TVS Max Semi Trail

The TVS Max 125 Semi Trail is based on the ZT 125, which in itself is a decent motorcycle to look at, if not flashy. It is a proper budget-oriented commuter, which doesn’t look too built to a cost, but modern enough with a good design.

The front headlamp cowl of the TVS Max 125 Semi Trail looks big for a motorcycle of this segment and gives it an impression of a more premium motorcycle when viewed head-on from the front. The major visual change here happens to be the inclusion of a high mounted beak-shaped long front fender, attached just below the headlamp cowl. The headlamp is a full halogen unit, which is designed smartly but lacks LED lighting elements and even pilot lamps on its upper corners. The headlamp cowl gets an additional tinted upper visor to complete the front fascia.

The side profile of the TVS Max 125 Semi Trail is much identical to that of the ZT 125 again, save for the replacement of alloy wheels with more utilitarian spoke wheels which seem good fits for the purpose of the motorcycle. The fuel tank of the TVS Max 125 Semi Trail is nicely styled and has a smooth curved and wide design with prominent knee recesses. A major chunk of the lower side profile is characterized by long Y-shaped tilted side body panels just below the long seat which the motorcycle gets. 

The TVS Max 125 Semi Trail gets long and bulged out rear side body panels, which end up with a crown-shaped simple tail lamp, which looks like a straight lift-off from the first generation TVS Apache. To complete the simplistic look of the motorcycle, TVS has fitted the motorcycle with a simple aluminum grab rail and rear fender attached to the tailpiece. The TVS Max 125 Semi Trail comes equipped with a two pod all-analog instrument console, with two separate rounded units each for speedometer and odometer as well as a fuel gauge and warning lights.

While the TVS Max 125 Semi Trail is designed to make it look like an off-roader, its mechanical setup suggests otherwise. The alloy wheels are shod with off-road spec tires, but the specialty ends up there itself, as the TVS Max 125 Semi Trail shares its complete chassis setup with ZT 125. Nevertheless, the hydraulic telescopic forks at the front and series type hydraulic coil springs with a rectangular swingarm at the back. TVS has fitted the Max 125 Semi Trail with a good petal disc brake at the front, while a basic drum brake performs the stopping duties for the rear wheel. 

The very potent four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled, carbureted, 125cc engine from the ZT 125 has been fitted on the TVS Max 125 Semi Trail as well. Originally engineered for the India-specific TVS Phoenix 125, this engine is paired with a 4-speed manual gearbox and produces punchy performance numbers of 11 PS of power output and 11 Nm of torque output. The engine feels grunty enough to take on light urban duties perfectly.

Given its commuter motorcycle aspiration, the TVS Max 125 Semi Trail shies away from premium safety features like ABS and traction control. Though, a couple of nifty add-ons like the engine kill switch and front disc brake serve the purpose quite decently.

The ‘semi’ word in the TVS Max 125 Semi Trail suggests that it is not a clear off-road machine, and has been only designed to make it look like one. In that purpose, the TVS Max 125 Semi Trail serves the purpose pretty well, and the off-road spec tires coupled with the punchy engine and tractable chassis make up for a sturdy commuter for daily urban rides.