2018 Hero Destini 125 vs rivals: Specifications comparison

How does Hero’s first 125cc scooter stack up against the Suzuki Access 125 and Honda Activa 125 on paper? We get you the answer.

Published On Oct 23, 2018 06:42:00 PM

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2018 Hero Destini 125 vs rivals: Specifications comparison

2018 has been quite the year for 125cc scooters. It started with sporty offerings in the form of the TVS Ntorq 125 and the Aprilia SR 125. Later, we got the maxi-scooter styled Suzuki Burgman Street and now Hero has jumped on the 125cc bandwagon with the Destini 125. The new scooter is Hero’s first attempt in the fast developing 125cc scooter space. According to Hero officials, sales for 125cc scooters will breach the 1 million mark this financial year and with the predicted growth, they had to enter the 125cc segment. The Destini 125 is positioned as a family scooter and like the brand’s commuter motorcycles, it targets the masses. It will compete with the 125cc segment leader, the Suzuki Access 125 and also the Honda Activa 125.

Feature talk

The Destini 125 is the first scooter in India to feature a start-stop tech. The i3S (idle-start-stop) tech is similar to the one seen on Hero’s commuter motorcycles. The rider has to press the rear brake and twist the throttle for the motor to restart. The start-stop tech will be more beneficial to urban users that encounter many traffic lights during their commute. A mobile charger and a boot lamp come as standard on the Destini 125 Vx variant. It’s also the only scooter in this comparison to feature an external fuel filler cap. The fuel filler cap and the saddle can be unlocked via the multi-function key slot, which is a useful feature.

The Honda Activa 125 is the only scooter in this trio to feature an LED headlight. It also features a multi-function key slot with a separate switch to open the seat. A mobile charger is an optional extra on the Activa 125 and the Suzuki Access 125. All three scooters are equipped with a semi-digital instrument console. Hero claims an under-seat storage space of 19 litres, the Access 125 has a 21.8 litres capacity, and while Honda hasn’t shared any figure, none of these can fit an international-spec full face helmet.

Engine and fuel efficiency

Powering the Destini is an air-cooled, single-cylinder motor rated at 8.7hp and 10.2Nm of peak torque. Power figures for the Suzuki Access 125 are also identical to the Destini 125 at 8.7hp and 10.2Nm of torque. The Activa 125 falls short in power output at 8.5hp, but the Honda offering has the better torque rating at 10.54Nm.

Talking about fuel efficiency, the Access 125 leads the charge with a claimed figure of 63kpl, followed by Honda at 54kpl and the Hero Destini coming last at 51kpl. The above figures are ARAI rated numbers and real world figures will be much lower, closer to the 50kpl mark.

Powertrain
	Hero Destini 125	Suzuki Access 125	Honda Activa 125
Engine	124.6cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled	124cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled	124.9cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled
Power	8.7hp at 6750rpm	8.7hp at 7000rpm	8.5hp at 6500rpm
Torque	10.2Nm at 5000rpm	10.2Nm at 5000rpm	10.54Nm at 5000rpm

Cycle parts and dimensions

All three scooters employ a telescopic front fork and a monoshock unit at the back to handle suspension duties. Braking hardware consists of drum brakes on the base variants of the trio. However, the Hero Destini 125 is the only 125cc scooter on sale to not offer a disc brake, even as an option. CBS (combined braking system) is an option only on the Suzuki Access 125. The Hero offering is the heaviest at 111.5kg, while the Activa 125 follows at 108kg (disc brake variant) and the Access 125 is the lightest by quite a margin at 101kg. Talking about seat height, the Honda is the lowest at 765mm, while the Destini 125 is the tallest at 778mm. The Access 125 slots in between at 773mm. While all three scooters feature tubeless tyres, the Hero Destini sports 10-inch alloy wheels at the front, while its Japanese competitors run on 12-inch front wheels.

Dimensions
	Hero Destini 125	Suzuki Access 125	Honda Activa 125
Kerb weight	111.5kg	101kg	108kg
Seat height	778mm	773mm	765mm
Wheelbase	1245mm	1265mm	1260mm
Fuel tank capacity	NA	5.6 litres	5.3 litres
Ground clearance	155mm	160mm	155mm

Cycle parts
	Hero Destini 125	Suzuki Access 125	Honda Activa 125
Front suspension	Telescopic fork	Telescopic fork	Telescopic fork
Rear suspension	Monoshock	Monoshock	Monoshock
Front brake	Drum	Drum/Disc	Drum/Disc
Rear brake	Drum	Drum	Drum
Front tyre	90/100-10	90/90-12	90/90-12
Rear tyre	90/100-10	90/100-10	90/100-10

Pricing

The USP of the Hero Destini 125 is its pricing. The base Lx variant has been priced at Rs 54,650, which makes it the most affordable 125cc scooter on sale in India. The Destini 125 Vx variant retails for Rs 57,500 and gets additional features such as dual-tone seats, a mobile charger, an LED boot lamp and alloy wheels. Prices for the Access 125 start at Rs 55,666 for the base trim, while the top variant carries a price tag of Rs 59,325. The Activa 125 is the most expensive scooter in this comparison, as the base variant is priced at Rs 59,921 and the disc brake variant retails for Rs 64,307.

Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)
	Hero Destini 125	Suzuki Access 125	Honda Activa 125
Base variant	Rs 54,650 (Lx variant)	Rs 55,666 (drum)	Rs 59,921 (drum)
Mid variant	NA	Rs 58,350 (disc)	Rs 61,858 (drum alloy)
Top variant	Rs 57,500 (Vx variant)	Rs 59,325 (disc with CBS)	Rs 64,307 (disc brake)