HeroSplendor Plus

Hero Splendor Plus

The Hero Splendor has always been a nostalgic and much-loved brand throughout India. There are several generations of people who have owned the motorcycle at some point or coveted one at least. The new Splendor Plus XTEC seeks to build on that rich legacy in the market. 

How is the design? 

The new Splendor Plus XTEC comes with several color options and attractive body graphics. The new color options include Canvas Black, Sparkling Beta Blue, Pearl White, and Tornado Grey. The new Splendor Plus XTEC is mostly the same as the other versions, although the body panels now have all-new graphics with the LED daytime running light slotted over the headlight. It also gets alloy wheels, while coming with its signature headlamp and its indicators along with the slimmer tank and other touches. 

How is the performance? 

The Hero Splendor Plus XTEC gets a single cylinder 97.2 cc air cooled engine that dishes out 7.9 BHP and 8.05 Nm of maximum torque. There is also a four-speed gearbox for the bike. The 100 cc commuter bike comes with the same components as before and the fuel-injected engine is paired to the i3S idle start/stop feature from Hero alongside. Overall performance is satisfactory for a bike in this segment, with a peppy ride overall. You never quite feel underpowered even at higher speeds and that is a good thing. 

How does the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC ride? 

The bike gets front telescopic forks along with a rear monoshock while there are drum brakes at both ends. The overall riding experience is smooth enough, with the bike having a stable ride at most speeds. 

How comfortable is the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC? 

The Hero Splendor Plus XTEC offers reasonable comfort for traveling city distances. It may not be the most comfortable option if you are planning on riding on the highway or covering around 100-200 kilometres for instance. But then it is not made for that purpose either. The lighter frame and 110-112 kg of the kerb weight makes maneuvering it easy and effortless. 

How’s the tech? 

The Hero Splendor Plus XTEC comes with several features including a digital meter and Bluetooth, along with SMS and call alerts, low fuel indicator, real-time mileage indicator, graphics, and the LED High Intensity Position Lamp. There is also turn-by-turn navigation along with weather and notification alerts, a cut-off feature for the side-stand engine, and USB charging. There are a couple of trip meters along with the low fuel indicator alongside. 

How’s the mileage of the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC? 

The Hero Splendor Plus XTEC can give you up to 83 kmpl which is excellent in this segment. 

Is the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC good value for money? 

On all counts, the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC is a great value proposition. It comes with great features and connectivity options, along with a signature design, appeal, and decent riding abilities. It also offers excellent fuel economy and decent performance. 

How is the after sales service? 

The approximate maintenance costs will be Rs. 2,750 for two years. The first service is after 500 km, with the third after 6,000 km and the fourth one after 9,000 km. These are completely free of cost. 

Which motorbikes compete in the segment? 

The Hero Splendor Plus XTEC competes with rivals like the TVS Radeon and Honda CD110 Dream Deluxe in its category. The former gets a 110 cc engine that makes 8.08 BHP and 8.7 Nm of maximum torque. The latter has a 110 cc engine that dishes out 8.7 BHP and 9.2 Nm of maximum torque. It also has a four-speed gearbox and comes with a higher starting price than the TVS Radeon. The TVS Star City Plus is also a competitor in this segment although it is positioned as a more premium offering. It also has the same engine and figures as the Radeon although it has comparatively lower ground clearance. Other rivals include the Bajaj Platina 100 ES and the Bajaj CT110, which come with 100 cc and 115 cc engines respectively. Yet, considering its overall value proposition, the Splendor Plus XTEC still remains a favoured choice in this segment. 

Verdict (Is it value for money?)

The Hero Splendor Plus XTEC stands out with its signature design and the famed Splendor legacy. It comes with a peppy engine that has decent performance and offers high mileage which is essential for a commuter motorcycle in this segment. It is priced competitively against its rivals and comes with several additional features that make it even more appealing to its core audience base. The bike handles reasonably well and is perfect for zippy rides in the city. It makes for a value for money proposition in its category, something that Hero has perfected over the last few years with a slew of models.