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It is one thing to make a successful product and it is a different ordeal altogether when you not only challenge the regime but shake it up to the core. In a country where gearless scooters are synonymous with a particular moniker, it is hard to not only clock good sales figures but to survive as well. The TVS Jupiter barged on to the scene at a time when the lines were really blurred between the Honda Activa and gearless scooters. So much so, we were calling other gearless scooters Activa as well. Jupiter not only took the fight to the king, it forced him to step into the battle ground, leaving the comfortable fortress behind. Apart from this fabled tale, I also have a personal connection with the TVS Jupiter as it was my first vehicle with a motor slapped on to it. I had it in the signature dark grey shade and I even gave a name to it - Flash. When Akaash asked me if I wanted the new Jupiter for a week, the motorcyclist in me frowned but then I wanted to relive the olden, golden days again astride Flash’s updated, distant brother from the future. This is how it turned out!
Oh yes, it does! While the previous Jupiter was inoffensive at best, it wasn’t really what you would call a head turner. The new one rectifies that but preserves the inoffensive ethos since it has to appeal to a very wide spectrum of consumers. The connected treatment for the front apron mounted DRLs and the tail lamp setup ties the Jupiter in a very nice aesthetic thread. It not only looks much more modern than before but there’s a slight sprinkling of sportiness too, especially the side panels with their sharp lines and creases. Our test unit came wrapped in a stunning shade of Dawn Blue Matte, which, according to me, is one of the best shades ever applied on an otherwise mundane means of transport. TVS has always been synonymous with good build quality, especially in the modern times and the Jupiter falls under the same family tree with good quality levels. The best part about Jupiter’s looks? It compliments the way it rides. Not mundane at all, that is!
With the fond memories of Flash still fresh in my mind, the new Jupiter purred to life. There was a sense of familiarity that hit me with its idling note but that soon vanished the next moment when my right wrist commanded its mechanical horses to move ahead. It moved… differently! TVS not only has great engineers but a whole arsenal of mechanical wizards pulling all sorts of tricks. (Did I just uncover one of TVS’ hidden departments?) One such trick implemented on Jupiter is a micro-hybrid system that gives a boost of 0.06 kgm. The new powerplant is derived from the Jupiter 125 and sees a bump in both, displacement and performance figures. The motor is now rated at 8hp and 9.8Nm. While the horsepowr figure might indicate the same story, the extra 1nm and the micro-hybrid assist system make a lot of difference.
The previous Jupiter or any other ‘normal’ gearless scooter for that matter, was prone to a slight lag right from the word go. The new one feels much more zesty as compared to that as it shoots off the line with much more vigour. It continues to pull strong till 60kmph, after that, the grunt starts flattening a little. The Jupiter goes on to register a speedo-indicated top speed of 89kmph but the most impressive thing is the refinement. At no speed does it feel harsh. Even when you keep the throttle completely pinned, it just sits there quietly, like a submissive partner waiting for you to command her something. Only a hint of vibrations creep in on the floorboard at those kinds of speeds which is absolutely fine because at the end of the day, no father would drop his kid off to school riding at 85kmph on a gearless scooter. While I was thoroughly impressed by the scooter, what took me by actual surprise was the fuel economy. Since my garage has lately seen shuffling of many performance-oriented motorcycles, I had forgotten how it feels to live with a frugal vehicle. The Jupiter delivered around 50 kilometres to a litre, despite me actually abusing it the whole time. Mind? Blown! I became slightly richer because of Jupiter. Only slightly.
I don’t remember riding a TVS vehicle that wasn’t a confident handler, especially in the modern times. So be it their halo offering like the Apache RR 310 or their bread earner - the Jupiter… TVS has found a way to strike the perfect balance between ride quality and riding dynamics. I have this feeling that their secret department, consisting of wizards, are behind this sorcery. The new Jupiter is a thorough revamp over the previous one because it is based on the same platform as the Jupiter 125. This transition has shifted the fuel tank to the floorboard, resulting in a much lower centre of gravity which has transformed how the Jupiter rides. A decade back, I favoured the Jupiter instead of Activa because of the same reason. Stability. More confidence while riding. A decade later on, I am in a different ballgame altogether while Jupiter has not only retained those traits, it has amplified them. It has no business handling twisties like it does in its recent form. Slap some slicks on it, give it to an able rider and see him pulling off stupid stuff on this otherwise ‘mundane family scooter’. If you still find it mundane, strap on your helmet and try replicating the same. Jupiter would do it still, with you hanging on for your dear life.
It doesn’t mean its ride quality has taken a hit because even when it comes to dealing with rough surfaces, you would see Jupiter dealing with a wide smile on its face. Which it actually has, thanks to the connected DRLs. The connected DRLs make Jupiter look like it is smiling and that is indeed the case. It is a happy scooter, no matter how you ride it, where you ride it. Over the course of a week that I had the scooter, I did everything with it that I usually do with my motorcycles and not on one occasion was I not content. That week included a couple of highway runs, an off-roading venture that took us to a pretty place and the rest of the time? We were just hopping around here and there. It not only took me places but it basically teleported me to a different dimension altogether. A dimension where there was no place for fast-paced life, powerful motorcycles or a mind that was running faster than the speed of light. It was a dimension where I was just living my life, with a rather careless demeanour. Good gearless scooters do that to you. Jupiter? It is one of the best out there so it had to do that. Even when it comes to braking, the prowess is reassuring as it can be specced with a disc brake at the front and comes with CBS as standard.
Since I am penning this review weeks after I actually rode the Jupiter, all I can briefly remember is scratching my head trying to figure out negatives about the scooter. While the Jupiter gets a cavernous underseat storage of 33 litres, it still cannot devour an imported full face helmet. The other niggle being the automatic start stop system which gave up on me on a few embarrassing occasions as I stood there on traffic signals, completely geared up, fiddling with the scooter to fire it up again, with the oh so patient commuters bent on damaging my ear drums. Apart from these few bits, it is hard to fault a complete offering like the Jupiter.
It gets it. Loads of them. The LDC instrument cluster comes bundled up with bluetooth connectivity which enables turn-by-turn navigation and call & notification alerts. It goes a little further when it comes to functionality as it also displays real-time mileage, and distance to empty. TVS one ups the competition by offering a voice assistant when paired with a Bluetooth headset.
Even today, I miss it sometimes. During the week that I had, it became my happy place. If you think about it, this is how a gearless scooter should be. Particularly if it is designed to keep the entire family’s needs in mind. It should feel easy, effortless and efficient. Jupiter delivers on all the fronts as it wouldn’t disappoint ANY family member out there. It would keep the young ones happy with its peppy performance and able riding dynamics. For the ones going through their mid-life crisis, this pretty thing would bring a breeze of relief with its overall space and features on offer. For the ones who will soon become close friends with the one who carries a scythe, it would cocoon them in their final few years with its comfort on offer. If you are thinking of extending your family, get a dog and the TVS Jupiter. You would be content.
