Hero Maestro Edge, Duet review, first ride

A test ride confirms Hero has hit the bulls-eye with their first completely in-house developed scooters.

Published on Sep 30, 2015 06:37:00 PM

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Hero Maestro Edge, Duet review, first ride

New engines, familiar refinement

Both scooters share a new, four-stroke, air-cooled engine platform that’s in-house Hero developed. Button-started, it’s a 110.9cc, CVT transmission equipped powerplant that outputs 8.31bhp at 8,000rpm, with peak torque 0.85kgm, these figures echoing the industry standard. As expected, the Maestro Edge and Duet are carburettor-fed, and conveniently button started.

The Maestro Edge and Duet engines show Hero hasn’t lost out in any way on refinement, despite parting with Honda technology. There’s nothing lacking on the Maestro Edge, or Duet, in terms of engine smoothness, or performance.

Light action throttles deliver responsive acceleration the instant you get away from a standing start, with smooth, peppy enough acceleration available at the wrist and a vibe free nature accompanied by pleasantly soft exhaust notes. The CVT systems are well-tuned, with both the Maestro Edge and Duet effortlessly capable of cruising speeds in the region of 65kph. While we didn’t have the opportunity to test this, Hero claims top speeds of 85kph, which seem easily attainable.

Comfort-able

To sit on, the Maestro Edge and Duet are comfortable with upright riding positions on well-padded, nicely shaped seats. There’s telescopic front suspension on both, and 10 inch rims, the Maestro Edge deploying a 12 incher in front for easier maneuverability. At the rear, both scooters use their engines as swingarms, linked to a monoshock.

Handling is nice and light, scooter typical, with the Maestro Edge and Duet going round corners confidently. Likewise, the suspension works well, offering good ride quality when passing over all surfaces, without excessive bounce or firmness.

The Maestro Edge and Duet come with MRF tyres, these offering confidence inspiring grip throughout our test ride. Hero’s also offering the added safety of combined braking with both scooters, and this worked well, intervening to automatically dial in some extra front brake force, when pressing only the rear brake lever. The brakes themselves are drums, front and rear, and work with reassuring feel at the levers.

A heroes welcome

Although we’d have liked to see the Maestro Edge roll the extra mile, to offer a more potent—perhaps 125cc engine—and perhaps a front disc brake as well to take on Honda’s Activa 125, it’s clear Hero MotoCorp means serious business and has hit a sweet-spot with their first, totally ‘make-in-India’ qualified scoots.

Both nice looking, top-quality and practical scooters check all boxes, and come with the bonus of generous equipment for their class. While the Duet is some months from reaching dealerships, Hero MotoCorp will have the Maestro Edge on sale from October 13, in two variants, a more basic LX well priced at Rs 49,500 and the full spec VX for Rs 50,700 (both prices ex-showroom, Delhi).

A no-compromise, thoroughly engineered approach coupled with Hero’s extensive know how of this market shows through, in the Maestro Edge and Duet delivering just what India needs from a 110cc scooter. You’d do well to pick up either of these new heroes.

Specifications
	Hero Duet	Hero Maestro Edge
Engine	110.9cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke	110.9cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke
Power	8.31bhp@8000rpm	8.31bhp@8000rpm
Torque	0.85kgm@6500rpm	0.85kgm@6500rpm
Gearbox	CVT	CVT
Length	1830mm	1841mm
Width	726mm	695mm
Height	1139mm	1190mm
Wheelbase	1245mm	1261mm
Weight	116kg	110kg
Front suspension	Telescopic forks	Telescopic forks
Rear suspension	Spring suspension	Spring suspension
Wheel	Pressed steel	5-spoke alloy
Rim size (f-r)	10 inches	12-10 inches
Tyre size (f-r)	90/100 x 10 - 90/100 x 10 inches	90/90 x 12 - 90/100 x 10 inches