Hero Xoom 110 Road Test Review: Likes And Dislikes

Hero Motocorp has taken quite a leap when making the Xoom 110, its entry-level sports scooter. And though we’ve already ridden the Hero Xoom 110 earlier, we were left with some questions which only a detailed road test review could answer. And now that we’ve spent some time with it, here’s what we liked (and a few things we didn’t) about the Hero Xoom 110.

Likes

Sprightly performance

The clear proof of the Xoom’s sporty performance comes from its acceleration figures, especially its 0-60kmph numbers which aren’t just better than other 110cc scooters, but are actually quicker than a few 125cc scooters too!

The quick performance means the low-speed ride is somewhat unrefined, though it evens out as the speeds rise. And despite the strong performance, the Xoom 110 sips fuel frugally; coupled with the i3S (ignition start-stop system) tech, it offers 50.65kmpl on the highway and 63.86kmpl in the city.

Stable Handling

The Xoom 110 isn’t light, but it holds its weight lower down. That, combined with the 12-inch wheels (and the wide 100-section rear tyre on our test scooter) makes weaving through traffic on the way to office, as well as holding on to your lines around corners during the weekend joyrides, a breeze.  

Ride comfort 

The Xoom 110 has an approachable, 770mm seat height with a tapering front, so even short riders won’t feel out of place. The padding is soft enough to isolate you from the engine’s vibes, but not so soft that you sink in on longer rides.  And despite the sporty handling, the Xoom 110’s ride quality is firm without being stiff. So though some sharp bumps creep through, the average undulation is handled without issue. 

Strong Braking

Being that we had the top, disc-equipped variant, the Xoom 110 seemed eager to come to a halt, without any drama. Lever feel is progressive, and along with the CBS which is offered as standard, made judging braking distances an easy task. This is something that will imbibe quite a bit of confidence in the beginner sport rider, the pin-point demographic.

Dislikes

Convenience added as an afterthought 

The cornering lights, a USP of the Xoom 110, seemed gimmicky when we first rode the Xoom 110. This feeling hasn’t changed, mostly because the lights are positioned too low – and aren’t bright enough – to work as advertised. 

Another thing that was done in good faith but didn’t quite hit the spot are the apron-mounted USB port, and cubbyholes. The former is positioned under the central spine of the apron so isn't the easiest to spot at first glance. And the latter not only has a wide opening but also lacks a cover, which might toss around or even fling out any phone kept in it. A clear workaround here would be for Hero to position the USB port under the seat.

Inconsistent tech

Hero pioneered the i3S system, but lately, other manufacturers have perfected it. A case in point is the system on the Suzuki Avenis, which functions a lot smoothly. Besides, considering the i3S system on the Xoom 110 needs you to pull in the rear brake and twist the throttle, the average rider would be better off simply pressing the ignition switch. Additionally, the one on our test unit had a mind of its own, and sometimes refused to work!

Moreover, the Xoom 110’s digital instrument console is smartphone-compatible for call and message alerts, something that will need you to stop on the side of the road and whip out your phone anyway. In the bargain, we would have been better off with another important feature: navigation. Yes, we realise no other scooter in this space has this either. But that’s exactly the kind of first-in-segment inclusion (instead of cornering lights) that would have helped the Xoom 110 sell like hotcakes.

Not suited for taller riders

The Xoom 110 is overall quite a compact scooter. This is good news if you’re hustling it through chock-a-block traffic, but not so much if you’re above average height. The ridge between the rider and pillion seat locks you in place, so the handlebar fouls with your knees on lock-to-lock turns. 

Verdict

The Xoom 110 isn’t perfect. The lack of low-speed refinement may put off a few; the awkwardly placed USB port may not be to everyone’s liking; and the cornering lights could very well have been substituted by turn-by-turn navigation.

However, what makes the Xoom 110 a crowd favourite is its clear purpose and execution, which falls into place when you see its price tag. Priced between Rs 68,599 and Rs 76,699, it undercuts some of its rivals while beating others hollow with the relatively wide spread of features it has on offer. 

So if you’re looking for an affordable, easy-to-manage, sporty, and yet fuel-efficient everyday runabout, the Xoom 110 is hard to fault.