The TGB Bullet 125 continues to be the surprise packet of the 125 class. The quality that the Taiwanese firm TGB continues to showcase is impressive to say the least.

We rode the Bullet when it first arrived in Australia. Fresh off the boat pimples and all, the TGB was tight but gave us an incite in what to expect in the near future. Well the time has arrived and with a few kilometres on the clock life just keeps getting better on a TGB Bullet 125.

Features

Firstly the colour scheme shouts boy racer. Not everyone's taste but one that readily suits the shapes and curves that make up the Bullet 125. Matching pin striped alloy wheels and bold stickers really do set the TGB apart from the rest of the 125 class.

The front forks tie in nicely with the front disc brake and red painted calliper. As we cast an eye over the front of the scooter its hard not to like the front headlamp arrangement, it really is progressive yet timeless. If looks do count then the TGB Bullet 125 is more then ready for action.

A digital dash arrangement with central analogue tachometer looks very neat and tidy. A dash doesn't need to be large and the Bullet's is compact yet informative with a clock as standard. Rear-view mirrors are carbon "look" and suit the racy appearance, they are certainly small and compact but they work.

Plenty of room under the seat for a helmet and surprisingly for a scooter in this class you will also find a 12 volt charger for your phone or MP3 player. The fuel filler is found under the seat also and as the seat is operated off the ignition this means that its just a turn of the key away.  The rear wing could be at home on any Porsche yet its practical being used to haul the Bullet on and off the centre stand, its rock solid. Fold out footpegs are easy to use and the passenger seat is wide and comfortable.

At the rear of the scooter we find braking performed by disc and this complements the front brake well. A single shock only resides on the rear but the spring rate feels pretty high and at no time did the scooter feel under sprung. And lastly at the rear the tail-light not only acts as an added in-your-face safety feature but its also why this scooter looks the goods from any angle.

The battery is found down low between the riders feet and whilst down at this level we also have the aluminium footboards looking too enhance the already sporty theme; Nice touch. The centre stand is complimented with a spring loaded side stand and this should probably be labelled "use at your own risk".

 

On the road

The Bullet comes with a solid "heavy" feel. Its hard to describe as a feature but it sure is reassuring. Products of European decent have always had this feeling standard but scooters manufactured in Taiwan are certainly catching up. Drop the TGB Bullet 125 off the centre stand, ride it down the road and you have that reassuring element of compliance that you feel immediately.

The seating position is high, comfortable and its an easy compact reach to the bars. You feel paper thin on this scooter and combined with the seat height this sure does give the feeling you could fit and negotiate your way through the narrowest of gaps. Commuting in and out of tight heavy traffic is the Bullet's forte. Cornering is also a breeze as the Bullet taunts you to get further over on the edges of the 12 inch rubber. Not before long your dialled in and hammering the Bullet 125 through corners quicker then you ever have. Its just that kind of scooter.

Power is sufficient for a scooter of this capacity and as the kilometres build on the odometer then so does the spirit of the engine. It sounds feisty also with an engine note that's been tuned to match the looks. Brakes are some of the best going around with a good feel from both the front and the rear being communicated back through the levers. 



Conclusion

The TGB Bullet was always going to score well on the road and in the feature stakes. The R50X or the Bullet 50 is such as competent scooter. The 125 cc Bullet with the same chassis is more of the same with some extra capacity for those extended higher speed commutes.

Short, sharp and compact you will always feel like you can get more out of the Bullet as the chassis is just so compliant, this analogy has always been used for the 50 cc version.

Hard to fault in any department you now cant even complain about the price as the Australian Importer has just revised it down to under $3000, $2990 + ORC to be exact. A ton of scooter in any language and now for under $3000. I keep saying we are spoilt!

If the Bullet is left wanting anywhere then its the self retractable side-stand, small yes but you've got to pick on something, right?

So really its just going to come down to that old styling debate, Is the TGB Bullet 125 my cup of tea? If you like your scooters to stand out in a crowd, look the goods with quality to match then it sure is a resounding yes.

published 8/03/2010