Hero’s Maestro is a solid package on paper and its reasonable price-tag makes this commuter even more tempting. Let’s delve deeper.
At first glance, you notice the front apron, mudguard and vast side panels, all showing conservative lines. The headlamp adds some style (and they work well too), the dual tone rear-view mirrors work well but are cumbersome to adjust. The LCD-equipped multi-pod instruments bay comes with an analogue speedometer that has an ‘economy’ indicator between 30kph to 50kph. The instruments also get a trip meter along with the standard odometer. What feel good are the soft palm grips, standard quality switch gear and brake levers, however, the flimsy brake-lock clamp is cumbersome to operate. The ignition-key system is shuttered, which is a useful addition. There’s a lockable bay under the seat that has an ample amount of space. As far as fit and finish are concerned, it is at par with its rivals.
The Maestro is powered by a four-stroke, single-cylinder, 109cc. This is the same Honda engine that’s used in the Activa, Aviator and Dio. It generates a peak power output of 8.3hp at 7500rpm. Set off from a standstill and the scooter smoothly accelerates - power delivery is largely vibration free. The scooter hits 60kph in 10.51 seconds and can go on to hit a top-speed of 87kph.
The riding posture is comfortable and upright; the plush cushioning and wide riding saddle can easily accommodate the rider and a pillion comfortably. The scooter’s light handling is a boon, especially in traffic. The Maestro comes fitted with 130mm drum brakes front and rear, which deploy Honda’s effective, Combined Braking System (CBS) technology. The Maestro comes to a standstill from 60kph in 21.8 metres during brake testing.
This scooter from Hero is a solid package and comes loaded with features. Overall, it is a dependable, comfortable family scooter from Hero.
