12:29 PM   Road Tests , Scooters

LML NV LS Road Test- LML NV back in Vogue - Der Motorrad Exclusive

We test the NV LS from LML to find out if it charms us with scooter magic or not? Amritansh posing on th NV LS infront of the workshop J ust...

We test the NV LS from LML to find out if it charms us with scooter magic or not?

Amritansh posing on th NV LS infront of the workshop

Just when the geared Scooter era was close to its extinction in India with almost everyone moving on to Motorcycles as their means for daily commute, LML shutting down, bajaj and Honda discontinuing their geared scooters, and with the advent of gearless scooter the sun of geared scooters had set in the horizon, LML pulled itself back, launched its select and NV scooters again in the market along with the option of 4 stroke to rope in customers who are still in for scooters but don’t want the maintenance of a 2 Stroke. Not only that, LML launched the trendy looking NV LS that added a variety to the current lineup and makes conventional concept of scooters ‘hep’ and totally cool as well. So without delaying any further by adding another paragraph to the prologue, which to be serious, none of you are interested in, let me start the review with looks.

On the sub-urban backdrop

The Front Carrier

The Oxford blue NV LS

LOOKS

As we entered the showroom two NV LS both of different color, one red and one blue, were standing adjacent to each other amidst the crowd of other ‘NV’ and ‘Select’ models and boy they stood apart. While my heart straight away leapt for the red one my team member Amritansh went floating towards the blue one. I believe that color is one’s personal opinion so no debate over there. The design of the NV LS is basically the same as the NV but the eye catching color scheme, addition of carriers to the back as well as in front which were done up in chrome, clear lens indicators, multi reflector headlight, all chrome rear view mirror, front alloy wheel with a Disk, woaaaa!!!! Ahm..ahm..excuse me, helped it look refreshing and trendy. The NV LS has also got 3D decaling of its name on the front and on both of the rear panels. Even the glove box has got a tiny 4T decaling on it which looks classy.

NV LS 3-D decal on the side panel

Rear shot

The signature speedo, looks shabby but its informative

The 4T decaling on the glove box

The Multi reflector headlight looks good

Engine

The LML NV LS houses a 147.5 cc, forced air cooled, 2 valve with over head cam, 4 stroke engine which produces 8.84 Ps @ 6250 rpm and 11.3 Nm of torque at 4250 rpm which may not sound enough for a 150cc engine but if you see it from a scooter’s point of view it is very decent. The best part is when you press the electric starter( yes it comes with a electric start option) the engine cranks with a loud thump and starts to idle with a heavy base sound which gives you the feel of a bigger capacity engine. The exhaust note and the idling sound actually impressed both me and my coadjutor. I am pretty sure the harmony produced by the NV LS’s motor will please anyone who hears it.

The Traditional Gears

The 147.5cc Motor and notice the alloy kick lever

Performance

If you have forgot how a scooter used to make torque I would recommend you to go and take a test ride of the NV LS right away. As soon as I left the clutch the 11.3 Nm of torque greeted me warmly and the scooter picked up speed like a stallion. Though the first gear seemed a little too short but then again that’s the job of the 1st gear. The gear shift was the traditional’ one up and 3 down pattern. It seemed a little clunky at first but after a while of riding it became smooth, after a proper run-in it should work smooth enough. The engine was smooth right from the lowest to highest of revs( or so I presume as there was no tacho). Scooters were always known for their pick-up and drivability and this was no different. The scooter picked up very well from as low as 20 km/h on the 3rd gear and the roll-ons came quick without giving you the feeling that you are stuck in a limbo. This will help save a lot of fuel in the city for the commuters. My Comrade was able to touch a speedo indicated 80 km/h on a 300 meter stretch which he confessed came quick enough for a scooter and there was still some juice left. Given the road one may see the speedometer needle cross 90 thus justifying the manufacturer’s top speed claim of 90kmph.

As I said, the engine was pretty refined, the roll-ons were good and so was top speed. All in all the scooter will remind all men their youth and is sufficiently capable of giving the fun factor to today’s youth.

