Hero MotoCorp has updated its scooter line-up by launching the Maestro Edge 125 in India. Positioned above the Destini 125, this new offering gets a more youthful design, a longer feature list and an option of a fuel-injected engine. In its segment, the Maestro Edge 125 competes against the Honda Activa 125 and the Suzuki Access 125. We check out how the three scooters fare against each other on paper.
Design and Features:
The Hero Maestro Edge 125 retains the design from its 110cc sibling. The scooter carries a bold styling with a large headlamp section along with an edgy front apron and rear panels. While it sports a conventional headlamp, it does get LED DRLs and LED tail lamp. Other features include external fuel filler cap, mobile charging port, boot lamp and remote key opening for the under seat storage. Moreover, it also features a semi-analogue instrument cluster which consists of service due reminder along with other basic information. Now, the Maestro Edge comes with a total of seven colour options; Pearl White and Panther Black for the fuel-injected variant along with matt blue, matt red, matte brown and matt Vernier grey for the carbureted model.
Unlike the Maestro’s modern design language, the Suzuki Access 125 follows a retro design theme. It sports a more rounded profile which is accompanied by chrome-finished headlamp bezel, mirrors and exhaust cover. On the feature front, while it does get a semi-analogue instrument cluster and mobile charging port, it misses out on the LED DRL, LED tail lamp and the external fuel filler cap. The colour options available for the Access 125 include glass sparkle black, candy Sonoma red, pearl deep blue, pearl mirage white, metallic fibroin red, white and metallic iconic silver.
Moving on the Honda Activa 125, it boasts of a simple design which is majorly similar to its highly-popular 110cc sibling. Feature-wise, the Honda might not be as feature-loaded as the Maestro Edge 125 but it features a full-LED headlamp, something the other two miss out on. Moreover, the semi-digital instrument cluster and 12V charging socket are also present but it lacks the external fuel filler cap. Honda offers the Activa 125 in six colour options – rebel red metallic, midnight blue metallic, pearl amazing white, black, matte crust metallic and matte Selene silver metallic.
Engine:
Starting with the newest entrant, the Maestro Edge 125 is powered by a 124.6cc motor borrowed from the Destini 125. Hero has launched the scooter in two variants, fuel-injected and carbureted trims. While the former churns out 9.1bhp at 7000rpm, the latter produces 8.7bhp at 6750rpm. The peak torque output remains the same at 10.2Nm at 5000rpm, for both the models. Notably, the Maestro Edge 125 is the first scooter in India to be offered with fuel-injected technology.
The Honda Activa and the Suzuki Access 125 generate similar amount of power from their 125cc motors. While the former makes 8.5bhp and 10.5Nm, the latter produces 8.4bhp and 10.2Nm. However, the Suzuki’s lesser kerb weight of 102kg (Activa weighs 111kg) aids in quicker acceleration. Meanwhile, the Maestro Edge 125 carries a kerb weight of 110kg.
Cycle parts:
All the scooters ride on 12-inch front and 10-inch rear wheels which are suspended on telescopic forks at the front and spring loaded hydraulic shock absorber at the rear. In terms of braking, one can either opt for drum brakes at both ends or a disc brake at the front. While the Maestro Edge 125 and the Activa 125 get a 190mm front disc, the Access 125 gets a smaller 120mm unit. The braking setup for all three scooters is assisted by combined braking system – it applies front and rear brakes simultaneously after applying only the rear brakes.
Pricing:
Starting with the most expensive offering of the lot, the Honda Activa 125 starts at Rs 60,440 (drum brake) and goes up to Rs 64,825 (front disc model). Next up is the Maestro Edge 125 which offers a slightly longer list of features and trendier design. However, it is more affordable with the prices ranging from Rs 58,500 (drum brake, carburetor), Rs 60,000 (disc brake, carburetor) to Rs 62,700 for the top-spec fuel-injected trim. While the Suzuki Access 125 offers decent amount of features, efficient engine and weighs the least, it is the most affordable at Rs 57,219 (drum brakes) and Rs 59,996 (front disc brake).
