
Hero Destini 125 Visual
A first look at the Hero MotoCorp Destini 125 would remind you of the Honda Activa 125 but comparing both models side-by-side reveals how that isn’t the case. The Destini 125 is available in two variants – LX (base) and VX (premium). The base version comes with steel wheels and misses chrome garnishing over various panels. The VX variant that came to our garage for the weekend, on the other hand, was equipped with alloy wheels, chrome-treated ornamentation on the apron and on the sides, and the under seat USB charger. The fascia features a dual-tone finish for the panel around the headlight. The part above the light gets a black finish while the rest gets body colour. The apron gets faux air-scoops under the front number plate mount. The front chrome embellishment adds a premium touch to the visuals, and the design merges neatly into the apron-mounted blinkers, making the elements appear as if they were a single piece. The front also reveals body coloured housing for the rear-view mirrors.
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The body panels get chrome adornment along with a 3D Destini 125 logo that adds a premium look to the package. The VX variant also gets a dual-tone design for the saddle. The honeycomb pattern on the sides and the rear give the seat a very appealing look. The silver coloured pillion grab rail adds a contrast to the looks while offering a decent amount of space for the passenger to hold the scooter. A similar shade of silver is used for the exhaust heat shield. The pillion footrest, when closed, runs flush with the footboard, giving a cleaner look to the Destini 125.
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The full-metallic body adds a premium feel to the scooter, but it also adds to the weight. The kerb weight of the Destin 125 is 111.5 kg, which is higher than the Suzuki Access 125 (101 kg) and Honda Activa 125 (108 kg). The scooter can be purchased in the following colour options:- Nobel Red
- Chestnut Brown
- Pearl Silver White
- Panther Black

Engine Performance and Braking
The Hero Destini 125 packs marginally higher power than its rivals. The 124.6 cc air-cooled engine delivers 8.7 bhp of max power at 6,750 rpm and 10.2 Nm of peak torque at 5,000 revs. In comparison, the Access makes 8.6 bhp, and Activa 125 generates 8.5 bhp. However, as mentioned above, the Destini has a heavier kerb weight than its rivals. The acceleration from a standstill to 60 kph feels peppy, and at par with the competition. The speedometer continues to climb efficiently until 80 kph mark, after which the acceleration mellows down. We could see speeds of up to 90 kph on the highway. The scooter can cruise on speeds of 70 kph with minimum efforts and feels comfortable around that mark. The refinement levels are neat until 60 kph, post which some vibrations become evident from the footboard. The Destini 125 also benefits from Hero MotoCorp’s proprietary i3S tech – a first in the brand’s scooter portfolio. The fuel economy enhancing system turns off the engine if the scooter has come to a standstill for more than five seconds. To restart, the rider has to press the brake lever and twist the throttle. The Destini 125 has an ARAI certified fuel economy of 51.5 kmpl. In real life, rough calculations revealed a combined (city and highway) economy of around 44-46 kpl. Braking department is satisfactory, but the lack of disc brake (even as an option) was disappointing. In contrast, the Access 125 and Activa 125 come with the choice of a disc brake. The feedback from the drum units, combined with the Integrated Braking System – Hero MotoCorp’s nomenclature for Combi-Braking System – was satisfactory but nothing to write home about.
Ride and Handling
Hydraulic telescopic front forks and single spring at the rear handle the shock absorbing tasks on the Hero Destini 125. The setup that offers a decent amount of comfort. However, while the ride quality is comfortable, we wouldn’t call it plush, and you would feel the pronounced undulations on the go. That said, the minor wrinkles on the tarmac are efficiently filtered out. The comfort department is improved by the well-padded seat that makes up for the slightly stiff rear suspension. Surprisingly, the scooter scraped its underbody over a couple of normal-sized speed bumps even without a pillion.Also read: KTM RC 125 ABS - First Ride Review
In terms of handling, the scooter feels agile to filter through city traffic. It also feels planted on highway cruising speeds and scores more points in the department. There is sufficient legroom too, and even with a pillion on board, there was enough space to rest my legs without hitting the keyhole with the knee. For reference, I am 5 feet 9-inches tall and I had no complaints in the legroom department. The saddle is large and well padded to accommodate two adults comfortably. The pillion footrest, as said in the design part of the review, runs flush with the footboard when closed, and offers a clean look to the visuals.
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Hero Destini 125 Review - Verdict
The Hero Destini 125 has an uphill task to compete against the segment leader, the Suzuki Access 125 and the absence of a disc brake, heavier kerb weight and a relatively smaller under seat storage does not help its case. What does work for the scooter though are the price tag and the features that it offers for the money. The vehicle is also backed by Hero MotoCorp’s extensive sales and service network that’s spread across the metro cities along with tier-II and tier-III towns. Check out how the scooter fares against its rivals in terms of specifications and prices in the table below.Model | Hero Destini 125 | Suzuki Access 125 | Honda Activa 125 |
Power (bhp) | 8.7 | 8.6 | 85 |
Torque (Nm) | 10.2 | 10.2 | 10.5 |
Kerb Weight (kg) | 111.5 | 101 | 108 |
Under Seat Space (litre) | 19 | 21.8 | NA |
Price (Ex-showroom Delhi)
Hero Destini 125
- Drum Brake Sheet Metal Wheel – LX: INR 54,650
- Drum Brake Alloy Wheel – VX: INR 57,500
Suzuki Access 125
- Drum Brake Variant: INR 55,977
- Disc Brake Variant: INR 58,350
- Disc Brake Variant with CBS: INR 59,636
Suzuki Access 125 SE
- All Colour Variant Disc Brake: INR 60,046
- All Colour Variant Disc Brake with CBS: INR 61,235
Honda Activa 125
- Drum Brake Steel Wheels: INR 59,921
- Drum Brake Alloy Wheels: INR 61,858
- Disc Brake Alloy Wheels: INR 64,307