KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Hero claims this to be quickest in the segment
- Top speed in excess of 105!
- Sporty design along with 14-inch alloy wheels
- Deliveries to start soon
India might be the largest two-wheeler market in the world, but the fact is that when it comes to affordable fun-to-ride scooters, options are just a handful. Under a lakh, the TVS Ntorq 125 has been the go-to option for the young at heart and now Hero Motocorp aims to join the same league with the (much) awaited Xoom 125. Before we start the ride review, make sure to join the 91wheels WhatsApp Community to keep up with the latest news and automotive updates.
Pros
- Quick and fast for a 125cc scooter
- Looks aggressive and has large street cred
- Gets most features that a user needs
- Top marks for ride & handling combination
- Hero's unbeatable network including workshops
Cons
- While ride is ok, it cannot be termed as plush
- Brakes don't match up with the performance
- High seating difficult for anyone who is under 5'7"
The Performance First
The Xoom 125 is quick, pretty quick. The engine is based on the Destini 125 but for this model, max power has been bumped up by 0.8 bhp and at a higher rpm. So yes, the engine revs higher and more freely. Do note that the Xoom 125 is more powerful that both the NTorq and the Suzuki Avenis. Peak torque stands at 10.4 Nm, which is same as the Destini. Before you ask, how is a big difference possible with just 0.8 bhp more - here is the answer. The transmission of this new model is adapted to 14/14 platform where the Destini 125 uses the 12/12 platform. Further, the engine is tuned for faster acceleration as compared to Destini 125's that tuned for efficiency mileage.
However, does the scooter feel peppy enough in real world conditions? The answer is a big YES! I haven't ridden a 125 scooter in months and even with my frame and weight, the Xoom 125 felt zippy and fun enough. I rode the scooter for a good 75km across various traffic conditions and the punch from the motor, specially till 65-75km/h was terrific for the price point.
Out on open roads, it does not feel out of breath even at 90-ish and given the road, will go on to hit 110 km/h, indicated. Do note though, the speedometer is very optimistic and as per our GPS device, had an error of about 10-12%. That said, it was fun keeping up with and overtaking faster moving cars on the Delhi - Gurgaon expressway in the early hours of the day.
Real world ride
Ofcourse none of us ride our machines with the throttle pinned to the max. If you are looking for a 'quick' machine during office or college commutes, the Xoom 125 delivers. But more than that its the smooth nature of the powerplant that impressed me. Hero for sure has worked wonders on the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) levels and kept them extremely low. Starting from standstill or gunning it at 100km/h, there are no unwanted vibs coming in from the handle bars or the floor. Kudos to the engineers for this. I also rode two up with Julian Singh (cameraperson) and the Xoom 125 had decent punch inspite of 170-180kg on board!
One shortcoming I and others witnessed were the brakes. The scooter wasn't brand new and yet both the front and rear brakes required more than the usual effort. They also lacked the 'bite' - for a scooter that can do triple digit speeds, braking could have been better.
Comfort vs Agility
When I rode the Xoom 110 two years back, I had one major grouse. Although a great 'sporty' machine, the ride was too stiff for my liking. Happy to report that this isn't the case here and the Xoom 125 is a liveable daily ride. Yes, along with sportier tuning of the engine, even the suspension is geared towards handling more than comfort but the set-up never feels uncomfortable. Our ride stint included city roads, Gurgaon expressway and narrow pot-hole infested roads and the Xoom 125 handled them all.
What I was impressed with more is the stability factor. More than the long wheelbase, it is the 14-inch wheel set up that makes the Xoom 125 a very confident high speed scooter. Likewise, changing lanes at speeds does not upset the dynamics and this will be a welcome trait among buyers. Do note though, the ride height is high and anyone who is 5'8" or shorter will not be able to put both feet flat on the road.
Looks good!
A sporty scooter should carry itself in a sporty way, right? The Xoom 125 looks big for a 125cc scooter and that down to various reasons. First, the large 14-inch alloy wheels. Next, the new age front design with aggressive looking LED DRLs and sporty headlamp design. The side panels are large and the rear big enough to make eyeballs turn. Other aesthetic add-ons include a petal front disc, LEDs all around, split tyre pillion grab rail and four shades to pick from - Blue, Red, Grey and Lime Green. You also get a stylish rim tap for both the alloys.
We did compare the Hero Xoom 125 with the TVS Ntorq 125 for a detailed review and side by side, the Hero offering wins as far as design is concerned. Do watch out for the detailed review coming soon
Bang for your buck?
The Hero Xoom 125 is offered in two versions of VX (Rs 86,900) and ZX (Rs 92,900) - prices being ex-showroom. The starting price is identical to that of the NTorq and about Rs 6,000 more than the new Destini 125. For the extra 6k over the VX variant, the ZX offers machined alloys, petal disc, turn-by-turn navigation, sequential indicators, front storage with USB port, illuminated start button and a boot lamp. The ZX also ensures you can pick from four color options as against only two with the VX.
Other features include a full digital console with functions of range, instantaneous fuel economy, average speed and more. You also get Hero's i3S tech and an external fuel filler cap. Hero has added a layer of safety with an audible chime that comes in if the scooter's ignition is turned on while the fuel cap is still open. The fuel tank capacity however is only 5 litres which means a fill up every 130-150km incase you are riding it hard!
Review Verdict
The Hero Xoom 125 may have arrived later than expected, but it proves to be well worth the wait IMO. With its striking design, engaging performance for a 125cc scooter, and a feature set that meets most buyers' expectations at this price point, its a compelling choice. While it has a few minor shortcomings, its sporty appeal more than makes up for them. If you're looking for a stylish and exciting ride, a visit to your nearest Hero Motocorp showroom is definitely worth it!
Verdict
Step in the right direction, the Xoom 125 offers a very good blend of performance, design and a value card. We love the peppy & smooth motor and you get ample features for the price. However, the high seat height might be a roadblock for some.
