The Hero Xoom 125 is Hero MotoCorp’s sporty 125cc scooter comes packed with features, but is it enough?
Hero MotoCorp has been really aggressive in recent times when it comes to entering new product segments, be it motorcycles or scooters. The fruits of their investment in their Jaipur-based R&D centre, the Hero Global Centre of Innovation and Technology (commonly referred to as CIT), started showing a few years back and have been doing pretty well in the market. The latest to join the line of these new-generation products from Hero is the Xoom 125, which enters the fast-growing sporty 125cc scooter segment that has potent competitors like the Aprilia SR125 and the segment leader—TVS NTorq, not to mention the Honda Dio 125, Suzuki Avenis and the Yamaha RayZR.
The Xoom 125 carries a new-generation design philosophy, looks sharp and is loaded with features. But does all of this make it potent enough to get ahead of the competition? Let’s find out.
The Hero Xoom 125 adopts a new design philosophy and is said to be inspired by a falcon. It is the first in the series of a new range of products which broke cover in the EICMA 2024. It looks strikingly different from its sibling, the Xoom 110, yet carries a sense of resemblance. The front has a two-tone design aesthetic, which makes for a masculine and chiselled fascia where the headlamp is slotted just beneath the main front panel. It is a large single-piece LED unit divided into three parts, where the centre is a projector lamp setup which serves as the low beam, while the sections on the left and right work in tandem for the high beam; thisis shrouded by long stripes of positioning lamps on either side, which looks good and, according to Hero, resembles the face of a falcon. The handlebar cowl also has the two-tone design and also houses sequential LED indicators, which is a segment first.
It is the side profile of the Hero Xoom 125 that resembles the smaller Xoom 110 in terms of looks, as it carries a nice play of sharp lines and creases travelling front to back, and paired with dual-colour panels, makes for striking look. The changes have not been limited to the front and sides though, as the rear is new as well, with two small pieces of tail lamps on either side with a split-type grab rail positioned above them. Hero has also placed the fuel lid externally that was missing from the Xoom 110 and is a very useful add-on. The use of sharp lines and new design elements makes the Hero Xoom 125 look sharp, sporty and larger than it actually is.
In terms of features, Hero Xoom 125 gets some useful add-ons. The new projector LED headlamp offers a nice spread of beam. The segment-first sequential indicators might be just a gimmick, but it manages to look nice. It also gets a digital speedometer with Bluetooth connectivity that enables it to get call and SMS notifications and also turn-by-turn navigation. Hero has also adopted a new design for switchgear where the start button is illuminated, however, I don’t understand why just the start button and not the whole switchgear?
The glovebox is split into two pockets which should be able to hold a one-litre water bottle, it also gets a USB Type-A charging socket in the form of a wired extension which actually looks like a design afterthought. It gets 17 litres of underseat storage, which can easily hold a normal full-face helmet and also has a nifty little boot light, which could be of great help when looking for one’s stuff in the dark. The Hero Xoom 125 also gets an external fuel lid which also has an lid open warning buzzer.
The 125cc motor on the Hero Xoom 125 is the same unit as on the Destini 125 but has been retuned for more power. Although Hero hasn’t claimed any efficiency figures, we were able to get around 46kmpl during our runs in Delhi traffic. Just like the Destini, the Xoom also doesn’t have a starter generator which seems to be a standard on scooters these days. Hero’s start-stop system, i3s, is also present and remains unchanged in terms of application. The Xoom feels refined and peppy, and though there are some vibrations on the footboard when at idle, it disappears once you’re on the move.
The Hero Xoom 125 has been built on a completely new platform and feels confident and comfortable on roads. It gets 14-inch wheels, and the larger wheels contribute big time when it comes to ride quality and stability. The front forks and rear side-mounted monoshock add to the ride quality. It feels stable on straights and confident around the corners. However, it isn’t very flickable courtesy of the long 1327mm wheelbase. The seat on the Xoom 125 is spacious and can accommodate two in relative comfort, although I had to shift towards the rear a bit as the handlebar touched my knees while taking tight turns, an issue that was present in the Xoom 110 as well. Braking is another strong point of the Hero Xoom 125, as the 220mm front disc and rear drum combi braking system provides decent stopping ability, although I would have appreciated a bit more bite at the front.
The Hero Xoom 125, with its combination of handling, ride quality and engine refinement comes up as an impressive overall package and with a starting ex-showroom price of ₹ 87,000, it offers a very competitive stand. The Hero Xoom 125, in every way, is a strong contender in the sporty 125cc scooter segment and carries all the bells and whistles to challenge the established players.
