Hero Maestro Edge Road test review

Ever since their split for Honda, Hero MotoCorp have been trying to build themselves up and show the Indian market that they can come out with some good products. Their recent endeavours like the new Karizma and the Xtreme Sports didn’t meet up to our expectations but it looks like Hero have  been able to get their scooters right. Along with the launch of their to-be top seller – the Duet, they have also launched a premium version of the Maestro. Let’s see what this new Maestro Edge is all about.

The Pros: Eye catching styling, good features and good braking power.

The Cons: Vibrations

The Crux: The Maestro Edge will give any 110cc scooter a good run for its money and is a value for money product.

Design and features

Hero have done a great job on the styling of the Maestro Edge. No matter where you go, it’s bound to turn heads. Many even stopped to ask me if in fact it was a scooter by Hero MotoCorp. With great delight I said yes. One look at the scooter will entice you to come in for a closer look. We got the matte blue colour which looks gorgeous and from head to toe the scooter looks beautiful. The sharp angular lines flow right from the front panel all the way to the LED tail light lending the scooter a muscular sporty look. Even the exhaust has been styled similarly giving the scooter a sharp fresh look. 

Like the Duet, the Maestro Edge comes bundled with features. The semi digital instrument console looks good and is well laid out. It even has a service due indicator and a side stand indicator but sadly won’t tell you the time of day. Under the seat you get a USB 3.0 charging port and a small light that comes on once the seat in opened. 

It gets a multi-function ignition key system where a turn to the left unlocks the seat and a turn to right unlocks a rear panel. Now this is where it gets interesting. The Edge gets an external fuel filler cap which is neatly hidden under a panel at the rear. This little feature lends a whole lot of class and premium feel to the Maestro Edge. The ergonomics on the Edge are spot on and the new switchgear looks classy and definitely better than any other 110cc scooter.  

Engine and Performance 

The Maestro Edge uses Hero MotoCorps new 111cc engine that’s been built on their new scooter platform. It outs out 8.4PS at 8,000rpm and 8.3Nm at 6,500rpm. The engine has a good amount of grunt but still stands to benefit from refinement. Owing to its light plastic body the Edge does 0-60kmph in 9.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 86kmph. The engine on its own is punchy and feels quite calm cruising along the highway at 80kmph. In our fuel efficiency run the Maestro Edge returned an overall fuel efficiency of 53kmpl. Now this is a little low for a 110cc scooter and probably something Hero could work on. 

Ride, Handling and Braking 

Once you sit on the Maestro Edge, you’ll feel how comfortable the seat is. It’s got just the right amount of padding to keep you happy scooting around the city. This new scooter frame that Hero is using seems to be working well for them. The whole setup from the position of the handlebars, to the seat, to the footrest, lends a comfortable riding posture. Even around corners, the scooter felt planted and ready to take on anything. Hero have got the suspension setup just right on the Edge. It works well on bumpy city roads and handles well around bends. 

The drum brakes on the Edge are good too but what’s more impressive is the Integrated Braking system they’ve added. All you have to do now is squeeze the back brake and the front brake automatically engages. This will help you stop quicker and will help in preventing the wheels from locking up.  

Verdict:

Now there’s already a lot of competition in the 110cc scooter segment. The Maestro Edge is definitely going to stir up a storm with its array of features and superb braking and handling. It comes with a price tag of Rs. 51,000(ex-showroom Mumbai) and at this price point it stands a good chance against its competitors like the Honda Activa and the TVS Scooty Zest.