The NV LS sure is an eye catcher

Handling & Comfort

There is not much to say under the handling segment as scooters were never great handlers. Not that NV LS is a bad handler; it handles just as any other scooter. Everything will work fine with the handling just don’t go all ‘Rossi’ with it on a turn or on any bend. Apart from that the scooter was pretty stable at high speeds and bumps on road should no effect your control. The seat seemed comfortable, the suspension though seemed a little on the stiffer side. The ergonomics of the scooter makes you sit straight on the tall saddle of 820mm.

The 190mm Disc with the single piston caliper

Braking

With the inclusion of a 190 mm Front Disc the braking is better than a normal scooter with a drum brake. Still, the response from the disc was pretty mixed. The bite is not sharp neither progressive, it is kind of spongy, as I got very little feedback from the front suspension of the scooter so it’s a good thing as too much bite can be dangerous. The spongy feeling can also be because the scooter was pre-run in so it may get better after the first service. To sum it up, the 3.5 x 10 inch Ceat Secura coupled with the front disk and rear 110mm drum brake provided with good braking.

The stock scooter comes with the foot mat

The treads of the 3.5 x 10 inch Ceat Secura

Fuel Efficiency

LML claims an unbelievable 86kmpl out of the NV LS, though in real world conditions keeping in mind that it’s a scooter and its drivability, on its best it should at least give 55kmpl and on its worst it should at least give 46kmpl which is very good for a scooter.

The Fuel Cap on the left and the Fuel Gauge sensor on the right

The Exhaust of the NV LS

Rear Carrier

Features

The LML NV LS is still a dedicated commuter and a convenient Tourer. There’s enough room in the front glove compartment to keep your documents or a small grocery bag. Two medium size people can easily fit on the neat looking seat. The dash has a fuel gauge for your convenience. There is a side stand given for the first time on a scooter for utmost convenience, now no more working out on the center stand. The front and the rear carriers also are pretty functional and can come handy to a trip to the market.

The switch gear quality was also not up to the mark

The Master Cylinder of the front discs

The air intake is under the seat

The side stand is a practical inclusion

There is decent space in the front glove box

The LML NV LS is Bharat Stage III compliant

The front alloy wheel

Grainy shot

Verdict

Did the NV LS charm us with scooter magic or not?

Indeed it did, we got the feeling of the good old scooter days and the style of a modern scooter.

The NV LS comes at the price tag of Rs 62,332 ex-Showroom Allahabad. While the price may feel heavy for some prospective buyers but it is a high end scooter aimed at modern age scooter lovers and for people who are really into scooters, they would not like to miss this one.

Technical Specs

Displacement	147.5 cc
Valves	2
Max Power	8.84 PS @ 6250
Max Torque	11.3 Nm @ 4250
Bore	57.00
Stroke	57.8
Compression Ratio	9.5:1
Ignition system	CDI
Carburettor	KEIHIN PB18
Length	1760 mm
Width	695 mm
Wheelbase	1235 mm
Ground Clearence	160 mm
Seat Height	820 mm
Kerb Weight	116 KS
	120 ES
Fuel tank Capacity	5.5 L(Including 1L reserve)
Chassis	Pressed steel sheet and rear tubular Framed structure covered by sheet Metal shell assembly
Suspension	Front and rear suspension with Hydraulic dampers helical spring.
Brakes
Front	Optional disk/ drum
Rear	Drum
Tyres	3.5 x 10 inch Ceat Secura both front and rear
Gears	4
Electrials
Head Lamp	12V 35/35 Watt Halogen
Position Light	12V 5 Watt
Tail Light	12V 5 Watt
Stop Light	12V 21 Watt
Speedo light	12V 1.2 Watt x 2
Turn Signal light	12V 21 Watt
Tell Tale Lamp	12V 1.2 Watt x 4
Horn	12V DC Horn
Battery	9 Ah for electric start
Top Speed	90km/h

Thank you Note

Mr. Rajat Kesarwani - Manager at Jaypee Motors

We sincerely want to thank Mr Rajat Kesarwani Manager at Jaypee Motors for giving us our first road review. We would also like to recommend all the potential buyers for LML in Allahabad or nearby to checkout Jaypee Motors for their Professionalism, helpful attitude and the range of products. We hope that we continue this relationship with them in times to come.

Story & Photography by

Ankit Williams  &

Amritansh Mishra