As a replacement for Hero Honda’s CD100 and Hero Honda’s Sleek, which were both modelled based on the Honda’s CB250RS series, which was famous in the 1980s, Splendor was introduced. The Splendor Plus, an enhanced edition of the predecessor Splendor, was introduced by Hero Honda in 2004. This version has updated graphics, tail lights and multi-reflector headlights, turn signal lights and tail lights. 

Hero Honda introduced the Splendor plus in 2007 with several enhancements to new alloy wheels, updated body fairings, alloy wheels, and other enhancements. Hero Honda introduced the Splendor Pro in 2011 with an updated body style, self-start capabilities, alloy rims, and other enhancements. While Hero Honda changed their name to Hero Motocorp in 2011, the Hero emblem took the place of the Hero honda on subsequent models. 

Hero Splendor Plus Overview

Hero Motocorp introduced the “Splendor iSmart” as a new model in 2014. In 2022, Hero unveiled the Splendor Plus Xtec, a new model with an i3S fuel-saving system, a digital speedometer, an LED Daytime Reading Lamp strip on the headlamp, and black alloy wheels. Hero Motocorp is now the manufacturer of the Splendor following the splitting of Honda Motor and Hero Group Company. 

The CD 100 was replaced by the first-ever generation Splendor bicycle, which was introduced in the year 1994. In the year 2011, sales of a variant with a different engine and power started. With over 250,000 sold, the Splendor was the most popular motorbike in October 2016. In October 2017, Honda’s Activa overtook the Splendor as the most popular two-wheeler. In order to comply with updated emission standards and with improved graphics and visual options, Hero released the Splendor Plus BS6 model in February 2020.

Splendor Variants And Their Pricing

In the past, bikes in the Indian automobile sector of industry were still reserved for those with a lot of money in their hand to spend, which gave the bike industry a label of wealth. Scooters were the most preferred two-wheelers by people for private commuting. Then Hero Honda showcased its prideful motorbike, Splendor, to the whole world, changing the direction of the automobile industry. 

People had the choice to ride bikes instead of large scooters if they preferred. And the Hero Splendor Plus continues to be a motorbike that a man from the middle class may readily purchase. Let’s examine the background of the motorbike that many bike enthusiasts claim has fulfilled their dreams.

Chronicle of Splendor

1994 first-ever splendor by Hero Honda

We all remember that earlier, Hero Motocorp was in collaboration with the Japanese automaker Honda. It was not the first bike made by this company’s producer. This model is the successor to the model – Hero Honda CD100. The Splendor has the same exact engine as that of the CD100, and not many features have changed in the aspects of design too. But this bike model made many Indian clients switch from regular scooters to bikes. 

The low cost of ownership and the very high fuel efficiency are the main reasons why this bike went off so well. In terms of the engine, it had a capacity of 97.2 cubic centimetres with air cooling technology, and it had a 4-stroke mechanism that could generate a remarkable power of 7.44 horsepower and a maximum torque of 7.95 Newton-meter. It might yield an efficiency of over 50 kilometres per litre of petrol. 

Actually, back then, people used to brag that it could yield for weeks with only one refuel of the tank. The successful run of this model, which lasted for almost 10 years, is still regarded as one of the greatest in the motorcycle industry.

2004 Hero Honda’s New Splendor Plus

After being in operation for ten years, the Splendor received an update. It had the famous name Splendor Plus and the slogan “Lage Aisa Family Jaisa” on it, translating in English to “it feels as if Splendor Plus is a part of the family”, which held a place in the hearts of Indian people. 

The new Splendour Plus included a multi-reflector headlamp, a redesigned tail light, and improved aesthetics. Additionally, the stainless steel spoke wheels were changed. Now, it possesses the necessary alloys.

2005 The Next, Super Splendor

In 2005, a brand-new, more potent Splendor was introduced. It used a new system called Advanced Swirl Flow Induction System (ASFS) paired with a 125 cubic centimetre engine that could produce a great 9 horsepower. An already extremely fuel-efficient motorbike saw a boost in fuel efficiency because of this new emerging technology.

2011 All New Hero Honda Splendor Pro

The Hero Splendor Pro is a stylised version of the company’s legendary Splendor commuter, with animated sprites, a slim halogen headlight unit, and a sporty windscreen visor, along with many other features. The bike also has a detailed triple-pod cockpit-style console, which now includes a side stand indicator. Athletic tail lights, a chrome chromed steel exhaust muffler, a 3-D Splendor logo, and clear optics indicators add to the style quotient. 

The Splendor Pro is driven by an air-cooled and 97.2cc single-cylinder engine that generates 8.36PS at 8000 rpm plus 8.05Nm at 5000 rpm. The bike has a fuel efficiency of 90 kmpl as well as a max speed of 87 mph, as per Hero. The front brakes are 130mm drums, while the back brakes are 110mm drums. Shield Gold, Cloud Silver, Heavy Grey, Black and Red, Palace Maroon, Black Purple, Black Monotone, and also in Candy Blazing Red are the eight different colours for the Splendor Pro.

