Hero Destini 125

The Hero Destini 125 is one of almost 40 petrol-powered scooters sold in India today. And though that might speak volumes about the choice the Indian scooter buyer has, most take the safe way out and buy either a Honda Activa, TVS Jupiter, or a Suzuki Access. These are incumbents in their respective categories that have proven difficult to displace.

Maybe the choice also speaks of the risk-averse nature of a typical Indian scooter buyer. Or perhaps the other options on the market just aren’t tempting enough to sway people away from the norm. After all, you have had newcomers like the TVS Ntorq and the Yamaha Ray ZR buck the trend and find a firm footing in this busy market space.

And now Hero MotoCorp has the same opportunity with the Destini. We say that because in the time we have had this 125cc scooter, the Destini hasn’t put a foot wrong.

Styling might be subjective, but most of the BikeWale team thought the Destini was a good-looking scooter. It looks large and unique and strikes a good balance between retro charm and modern elegance. It scores high on build quality as well. Be it the black plastic, painted panels, switchgear, or even the seat, grips, or the rear grab rail, almost everywhere you look or touch, the Destini seems well put together. Moreover, there is nothing about the scooter in terms of fit and finish or the materials used that says cheap or budget.

One of the highlights of the Destini - and there are a few - is the comfort it offers. The seating ergos, though not fantastic, are acceptable. There is enough distance between the seat and the floorboard for a five-foot eight-inch individual to feel comfortable. The seat-to-handlebar is well-judged too. And though the handlebar height could be a little higher, it’s not a nightmare where it is. The cushioning and support offered by the seat too is acceptable. This holds true for both short stints and longer jaunts.

But it is the ride quality of the scooter that impressed us more. It is not softly sprung like most scooters. As a result, when you ride it at 60kmph or higher - or with a pillion - the ride remains comfortable and flat. It can feel a bit firm at slower speeds as a result, but it is never jarring or bouncy. It is a well-balanced setup in our opinion. The only thing we would have liked better is lesser vibrations in the front end when going over a series of low amplitude, high-frequency bumps like plastic speed breakers, thickly painted rumble strips, or folds in the road caused by heavy vehicle braking.

The Destini is powered by a 9bhp, 124.6cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine. It makes 10.4Nm of torque. And it weighs 115kg. Compared to the aforementioned popular 125cc scooters - Access, Ntorq, and the Ray ZR - it is right up there in terms of power and torque. But, like the Ntorq, it is on the heavier side.

However, in the real world, the Destini feels peppy from the get-go. It has seamless CVT engagement, crisp but linear throttle response, and its power delivery - all the way to its indicated top speed of almost 95kmph - remains potent and uninterrupted. This makes it both easy and engaging to ride.

The engine impresses even in NVH terms. It remains smooth and refined all across the speed range. It is only when you close in on 90kmph that one can feel some vibrations. As an added plus, the scooter also sounds nice when you give it the beans.

Riding dynamics is yet another plus for the scooter. Whether you are filtering through traffic, taking on a flyover cloverleaf, or just going hell for leather with the throttle pinned, the Destini feels planted, sure-footed, and confident. Now, it runs 12-inch wheels front and back, and 115kg isn’t light by scooter standards. Plus, it has the longest wheelbase in its class to liberate more seating room. However, none of this seems to have affected its handling. It is more than happy to change directions at the drop of a hat. There’s a good feel from the front end and a strong grip from the tyres, which makes riding this scooter quickly and with a more sporty intent an engaging but relaxing affair.

Braking on the Destini, meanwhile, is just about acceptable. The front offers good progression but lacks bite. The rear drum too could do with more stopping power, and additionally, less fade.

Coming back to the engine and weight data, the Destini is one of the most powerful and torquey 125cc scooters. It is also among the heavier options in the space. But even so, it returned almost 55kmpl on our city run. We ran the scooter with the i3S on and got some long signals where the tech played a part. Plus, we rarely ever got to go over 60kmph. So, if you ride harder, this figure will most certainly drop.

On the features and technology front, the Destini does not impress. You get projector LED lighting with DRLs at the front and an LED tail lamp, but the indicators all around use traditional bulbs. You get a basic digital screen for instrumentation. And there is i3S, which is Hero speak for start-stop tech. Moreover, the underseat storage is average at best. It gets self-cancelling indicators and an illuminated starter button, nonetheless.

The incumbents in the scooter space are where they are for a reason. These are proven products, yes, but they also deliver on comfort, fuel efficiency, ease of riding, and practicality - aspects the Indian scooter buyer is looking for.

The Destini 125 checks a lot of these boxes as well, and better than some in the segment. It has the bases loaded in its favour, especially when you consider its significantly lower asking price. We would say buy it for its engine performance and smoothness, its comfortable ride and engaging handling, solid build quality, and of course, good fuel economy.

Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi