Hero Xoom 125R Road Test Review - The Ntorq 125 Killer?

Hero has been the Hero of the India two-wheeler market! But when it comes to scooters, it’s not a hero, in fact, far from being one. And this isn’t a recent issue for the brand as for over a decade it has struggled to make an impact in the scooter segment, while its arch rival, Honda, is the undisputed scooter king of our country with the Activa. However, Hero hasn’t thrown in the towel yet and recently launched the Xoom 125R. A sporty 125 cc scooter to take on the likes of the TVS Ntorq 125, Yamaha Ray ZR and the Suzuki Avenis. So is it up to the challenge? Let’s find out.

Styling & Features

Let’s start with styling as it’s among the highlights of the scooter. The Xoom 125R does justice to the sporty tag completely. Just look at it, all the body panels are edgy and sharp, making it look very distinct, especially in this bright yellow shade of our media unit. I also like the matte silver panel which gives the scooter a nice contrast. The same sharp styling continues to the rear as well and the split LED tail lights are cool and even the chunky exhaust muffler flows well with the overall design. The other element that gives the scooter a commanding stance are the 14-inch alloy wheels. So if you like attention, the Xoom 125R will ensure you get loads of it!

The Hero 125 cc scooter gets a new switchgear design, which does look different and the quality also feels solid. However, I don’t like the turn indicators and a conventional unit would have been better. The same issue is with the LCD instrument cluster, the screen size is small and it doesn’t come in the rider’s field of vision. It does display a lot of information, but the layout of the console is basic and it does stick out on an otherwise modern scooter, maybe Hero could have opted for a TFT screen to make it more premium.

Overall fit and finish is up to the mark as none of the panels rattled or squeaked during our road test. Talking about convenience, the underseat storage is good enough for a locally built full-face helmet and there’s a boot light as well. At the front you get twin cubby holes in which you can store some knick knacks. There’s also an USB charger, but it looks like an after thought honestly.

Performance

Hero claims that the Xoom 125R is the fastest accelerating scooter in its category. Now, that’s a tall claim and honestly, the acceleration didn’t feel as quick and snappy as the number claims to be. I am not saying that it’s a slow scooter, just that the zing or thrust is missing. What I really like though is the mid-range and top-end performance. It does accelerate strongly from 30 kmph, so overtaking in city traffic doesn’t need much calculation, open the throttle and it does the job beautifully.

What will really impress you is the top-end performance, the Xoom 125R does speeds above 80 kmph effortlessly and even at a speedo indicated 100 kmph, there were hardly any vibrations, so the refinement levels are top notch. And when you do those high speeds, the scooter feels rock solid and the 14-inch wheels play a key role in offering this stability. So if you have fast roads in your commute, the Xoom 125 is up to the task. And to ensure that the scooter is frugal, Hero has added a start-stop system, which works seamlessly and should help in extracting better fuel efficiency while riding in traffic. In our test runs, the Hero Xoom 125R’s mileage figures hovered between 40-45 kmpl, which honestly isn’t bad.

Ride, Handling & Braking

At 121 kg, the Xoom 125R is the heaviest scooter in its category, but it doesn’t feel its weight when on the move and especially when you’re cornering. The scooter is easy to steer and it feels very stable while cornering fast. The 14-inch wheels and grippy tyres mean that it sticks to its lines and you can actually have a lot of fun on this scooter. It scores highly with respect to agility as direction changes are swift and in city traffic you can squeeze through tight gaps in an effortless manner. So dynamically it’s sorted, but the brakes aren’t up to the mark.

You need to squeeze the front lever and the bite is missing, Hero needs to improve this. Being a sporty scooter and the 14-inch wheels mean that the Xoom doesn’t offer a plush ride quality. I am not saying the suspension is as bad as the Aprilia SR 160, but it does feel uncomfortable over broken roads and deep potholes, so you better take it slow and steady.

Verdict

The Xoom 125R is available in two variants (Xoom 125R VX - ₹86,900 and  Xoom 125R ZX - ₹92,900, both prices are ex-showroom) and my pick will be the top-end variant as you get a disc brake, better features and more colour options. Even when compared to its rivals, the pricing is very competitive and this is despite the fact that it’s running on 14-inch wheels, which none of its rivals offer. So who’s the target audience for the Xoom 125R? It’s a good option for someone looking for a sporty looking scooter, enjoys riding their scooter and doesn't want to spend a bomb.

I feel it will be popular among youngsters owing to the above mentioned factors and being a Hero product, maintenance cost will also be on the lower end. So should the TVS Ntorq 125, which has been a clear segment leader, be worried? And my answer will be yes, the Xoom 125R has been developed on the ethos of the Ntorq 125, which made it so popular, while amplifying the positives.

The other aspect is that the Ntorq has started to show its age and it needs a complete overhaul. The only concern for Hero MotoCorp is to ramp-up production as deliveries have been delayed and reliability in the long run remains questionable as the Xoom 125R is an all-new scooter. Having said that, if you’re in the market for a sporty 125 cc scooter, the Xoom 125R should definitely be considered.