The 125cc scooter segment in India is booming, with nearly half of all scooters sold last year falling into this category. Hero MotoCorp, already present in the commuter segment with the Destini 125, has now expanded its sporty lineup with the all-new Xoom 125. Launched at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo, the scooter starts at Rs 86,900, ex-showroom. We took it for a spin in Delhi and here are our first impressions.
Hero Xoom 125: Design and build
Hero MotoCorp claims that when its design team put pen to paper for the Xoom 125, they had one creature in mind: the falcon. Sleek, sharp, and built for speed. At first glance, the Hero Xoom 125 definitely stands out with its sharp and aggressive looks. Up front, the dual-tone apron houses sleek LED DRLs along with a segment-first projector headlamp. Moving to the sides, silver plastic panels stretch across the body, including a muscular front featuring sporty ‘125’ graphics.
The rear design is equally aggressive, featuring a split LED taillight and a dual-piece grab rail. However, the highlight here is the sequential turn indicators; a first in the 125cc scooter segment. Besides that, the scooter is offered in four vibrant colour options, including yellow, red, blue, and matte gray, to add to its sporty appeal. Among these, yellow was our favourite.
Speaking of build quality, it is mostly solid, with well-fitted panels and sturdy switchgear. However, certain areas, such as the lower front apron and side rear panels, feel a bit flimsy compared to the Destini 125. That said, the scooter’s overall road presence is impressive, drawing plenty of attention during our test ride.
Hero Xoom 125: Comfort and ergonomics
Despite its sportier design, the seating position of the Xoom 125, is fairly upright and comfortable. However, the legroom feels a bit compact initially but you will get used to it after spending some time with the scooter. As for the seat, it is well-padded and spacious enough.
The handlebars are positioned for a natural reach, and the turning radius is small. However, taller riders might find the handlebars brushing against their thighs at sharp turns. Besides that, the seat height is accommodating and will allow riders of various builds to comfortably plant their feet at traffic signals.
Hero Xoom 125: Features and practicality
The Xoom 125 offers just the right features for its price. It gets a digital LCD cluster with Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation, which remains visible even under direct sunlight. Hero’s i3S tech shuts off the engine at stoplights, restarting with a brake squeeze and throttle twist. Convenience features include an illuminated start switch, boot light, remote fuel lid opening, front cubbies, and a USB charger. Simple yet effective for daily commutes.
Hero Xoom 125: Performance and handling
Now moving to the most important bit, the engine. Before we speak about the performance, let’s get the engine specs out of the way. The Hero Xoom 125 employs the same 124.6cc, air-cooled motor that does its duties on the Destini 125, albeit with a different state of tune. The power output has bumped marginally at 9.8 bhp while the torque remains the same at 10.4 Nm.
Hero has done a great job with engine refinement. The scooter feels smooth, with only mild vibrations at the floorboard during idle and initial revs. Even at higher speeds, vibrations remain minimal. The throttle response is crisp, and the engine is responsive without feeling overly aggressive. The model is quick off the line and doesn’t complain when pushed hard on open stretches.
Hero Xoom 125: Ride quality and braking
One of the key highlights of the Xoom 125 is its 14-inch wheels. The scooter provides excellent stability, especially on uneven roads. While it’s not as flickable as the Destini 125, it still makes you feel confident while overtaking maneuvers.
As for suspension, the telescopic front suspension and offset monoshock at the rear do a decent job of absorbing bumps. However, on rough patches, the impact is noticeable, though not harsh. That said, the suspension setup is well-tuned for an everyday, sporty scooter.
Braking is handled by a front disc and rear drum setup, which again, offers confident-inspiring stopping power, though the rear brake could do with more initial bite. Moreover, the brakes feel progressive, but the absence of a CBS on the top ZX variant, in our opinion, is a miss.
Hero Xoom 125: Verdict
Hero says that it positions the Xoom 110 for college students and the Xoom 125 for young professionals. That said, the Xoom 125 offers a good balance of everything you’d need for daily commutes: stylish design, a comfortable ride, decent performance, and easy handling, all at an affordable price. If you’re looking for a sporty scooter that checks all the right boxes, the Xoom 125 is worth considering.