Introduced in 2018, the Hero Destini has always aimed to compete with established players like the Honda Activa and TVS Jupiter. The updated Destini 125 is a radical departure from its previous iteration, promising to inject a new lease of life into the brand. So, after six years on the market, does the new 2024 Destini 125 have what it takes to take down the segment leaders? We head to Goa to find out.
Hero Destini 125 Xtec First Ride Review: Design and Dimensions
The biggest change in the new Destini 125 Xtec is its design. Hero's goal was to modernise the scooter, and the new model's styling reflects that vision. At the front, there is a two-tier light setup with the H-pattern LED DRLs and projector headlamps housed in a trapezoidal cluster, with halogen indicators positioned below.
One of the key highlights of its design is the generous use of chrome from front to back. While the base VX and ZX variants get standard chrome, the top-end versions feature copper chrome elements. The side profile is rather understated, but the rear profile might spark mixed opinions. It features a similar two-tier structure with LED tail lights and halogen indicators, but the design is a lot more prominent. Overall, I think that the design has been improved, but it may take some time to grow on you. While the new Jupiter immediately impresses with its looks, the Destini is more likely to be an acquired taste.
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However, it's not just the styling that has improved; the new Destini has also grown in size. It now has a wheelbase of 1,302mm, which is longer than the outgoing model by 57mm. Furthermore, it has replaced the 90-section front/rear tyre and 10-inch alloy wheel setup with a 100-section rear tyre and 12-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. This has also increased the ground clearance by 7mm, bringing it to a total of 162mm.
Hero Destini 125 Xtec First Ride Review: Ergonomics, Features and Practicality
Another area of improvement is the scooter's ergonomics. Thanks to the increased wheelbase, the seat is now longer at 785mm. This allows the rider to sit closer to the front wheel, adding to the scooter's overall performance. This also allows for a more upright riding position, which together with a stiffer seat, ensures comfort during long rides. While the ground clearance has increased by 7mm, the seat height has decreased by 8mm to 770mm. As someone who is not particularly tall, I appreciate the lower seating position compared to the previous model and find the overall riding posture quite comfortable.
Another key area of improvement is the features on offer. You now get a new digital infotainment system but with a negative LCD display. While the information is well organised, our tests revealed that the display can be difficult to read under direct sunlight due to glare. However, it does feature mobile connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation features. With the new cluster, you also get a new, and rather good-looking, switchgear panel on both sides. You now ALSO get auto-cancel indicators and an illuminated start-stop switch. Additionally, the Destini continues to feature a USB charging port, too.
In terms of practicality, the new Destini 125 Xtec features a 19-litre under-seat storage, but it's only large enough to accommodate a half-face helmet. In fact, during our test, I stored a small day pack, and there was hardly any space left. I think it's a bit of a letdown, especially given the space offered by its competitors.
An interesting practical update is the repositioned 2-litre water bottle holder, now conveniently located right below the USB port, which was previously under the seat. While the general storage is adequate, I found the footwell area slightly cramped. My 10.5-size feet fit just right, with no extra space for luggage when using the provided hook.
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Hero Destini 125 Xtec First Ride Review: Performance and Handling
Before diving into its performance, let's cover the mechanical specs. The Destini 125 Xtec is powered by a 125cc single-cylinder air-cooled fuel-injected engine, which produces 9bhp and 10.4Nm of peak torque. In terms of performance, the highlight of the Destini is its usability in the city. The scooter gets off the line in a calm manner but reveals its true potential only beyond the 2,000 – 3000rpm mark, before tapering off again in the upper half of the rev band.
While it's not exceptional in terms of performance, you will never have any complaints on a day-to-day basis. It has enough pulling power, which becomes evident when you twist the throttle. It may not thrill you in the traditional sense, but it has enough power to overtake slow and medium-speed vehicles.
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As for mileage, Hero claims 59km/l, but during our tests in Goa – which involved a mix of small and large roads – the scooter didn't lose even a bar even after an entire day of shooting. My only gripe is that the start-stop system is a bit too eager and switches off the vehicle even before coming to a full halt.
In terms of handling, the Hero Destini offers a familiar but improved experience. It feels light and agile, making it well-suited for everyday use. Moreover, the increase in alloy wheel size and tyre dimensions has positively impacted handling, comfort, and stability. Thanks to the 12-inch alloys, the Destini seems a tad more sure-footed while attacking corners, and while the outgoing model struggled on bad roads, the 2024 model smooths out road imperfections to a noticeable degree. The larger wheelbase and wider tyres enhance stability and predictability at higher speeds. Overall, the Destini seems to be well-engineered to handle various road conditions effectively.
Hero Destini 125 Xtec First Ride Review: Verdict
With the launch of the new TVS Jupiter and the ever-present competition from the Honda Activa, updates to the Destini were certainly expected. The question now is whether Hero has done enough to make the 2024 Destini Xtec stand out from the competition. Well, I'm afraid not. However, that's not to say that it doesn't have what it takes to stand toe-to-toe with them. The scooter has a bold new design, ample features, practicality to match its competitors, and enough performance to ensure smooth everyday usability. That said, a comprehensive long-term evaluation will be necessary to determine which scooter is the best in the 110-125cc scooter segment.
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