Riding unhurriedly through the tight lanes of Goa as the rainclouds slowly gathered overhead gave me quite a bit of time to think about what it feels like to be immersed in the susegad way of life. Things don’t always need to be done at a breakneck pace, and life has a lot to show you if you could only slow down for a bit. Now, slow isn’t a word I would use to describe the new Destini 125, but I will say that it is smooth, and smooth pretty much fits well enough into the Goan vibe.

It has been a while since the previous iteration of the Destini was launched, and this time around, Hero Motocorp has gone in for a complete design overhaul. Upon initial observation, the scooter gets an all-new front fascia with LED lighting and a projector headlamp while still carrying halogen turn indicators. The Destini also gets chrome-toned accents all around and smart-looking 12-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The rear end, though, has a two-step construction, where the halogen turn indicators sit on the top lip while the LED tail lamp sits on the lower lip. This aesthetic may not be for everyone, but that decision is left to the observer.

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The model we were riding was the top-spec variant with a 190-mm disc brake up front and a pillion backrest, among other features. This model also got a fully digital negative display unit, which, at times, felt difficult to read in harsh sunlight. This unit also gets Bluetooth connectivity and a host of other features like turn-by-turn navigation and auto-cancel turn signals. The apron also has an integrated open glove compartment with a USB charging port, conveniently located right above it. It also gets an external fuel filler cap and an elegantly designed 19-litre under-seat storage compartment that can fit a half-faced helmet and a few knick-knacks. The switchgear also feels pretty premium, coming from Hero.

Coming to the ride quality of the Destini 125, the suspension is pretty plush, with the telescopic fork on the front managing to absorb most of the regular undulations, but the rear could do with a slightly stiffer setup. The wheelbase has increased from the previous iteration with the introduction of a new chassis developed on the Hero Xoom. This has made the handling better, and coupled with the new 190-mm front disc brake from Bybre, it provides decent stopping power, although I feel it could be better.

The seating ergonomics feel pretty accommodating and comfortable, with the longer seat having enough room to sit taller riders as well. The 125cc engine, putting out performance figures of 9 bhp, is smooth and linear, with an updated CVT. Hero has been claiming a mileage of 59 kpl on the Destini, which we can put to the test once we get it for a longer period. The engine is not as lively as a few other 125cc offerings in the market, but as a family-orientated scooter, it seems to do just enough.

In conclusion, the new Destini 125 from Hero Motocorp seems to come together as a decently well-rounded package aimed at families. It may lack a certain punch that a few other 125cc scooters in its range offer, but it does a good job with what it’s got. Now what remains to be seen is how Hero decides to price it, as that will most likely be the deciding factor for a potential customer when choosing the Destini 125 over any other offering in the market.