And the bike’s improvements didn’t stop at the engine. The Super Splendor had alloy wheels of alloy, a digital speed-o-meter, front-side disc brakes, graphic upgrades, and additional chrome on the engine and exhaust. It was also lightweight.

Current Variants On The Market

A line of motorcycles known as the Hero Splendor Plus is produced by the Hero Moto Corp located in India. In India, Hero is selling a new pair of Splendor models. The cheapest model of the Hero Splendor, the Splendor Plus, which is powered by a 97 cubic centimetre engine, is priced at Rs. 72,126. Super Splendor, the highest priced model, costs Rs. 78,568 and is powered by a 124 cubic centimetre engine. Super Splendor and Splendor Plus (Rs. 72,126) are two variations of the well-liked Splendor (Rs. 78,568).

1. Hero Splendor Plus

Hero Splendor Plus is the most popular bike in India, manufactured by Hero Motocorp. It is mainly popular is rural areas. It is known for its fuel efficiency, comfort, and reliability. The Splendor Plus is powered by a 97.2cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine that produces 7.91 bhp and 8.05 Nm of torque. The engine is equipped with a four-speed manual transmission. It has a fuel tank capacity of 9.8 liters and is claimed to deliver a mileage of up to 75 kmpl.

The Hero Splendor Plus is available in 3 variants, including kick-start, self-start, and i3S (Idle Start Stop). The i3S variant features an automatic start-stop system that turns off the engine when the bike is idling for more than 3 seconds. Hero Splendor Plus is also available in a variety of colours, including black, blue, red, silver, and white.

Here are some of the key features of the Hero Splendor Plus:

97.2cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine
7.91 bhp and 8.05 Nm of torque
Four-speed manual transmission
Fuel tank capacity of 9.8 liters
Claimed mileage of up to 75 kmpl
Available in a variety of variants and colours

The Hero Splendor Plus is a great choice for those looking for a fuel-efficient, comfortable, and reliable motorcycle. It is also a good choice for those who are on a budget.

2. Splendor Plus Xtec

The Splendor Plus Xtec offers a more modern take on the Splendor Plus. This new motorcycle receives minor design updates in the form of new paint schemes and graphics, as well as some slight feature additions. According to the company, the Splendor Plus Xtec has the segment’s first fully digital instrument cluster. This fresh cluster also includes Bluetooth connectivity, allowing calls plus SMS alerts to be displayed on the cluster display. This motorcycle also has a real-time fuel economy indicator, which is quite impressive for a 100cc bike.

The Splendor Plus is powered by a 100cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine that produces around 8bhp of maximum output at 8000 rpm plus 8.05Nm of max torque at 6000 rpm. This motor is connected to a four-speed transmission. This motorcycle is currently available only with drum brakes. Splendor Plus provided the remaining cycle parts, such as the suspension, seat, as well as tyres. This bike is presently available in three different colour schemes: blue, grey, and also in white.

Design Of Hero Splendor Plus

Hero Splendor Plus can be described as a commuter vehicle which has been in the Indian market for a very long time. Several variants have been developed with modern touches and new paint schemes, which have made the bike even more attractive to the younger generation. The outlook of this bike is quite simple and yet stylish in the new segments. The headlight is rectangular, the seat is quite spacious, and it provides a comfortable ride. The overall structure of this bike is quite practical for any kind of daily commuter.

The modern avatar for the Hero Splendor Plus is quite glorious. It has added several features to the older model, which has made it quite comfortable for youngsters. Several older people also seem to prefer this bike because of the extent of comfort presented by the perfectly modelled seat and the practical tailing. 

The headlight has been made modern and rectangular, with strong lights for darker hours. In all, the paint schemes, the alloy wheels and the body graphics are the final touches which have made this bike very popular. It is spacious and can be families as well. It is defined quite well in terms of design, and that’s why it is well-accepted in the Indian market.

Additional Features

The most prominent feature which can be observed for the Hero Splendor Plus is the mileage. It is one of the best features which can be observed for this bike, and there are no issues which will ever reach this particular feature because of the overall makeup of the bike. The impressive mileage of this commuter bike is about 81 km/ litre. This is way more than you can ever expect from a normal bike as such that can be used for normal commutation. 

The self-start features, along with a rectangular headlamp with extra indicators, have also set this bike apart from regular ones. The tubular cradle chassis can help to provide strong dynamics for the overall biking measures.

Engine Specifications And Performance

The Hero Splendor Plus is added with a 97.2 cc engine which is air-cooled and contains a single cylinder. The engine is also coupled with a four-speed gearbox and has a torque output of 8.o5 Nm at 5000 rpm. The engine has undergone trial and error processes for a long time, and it has been found that the riding experience is quite sparky with its initial acceleration. 

