It has been six years since the Hero Destini 125 was launched. The 125cc scooter has had a successful run mainly due to its USP of offering the performance and features of a 125cc scooter with the fuel efficiency and price of a 110cc scooter. The Destini 125 now gets a generational update that, besides the refreshed bodywork adds new features as well. The big question though is – does it still retain the USP of its predecessor or even offer more value? Let’s find out.
One of the biggest updates is the styling. The new Destini 125 takes a new design direction – it goes the retro way and it does it well. The bodywork now features flowing lines and a lot of premium design elements. The 125cc scooter now flaunts a new LED headlamp and tail lamp with the new H-type DRL that has sort of become a Hero design signature. We especially like the copper-hued chrome trim though it is only available in the top variant. There are a lot of cool touches like the intricately crafted footpegs and the Destini logo under the seat. If we were to nitpick we’d say the rear turn indicators mounted on a separate deck are an acquired taste and disrupt the smooth flowing lines of the scooter.
The design is functional too. The scooter gets a large floorboard beside a 770mm tall seat which Hero claims is its longest yet. The pillion backrest is a nice touch and quite comfortable to use. It continues to get an external fuel filler flap though you still have to manually unscrew the fuel cap underneath to access the 5.3 litre fuel tank. Quality levels are quite good too and the new switchgear is well designed and offers a tactile operation. Overall the new Destini 125 looks larger and more premium than before.
In terms of features, the Destini 125 seems to play it safe. It does bring in some useful features like the LED projector lamp that offers a focussed beam and the first-in-segment auto-cancelling turn indicators. It gets a digital instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation. A cool safety feature is the bank angle sensor that detects extreme lean angles in case of a fall and cuts off the engine.
The powertrain has been updated as well. The 125cc motor continues to offer 9.1PS and 10.4Nm though fuel efficiency has improved. Hero claims the Destini 125 offers a best-in-class fuel efficiency of 59kmpl. Surprisingly, the updated powertrain still does not get a stater generator starting system which is a big miss given that it has become more of a norm in the 125cc scooter segment as well as the 110cc scooter segment. It does continue to sport i3S start-stop technology which helps maximise fuel efficiency. The scooter though impresses with its refinement and peppy performance, especially in the narrow streets of Goa. It offers ample grunt to get past slow-moving traffic and sounds nice while doing it as well.
The Destini 125 sits on an all-new platform and now features 12-inch wheels at both ends. These are an important upgrade, replacing the 10-inch ones on its predecessor. That and the longer wheelbase give the scooter a higher degree of stability while the sharpener rake ensures it does not compromise on agility. The Destini 125 still remains a fun scooter to ride. The ride quality is quite good as well, it tackles potholed roads well and ensures the shock from the road imperfections does not reach the rider. In terms of braking, it gets a 190mm front disc brake with ByBre calipers and a rear drum. While the brakes offer a good bit, it does call for more effort on the levers. Overall, the Destini 125 carries on its predecessor’s USP of offering a balanced ride.
The Hero Destini impressed with its styling and road manners while it could do better in terms of features and engine technology, a move we suspect, taken to keep costs in check. Hero has yet to reveal prices for the Destini 125 but we expect it to cost around Rs 75,000 ex-showroom given Hero’s penchant to offer 125cc scooter attributes at 110cc scooter prices. The new Hero Destini 125 comes across as a more evolved, more premium scooter that makes its own niche in a growing segment of 125cc scooters.
