Comparisons
Hero Destini 125 XTEC vs TVS Jupiter 125 vs Suzuki Access 125
Hero has just launched the top-of-the-line variant of its 125cc unisex scooter Destini, the Destini 125 XTEC. While it is mechanically the same as the previously available version, the new Hero Destini XTEC gets a host of visual changes and a few new features, thus bringing it up to date with the newer competition.
Speaking of the competition, the Hero Destini 125 XTEC competes with the current best 125cc scooters, TVS Jupiter 125 and Suzuki Access 125. While TVS just launched the Jupiter 125 with a bigger engine and a range of additional features over its 110cc counterpart, the Suzuki Access 125 is the segment leader since day one. Here’s how all the three scooters compete with each other in the same space in all the parameters:
Price
With a price of Rs 80,960 for the single variant in which it is available, the new Hero Destini 125 XTEC is significantly cheaper than the top-spec versions of the TVS Jupiter 125 and Suzuki Access 125, which are priced at Rs 83,375 and Rs 85,200. However, the Hero Destini 125 XTEC is not available with front disc brake at all, and the top-spec variants of TVS Jupiter 125 and Suzuki Access 125 without front disc brake are priced at Rs 78,925 and Rs 83,200 respectively
| Model | Hero Destini 125 XTEC | TVS Jupiter 125 | Suzuki Access 125 |
| Price | · Rs 80,960 (drum brake-alloy wheel) | · Rs 76,425 (drum brake – steel wheel)
· Rs 78,925 (drum brake-alloy wheel) · Rs 83,375 (disc brake-alloy wheel) |
· Rs 75,600 (drum brake – steel wheel)
· Rs 77,300 (drum brake – alloy wheel) · Rs 79,300 (disc brake – alloy wheel) · Rs 83,200 (Ride Connect Edition, drum brake – alloy wheel) · Rs 85,200 (Ride Connect Edition, disc brake – alloy wheel) |
(A prices mentioned above are ex-showroom, pan India)
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Engine and Chassis
All the three scooters here come with single-cylinder, air-cooled, single-cylinder, 125cc engines, with the Destini 125 XTEC claiming the maximum power and torque outputs among the three. In terms of suspension, all the three scooters here get hydraulic telescopic forks at the front and unit-wing with single-sided hydraulic coil spring at the rear. All the three scooters here come with 130 mm drum brakes at both front and rear, while the TVS Jupiter 125 and Suzuki Access 125 also provide the option of a 220 mm disc brake at the front.
| Specifications | Hero Destini 125 XTEC | TVS Jupiter 125 | Suzuki Access 125 |
| Engine | Four-stroke, air-cooled, single-cylinder, 124.6cc | Four-stroke, air-cooled, single-cylinder, 124.8cc | Four-stroke, air-cooled, single-cylinder, 124cc |
| Power | 9.1 PS @ 7,000 rpm | 8 PS @ 6,500 rpm | 8.7 PS @ 6,750 rpm |
| Torque | 10.4 Nm @ 5,500 rpm | 10.5 Nm @ 4,500 rpm | 10 Nm @ 5,500 rpm |
| Front suspension | Telescopic | Telescopic | Telescopic |
| Rear suspension | Unit-swing with single-sided hydraulic coil spring | Unit-swing with single-sided hydraulic coil spring | Unit-swing with single-sided hydraulic coil spring |
| Front tyre | 90/100-10 | 90/90-12 | 90/90-12 |
| Rear tyre | 90/100-10 | 90/90-12 | 90/100-10 |
| Front brake | 130 mm drum | 220 mm disc / 130 mm drum | 220 mm disc / 130 mm drum |
| Rear brake | 130 mm drum | 130 mm drum | 130 mm drum |
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Dimension
All the three scooters here have set up benchmarks in different aspects – the Suzuki Access 125 is the longest, the Hero Destini 125 XTEC is the widest and the TVS Jupiter 125 is the tallest and has the tallest seat height as well. Out of the three scooters here, it is the Destini 125 XTEC which is the heaviest.
| Dimensions | Hero Destini 125 XTEC | TVS Jupiter 125 | Suzuki Access 125 |
| Length | 1,809 mm | 1,852 mm | 1,870 mm |
| Width | 729 mm | 681 mm | 690 mm |
| Height | 1,154 mm | 1,168 mm | 1,160 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,245 mm | 1,275 mm | 1,265 mm |
| Kerb weight | 114 kg | 108 kg | 104 kg |
| Seat height | 778 mm | 790 mm | 773 mm |
| Fuel tank capacity | 5 liters | 5.1 liters | 5 liters |
Design and Features
While there are marginal differences in the mechanical specifications of the three scooters here, all of them have completely different packages in terms of design and features which they have to offer. All of them have LED headlamp with daytime running LED, external fuel filler, alloy wheels, 12V mobile charging socket, chrome-finished rear view mirrors and alloy pillion grab rail.
The Suzuki Access 125 is the oldest of the trio here, but it is the only scooter here to get a fully-digital instrument console, which is available in the top-spec Ride Connect variants and features Bluetooth connectivity. On the other hand, the Hero Destini 125 XTEC is the only scooter here to get a pillion back rest mounted on its pillion grab rail.
When it comes to features and design, it is the TVS Jupiter 125 which feels the most modern and practical of the lot. The fuel tank is placed below the floorboard, for which the filler cap is placed behind the front apron. This unique and easy-to-use positioning of external fuel filler cap liberates a lot of space under its seat, which gives the Jupiter 125 much larger under-seat storage space among the three. It also gets LED tail lamp, which is not present in the other two scooters.
Verdict
Hero might have made the Destini 125 looks appealing with the new XTEC edition, by introducing newer features like LED headlamp, pillion backrest, alloy wheels and Bluetooth connectivity. However, the competition has moved much ahead in the game, and despite it having the advantage of being the most affordable of the three scooters here, it still feels as if it is lacking something.
The Suzuki Access 125 might be the oldest among the three here, but it still makes much sense with its tried and tested 125cc engine which scores well in both performance and fuel efficiency. The scooter is the lightest of all, thus making it pleasantly zippy to ride too.
However, it is the TVS Jupiter 125 which feels the most modern of them all. It is as mechanically sorted as the Suzuki Access 125, while feeling the most practical with the large under seat storage compartment and front fuel filler cap. It might be the only scooter here which misses out on Bluetooth connectivity, but if it is not much of a concern for you, it is the scooter to go for without the blink of an eye.
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