Launched on September 16, 2021, TVS Motor Co’s first 125cc motorcycle turns four years old today. The tech-laden Raider 125, which was TVS’ best-selling bike in FY2024, has sold 1.35 million units in the domestic market, and over 245,000 units have been exported.
16 Sep 2025 | 5844 Views | By Ajit Dalvi
The TVS Raider 125, launched in India on September 16, 2021, is four years old today. The success of TVS Motor Co’s first 125cc motorcycle is proof that the company entered the 125cc sporty commuter bike segment just as it was gaining traction in India.
From its launch until ...
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The TVS Raider 125, launched in India on September 16, 2021, is four years old today. The success of TVS Motor Co’s first 125cc motorcycle is proof that the company entered the 125cc sporty commuter bike segment just as it was gaining traction in India.
From its launch until end-August 2025, the premium, tech-laden Raider 125 commuter motorcycle has sold a total of 1,604,355 units, or over 1.60 million units. This total comprises 1.35 million units in the domestic market and over 245,000 units in exports (see data table below). In the domestic market, from its launch until August 2025, the Raider 125 has accounted for 39% of TVS Motor’s cumulative motorcycle sales of 3.52 million units.
Monthly sales in the last six months of FY2022 averaged 12,190 units for a total of 76,742 units, and rose 212% YoY to 239,388 units in the next fiscal. In FY2024, the Raider 125 earned the distinction of being TVS Motor Co’s best-selling bike, with a YoY doubling of sales to 478,443 units — 100,361 units ahead of the TVS Apache series (378,072 units).
However, since then, there has been a moderation in demand for the snazzy motorcycle, which is part of a competitive category featuring well-established rivals like the Hero Glamour, Super Splendor, Xtreme 125, Bajaj Pulsar, and the Honda Shine. The Bajaj Freedom 125, the world's first CNG-powered motorcycle, is also part of the segment.
The Raider 125’s sales in FY2025, at 399,819 units, were down 16% YoY, and its performance in the first five months of FY2026, at 130,421 units, is also lagging year-ago sales by 9% (April–July 2024: 142,744 units). The Honda Shine, which has sold 571,245 units in the April–July 2025 period, is the segment leader by a huge margin over all its key rivals, including the Raider.
On the export front, over 245,000 TVS Raiders have been shipped to overseas markets by the end of August 2025. The best export fiscal year was FY2025, with 71,341 units, up 31% YoY. In the first five months of FY2026, an estimated 37,000 units have been exported, which means the current fiscal could turn out to be the Raider 125’s best year yet.
Available in six variants – Drum (Rs 87,993), Single-seat (Rs 94,693), Split seat (Rs 94,443), iGo (Rs 98,443), SSE (Rs 99,693), and SX (Rs 103,515, all prices ex-showroom Maharashtra) – the TVS Raider 125 was India’s first commuter bike equipped with a TFT console. Its other standout elements include its athletic-looking styling — notably the muscular tank, snazzy headlight, and minimalist tail-lamp — as well as the split seat.
With GST 2.0 reducing the tax on two-wheelers to 18% from 28%, the TVS Raider 125, along with other TVS internal combustion engine motorcycles and scooters, will also benefit from a lower sticker price, which should help provide a sales boost.
Raider rides high on snazzy design and tech
The snazzy styling, with more than a hint of sportiness compared with the staid designs of most of its rivals, seems to have paid dividends for the Raider 125. What seems to have drawn buyers to the TVS Raider 125 is also the range of features, like daytime running lights, pass-light switch, pillion grabrail, pillion seat, pillion footrest, tripmeter, electric start, and clock.
Voted Autocar India's Bike of the Year 2022 for its combination of striking looks, punchy engine, and value-for-money proposition, the Raider 125 is powered by TVS’ potent 124.8cc engine, which develops 11.4hp and 11.75 Nm of torque, mated to a five-speed transmission.
TVS claims this motorcycle, which is shod with 17-inch tyres, accelerates from 0–60 kph in 5.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 99 kph. Fuel efficiency is a claimed 67 kilometres per litre.