Suzuki Avenis: Old wine, new skin

Despite its striking looks and a price that does not burn a hole in the pocket, the scooter leaves much to be desired

The Suzuki Access has been one of the bestselling 125cc scooters in India, thanks to a perfect blend of performance, practicality and affordability. But, one thing stopping buyers from opting for it has been its conservative design. If you are one such person, the new Suzuki Avenis may be your answer.

It is quite similar to the Access, sharing the same engine and chassis, but comes with a far sportier suit.

The most striking aspect of the new scooter and how it differs from the Access, is its design with an edgy look full of cuts and creases. Throw in a MotoGP graphics scheme and it would not look out of place in a racing paddock. It is hard, however, to ignore its similarity to the TVS NTorq in overall design language, proportions and shape.

The engine is the same 125cc motor that produces a healthy 8.7hp and 10Nm on tap.

A little extra performance would be welcome from this sportier looking scooter. It is unsurprising that the Avenis feels quite similar to the Access and the Burgman Street in terms of performance – it is quick, and feels rather zippy in the city – backing up its looks to some extent. It can also sit pretty at 70-80kph on the highway, smoothly cruising along thanks to its almost EV-rivalling levels of engine refinement.

It is not as quick as the TVS NTorq Race XP, and it is a little disappointing that it is not quicker than other scooters in Suzuki’s stable. It is a good deal more fuel efficient than the NTorq though, and delivers the excellent efficiency levels that this engine is known for.

The Avenis rides quite well and offers an absorptive suspension setup that works well and keeps you largely comfortable on Indian roads.