For decades, India’s scooter market was dominated (and restricted) by ‘traditional ’models. However, in recent years, we’ve had a bunch of sporty scooters that aimed to blur the lines between them and motorcycles. But so far, no one has dared to do what Hero MotoCorp has just done — make a maxi-scooter with ADV cues sprinkled all over it. And it seems like a brilliant idea. The Yamaha Aerox 155, the Aprilia SR 175 and the recently launched TVS NTorq 150 lean towards the sportier side of the spectrum, leaving a void that the Indian two-wheeler giant has filled with this ADV-style scooter.
There’s no second-guessing the Xoom 160’s intentions — the ADV-style beak, (relatively) long-travel suspension, dual-purpose tyres and the upswept exhaust give the impression that this scooter is ready to take on trails, before you stow some groceries in its 22-litre under-seat storage. The Xoom 160 is a big scooter at 142 kg, but it doesn’t feel sluggish. In fact, it’s quite fun to ride around town. The suspension, though pliant on smooth tarmac, shows its limits on broken roads. At around 30 kph it manages bumps and potholes quite decently, but ride slower or faster and the firm setup with quick rebound either tosses you off the seat or sends jolts straight to your back. The real let-downs, however, are the MRF Kurve tyres. Despite their block pattern suggesting off-road ability, grip is lacking both on and off the tarmac. Cornering confidence is shaky, feedback is almost absent, and the front end can wash out without warning. Wet grip? Even less impressive. Honestly, grippy road-biased tyres would’ve made much more sense here.
However, the Xoom 160 redeems itself with its performance. The 156cc motor isn’t an all-out sprinter off the line but builds speed quickly and surges past 100 km/h with ease. Mid-range is strong, making ghats and highway overtakes stress-free. Refinement is butter-smooth — no vibrations till around 94 kph, and even at full chat the engine doesn’t sound strained. What could’ve made it even better is a shorter throttle rotation; the current setup dulls some of that responsiveness.
The tall and wide handlebar makes manoeuvring easy, and the seat is plush enough for longer rides | Photo Credit: Kaizad Adil Darukhanawala
On the ergonomic front, things are more sorted. The tall and wide handlebar makes manoeuvring easy, and the seat is plush enough for longer rides. The central spine gives your legs something to grip, but the maxi-scooter-style footboards are oddly shaped. They provide decent support, but the narrow tops leave half your foot hanging off.
The Xoom doesn’t go overboard with features. The console is clear but feels dated for the segment, especially at this price point. The absence of switchgear-mounted toggles to navigate through console options is a bit of a miss. That said, the keyless ignition and a multi-function dial for the seat and fuel lid are well executed, even if the key fob itself feels a little cheap.
The Xoom 160 looks like an ADV scooter, but it isn’t one. The firm suspension and sketchy tyres limit its all-terrain promise. Yet it isn’t a full-blown sporty scooter, either, despite having the engine to back it up. What it really is, then, is an entertaining scooter with maxi-scooter practicality and highway ability. Swap the stock tyres for better rubber, and you’ll have a blast. Straight out of the showroom, though, the Xoom 160 feels like a scooter caught between two worlds — and not fully committed to either.
© Motoring World
Published on September 12, 2025