Maestro Edge
First up, we have the Maestro Edge, which was launched at Rs 49,500 for the LX and Rs 50,700 for the VX, both prices being ex-showroom. Looking at the figures alone, Hero have definitely got the pricing right but what about the product?
Away from the glitzy lights of the launch and out in the bright Gurgaon sunshine, the Maestro Edge shares its looks with the more staid Maestro but the Edge (as its name suggests) is edgier. The styling is definitely sharper and the luminescent blue of our test bike certainly suited Hero’s positioning of this scooter as a two-wheeler for someone who wants a dash of style to his (or her) commute.
Hero have also introduced a whole bunch of features to make life easy on the go. So there’s a USB charging port in the under-seat stowage area. There is a light as well to help you find your things in a not-so-well-lit parking lot. There is a side-stand indicator lamp and a stylish new exhaust as well. While these are good to have, what adds far more value to the Maestro Edge is Hero’s addition of Integrated Braking System (IBS), which is not unlike Honda’s Combi-brakes. Basically, when you pull the left lever to engage the rear drum, you end up actuating both the front and the rear brakes. Should you pull on the right lever, however, you only engage the front brake.
A maximum of 8.31 PS comes in at 8,000 RPM from what Hero claim is their new air-cooled 110.9-cc engine with a single overhead camshaft (SOHC). Maximum torque is rated at 8.3 Nm, which is available at 6,500 RPM. The engine is fairly refined and has enough grunt for most purposes. Transmission is, of course, a variomatic drive.
The Maestro Edge shares its platform with the Duet, but comprises plastic panels making for a lighter kerb weight of 110 kg. It also gets a 12-inch wheel up front and a 10-inch at the rear. On the go, it becomes quite clear that a fair bit of work has gone into the chassis. The scooter feels stable and confident, be it on a straight or in a turn. Ride quality is well sorted too.
Grab a fistful of brakes with your left hand and the IBS of the Maestro Edge works well to bring the scooter to a full stop without fuss. That said, the brake feel on the left lever (which features the IBS) could be better.
