Hero Splendor Plus

The Hero Splendor Plus has been a primary bike on Indian roads for years. It is trusted by people as it is fuel-efficient and dependable, hence the choice for daily usage. With new trends and competition rising, can the Splendor Plus still hold its own? Let's take a look at its design, performance, comfort, and value to see.

When you see the Splendor Plus, you realise that it is all about being simple and reliable. Its straight lines and simplicity of design provide a sense of comfort. The compactness of the bike is ideal to navigate through the congested city roads. It may not look very stylish, but its simple design is very practical for daily commuting.

In later models, Hero introduced contemporary features to make the Splendor Plus trendy. The fresh colours and minimal graphical improvements provide a new look without altering its original shape. The look can appear outdated relative to newer models to some.

The Splendor Plus has a 97.2cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine. The engine produces a modest 5.9 kW of power and 8.05 Nm of torque. While the figures are not impressive, they are sufficient for city commutes. The bike offers a smoother throttle response, so it is convenient for beginners and reliable for daily rides.

One of the most amazing things about the Splendor Plus is how efficiently it can run on fuel. Bikers usually get between 55 and 60 km per liter, and it's not unknown for some bikers to see 65 km per liter if everything is optimal. Such an efficient fuel record makes the bike cost-effective to own, and most customers particularly want this in their purchase.

Hero Splendor Plus is very lightweight, which contributes to agile handling. Moreover, you can manoeuvre the motorcycle in city traffic easily, which is stable at reasonable speeds. Additionally, the suspension system, with telescopic front forks and rear swingarm with hydraulic shock absorbers, is tuned for comfort. It also takes care of small road bumps quite well, and the bike rides very well in urban conditions.

The bike is not highway suitable. It vibrates a lot, particularly in the seat and handlebars, when ridden over 60 kmph. It can reach 80 kmph, but highway riding for a long period of time is not comfortable.

The Splendor Plus lets you ride in a sitting position, which is comfortable for daily commuting. The seat is well padded but a bit too thin. Tall riders' knees stick out over the tank, which makes long rides uncomfortable. Additionally, the soft foam seat is comfortable for short distances, but fatigues on long distances because the foam flattens over a period of time.

Pillion riders get decent space, but the small design may not be comfy for long rides. The addition of a grab rail provides the pillion with a feeling of safety.

The Splendor Plus does not complicate things with its features. The instrument cluster is very simple, showing only the most important information like speed, fuel level, and the odometer. But if you go for the higher models, like the Splendor Plus Xtec, you get a few more features. This includes a Bluetooth-enabled digital display, a real-time mileage meter, and an engine cut-off when the side stand is down, which makes the ride easier.

One thing that needs to be altered is the headlight. Because it is connected to the engine RPM, the light gets dimmer at slower speeds. The company could go for an LED system with a direct battery connection, which would get rid of this problem and give better visibility.

Splendor Plus also earns the tag of being low-maintenance. Routine maintenance is economical and easy as Hero has an extensive network of service centers everywhere in India. Furthermore, the spare parts are easily available and affordable.

Some of the long-term owners have had some minor issues, such as less responsive front suspension following heavy usage. This requires frequent service to maintain the bike in good working condition. Despite these minor issues, the bike is otherwise of good quality, with durable paint and solid components that can withstand frequent usage.

The Hero Splendor Plus is still a good bike to move around on. Its design is not especially modern, and it does not have some of the advanced features of newer bikes. But, it is long-lasting because it is not complex, saves on fuel, and is easy to repair.

For the prospective buyers, you have to determine your core riding requirements. If you ride within the city and make the occasional short highway drive, the Splendor Plus is just what you need. If you make frequent long highway runs, look for the larger engine variants and stability at high speeds.