The Maestro Edge and Duet have just become the first totally new from the grounds-up products from Hero MotoCorp since it parted ways with Honda. Hero’s always been the market’s envy, with a more than commanding share of the commuter bike segment, they have held in a vice-like grip for years now. Changing with times, the now all-Indian company has taken an earnest plunge into the scooter segment to gain share in this fast resurgent segment.
Hero has positioned the Edge as a sportier variant of the Maestro, Hero’s existing automatic scooter, launched and developed when together with Honda. The Maestro Edge holds a similar styling to its predecessor, with sharper lines and edges giving it a more contemporary air. In terms of features, the Maestro Edge is up there with its peers, offering smart instruments, loads of storage area including a flat floorboard, telescopic front suspension as is often missed on Indian scooters, apart from alloy wheels (12 inch in front) and the safety of a combined braking system. The brakes themselves are drums – front and rear.
The Maestro Edge offers a completely Hero-developed, new 110.9cc, air-cooled, four-stroke and CVT automatic transmission-equipped engine. Power output is 8.31bhp, made at 8,000rpm, with torque peaking at 0.85kgm, at 6,500rpm. As expected, this powerplant is carburettor induction-fed, and conveniently button started. Top speed claimed is 85kph.
The second scooter launched by Hero MotoCorp is the Duet, a more mass market focussed offering, that shares the exact same engine, with the same specifications and output as the Edge. However, it boasts of a metal body and that adds 6kg to its kerb weight over the Maestro Edge.
Hero MotoCorp will put the Maestro Edge on sale October 13 onwards, in two variants – the base LX priced aggressively at Rs 49,500, and the VX for Rs 50,700 (both prices ex-showroom, Delhi). Intended to be a family scooter, the Duet will be launched later. Both scooters offer desirable features such as on-board USB mobile charging points, plus remote boot and fuel-filler lid opening.
| 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 |