[aaggoswami]

Source : Hero Maestro review, test ride - Review - Autocar India

Aritcle :

The scooter segment in India is witnessing a noticeable transition. Manufacturers are now competing to give individuality to these utilitarian rides. Basic convenience of twist-and-go riding and storage space for daily needs is being complemented with sharper styling and more features as Honda’s recent Dio, Suzuki’s new Swish 125 and Piaggio’s Vespa LX 125 have shown. Once again the industry leader Hero MotoCorp has defined its scooter by the sex of the rider; after the Pleasure, Hero’s new Maestro is trying to tempt the males.

The scooter is powered by a four-stroke, single-cylinder, 109cc engine which generates smooth, vibe-free power. It quickly pulls from the stationery state with refinement and it churns out 8.09bhp at 7500rpm and a peak torque of 0.92kgm at 5500rpm. The transmission is the scooter favoured CVT.

The Hero Maestro comes at a price of Rs 44,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and is now available in six colour options – blue, green, red, white, black and silver.

CBS i.e. Combined braking system is also offered.
Engine = new Activa engine.
Hero Motors, IMO, should focus on bikes more than copies of old and new Activa. The biking scene is more than that. Suzuki has come up with a cheaper and smaller commuter bike, Honda has made good strides, even replaced Bajaj in 2nd w.r.t. sales. They should have a new 100cc bike by now. This product again shows that Hero Motors is still highly dependent on Honda.

Also, attracting male buyers with tag of male Scooter ? Bike is minimal requirement. And for those who are really onto buying a gearless scooter, Activa still makes more sense mainly due to brand. Irrespective of the brand or anything, this move proves that Hero motors lack the actual R&D team within themselves unlike TVS and Bajaj, both of them have made good progress. TVS even offers ABS and is not struck with mechanical CBS.

Hero Motors, grow and look whats actually happening in market, where the market has moved.

[vinair]

Company website here http://www.heromotocorp.com/maestro#

Does not have the fluidity of the new Activa, looks like a cross between a Activa and a Suzuki Swish! Got a very bulky looking rear! Just a average looking, distant cousin of the Activa!

[TaurusAl]

Errrr, but what is so MALE about it. Can it re-produce ?

IMO it just looks like any other scooter on Indian roads, Nice marketing tactics HERO, but I don't think it will work for you. At least the engine should have been bigger if not look-wise.

[balajiisworking]

Is it me or the display console has indicator for the right indicator alone?

TaurusAl - I guess it is male in the sense that it is NOT curvy like some of its peer group. Other than that as everyone else says, this is an "also ran"