Hero MotoCorp says that every third scooter sold in India is a 125 cc unit. Now there is no dearth of sporty 125 cc scooters in India. TVS, Aprilia, Piaggio, Yamaha and Suzuki, all these OEMs make nice, sporty 125 cc scooters and the Xoom 125 is the latest entrant in a highly competitive space. But does it have the performance and features to stand out and make a mark for itself in the segment? Well, we spent a Monday morning with the scooter to find answers and here's what we figured out.
Hero Xoom 125: Design & Ergonomics
There's no two ways about it, the Xoom 125 is one of the best-looking scooters right now. So, Hero says that the design is inspired from the Falcon, a bird of prey. While most of it may be marketing-speak, but the sharp, athletic design is definitely a massive selling point for the scooter. The predator-like front apron, the big chunky 14-inch tyres and the signature LED DRLs make for good presence on the road.
Like most scooters, the Xoom 125 gets upright seating with comfy ergonomics and a narrow handlebar that allows for quick manoeuvrability. There's decent space for the rider's feet on the footboard but tall riders may find the seating to be cramped. Two-up riding will be a decent experience too.
Hero Xoom 125: Features
Like the Xoom 110, Hero offers a long list of features on the Xoom 125. The highlight is the LED projector headlight and the sequential LED winkers, both of which are segment-first features. Then, there's a fully digital console, which we think is a tad too small and could have been bigger. Although the read-outs are crisp and clear and it gets Bluetooth connectivity along with turn-by-turn navigation.
You also get a charging port for your mobiles in the left cubbyhole on the inside of the front apron and the 17-lite underseat storage space can fit in a half-face or a small full-face helmet. The fuel tank can fill in 5 litres and like all Hero scooters, the Xoom 125 too gets the idle-start-stop system.
Hero Xoom 125: Specifications & Cycle Parts
The scooter gets a 124 cc air-cooled motor that makes 9.78 hp at 7,250 rpm along with peak torque output of 10.4 Nm at 6,000 rpm. Stopping power on the scooter comes from a 220 mm petal disc up front and a drum brake at the rear. The front end gets telescopic suspension and at the rear is an off-set monoshock.
Hero Xoom 125: Performance & Dynamics
Right! Talking about the performance, Hero claims this is the fastest scooter from standstill to 60 kmph, which it does in 7.6 seconds. We are yet to test that claim, but the scooter does feel peppy and eager, especially when you twist the throttle fully. The engine is refined and there is enough juice to make quick overtakes and keep you entertained on your commutes. The scooter feels light and nimble on its feet and filtering through traffic is easy enough.
The big, thick tyres offer decent grip and keep the scooter planted at high speed and even while cornering. The one gripe that we have is the fact that the ride quality is stiff and could have been a little more pliant. It isn't a deal-breaker but go over a patch of bad road and you will feel all the undulations on your spine.
Hero Xoom 125: Pricing & Rivals
The Hero Xoom 125 is offered in two variants - VX and ZX. The VX is priced at Rs. 86,900 while the ZX is priced at Rs. 92,900 (ex-showroom). The pricing is decent and is at par with the rest of its rivals like the TVS NTorq 125 and the Suzuki Avenis 125.
Hero Xoom 125: Verdict
The Hero Xoom 125 is a good value-for-money scooter and is great for young professionals and college-goers. It is easy to ride, looks really good and has a decent set of features. Not to mention, the fit and finish is good too. And to answer the question we asked at the beginning of the story, yes it does have the goods to take the fight to its rivals in the 125 cc sporty scooter segment. A 125 cc scooter comparison does seem to be a mouth-watering proposition now, doesn't it?
Photography: Rakesh Singh