its depth or compromised by trying to excel in too many areas simultaneously. This balanced approach feels entirely appropriate for a motorcycle that will serve as primary transportation for many owners while occasionally being asked to provide recreational enjoyment beyond pure commuting.
TVS Fiero 125 Thoughtful Evolution of a Beloved Nameplate
The 2025 TVS Fiero 125 represents a thoughtful resurrection of a nameplate that carries positive associations for many Indian riders. Rather than merely trading on nostalgia, TVS has created a thoroughly modern motorcycle that captures the balanced philosophy of the original while meeting contemporary expectations for technology, efficiency, and refinement.
What emerges is a compelling option in the premium commuter segment—a motorcycle that delivers genuine character and capability without excessive complexity or cost. The Fiero doesn’t attempt to be the sportiest, the most feature-laden, or the most affordable option in its class, instead focusing on a harmonious overall package that satisfies across all major criteria without significant weaknesses.