The noise and vibrations are extremely minimal, which has provided the bike with a very strange but smooth, soft riding quality. The top speed that this bike can reach is about 87 km/hour. This is way too much for a normal commuter bike. It should not be used for racing purposes because it is not built for those!

Good Things And Bad Things About Hero Splendor Plus

The Pros

● Fuel-Efficient Engine: The Splendor Plus Xtec version retains the 97.2cc engine, which generates 7.8 bhp and 8.02 Nm of maximum torque. The motor is coupled to a four-speed transmission. This motor is recognised for its incredible fuel efficiency, and it continues to perform well. With this engine, the Splendor Plus Xtec easily achieves 80 kmpl or over in city traffic and 90 kmpl or higher on major roads.

● New Features: The inclusion of new characteristics has increased the charm of Splendor Plus to clients. The instrument panel has been modified with a completely digital screen that can display a variety of data while in motion. Usual commuters will profit from the MID’s new extremely rapid fuel efficiency. The Xtec also has Bluetooth connectivity, that also allows the driver to view – call and also message notices more easily. Hero has also included a USB charger to satisfy modern clients.

● Handling and Ride Quality: The Splendor is known for giving its riders an amazingly comfortable ride and a lot of pleasure. The lengthy, smooth seat comfortably accommodates two adults. With such a kerb weight of 112 kilos, it is easily manoeuvrable in congested areas. The suspension setup can easily manage any type of road and ripples. It easily guides via traffic and turns over common obstacles without having caused any issues for the user. The bike is suitable for both long-distance and short-distance travel.

The Cons

● Brakes: Barrel brakes are still employed to stop motorcycles, and they are not always effective. Hero has included a merged braking system for improved stopping power, allowing the bike to drop into the brakes linear fashion. The speed control could have been enhanced if Hero had included disc brakes on the front as an option.

Competitors Of Hero Splendor Plus

There are some bikes which can present strong competition to Hero Splendor Plus in the Indian market. Let us get to know about these bikes!

1. TVS Radeon

The TVS Radeon has been identified as one of the chief competitors of the Hero Splendor Plus. It has the generic outlook of a commuter bike, but there are some retro elements which have set this bike apart. There are headlamps and thigh pads along with golden paint for the crankcase, which has added that extra glow to the bike. This has spruced up the overall aesthetics to a great extent. 

The Radeon has come with a twin-pod instrument which has a speed and fuel gauge. The suspension duties are also added with this bike which is tended by the telescopic forks for better shock absorbance. Buyers choose this for the outlook and performance instead of Hero Splendor PLus. 

2. Bajaj Platina 110

The latest design of Bajaj Platina 110 has some of the best design elements, which have made it so popular among youngsters. These designs include the knuckle guards, the quilted seat and the tank guards. These added features make this bike a bit more superior to the other bikes on the route. 

There are overall aesthetics which have made this bike a bit more popular than the Hero Splendor Plus, but the engine power is higher than the Hero Splendor Plus as well. The 115 cc engine, along with perfect brakes, has made the standard higher and presents as a strong competition towards Hero Splendor Plus. 

3. Honda CD 110

The Honda CD 110 commuter has a 109.5 cc engine which provides high torque to this bike. The engine has been added with a four-speed transmission. The suspension duties are often taken care of with the help of telescopic forks, and there are strong shock absorbers in the braking hardware. 

The option of disc brakes is absent, though. This commuter bike has made use of the functional analogue panel, which has ready speed values and a fuel gauge. This presents a very strong competition to the Hero Splendor Plus. 

4. TVS Star City Plus

TVS Star City Plus looks way sportier than its rivals. It is one of the most famous designs of the Hero Splendor Plus. The features are quite rich with the LED Headlamps and the semi-digital instruments, which can offer information about any stats that the bike might be facing. 

A 110 cc engine propels this bike, and it also added a 4-speed gearbox. The variants are quite developed in terms of brakes, and this has made a difference in different types of models. The telescopic forks are also present for suspension values, which is well matched with the rivals. TVS Star City Plus is a great bike to compete with Hero Splendor Plus.

5. Hero Splendor iSmart

The Hero Splendor iSmart is one of the bikes which is added with a 113.3 cc engine and has a four-speed transmission feature as well. The hydraulic shock absorbers are very strong, and telescopic forks are often added to enhance this feature. It belongs to the same family as Hero Splendor, and it can be a strong competition against Hero Splendor Plus. 

Few Final Words

Hero Splendor Plus is a leading company that continues to provide the greatest result for everyday riders. Even though the price of the bike has increased, the additional features improve it and are more appealing to clients. Even if you buy a 100cc bike, the motor is a wonderful fuel-efficient choice.