The Hero Splendor Plus has been around for ages and has been serving customers well, thanks to its practical nature, frugal engine, durability, low cost of maintenance and its ability to be used for transporting goods in rural areas. Hero MotorCorp has launched a special edition Splendor+ variant and they’re calling it the Splendor+ Black and Accent edition. It gets customisable livery, but the design and mechanicals remain the same. The bike is priced at ₹ 64,470 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Basic appeal
The Splendor Plus sports a very simple, straightforward design. Up-front, it gets a square-like headlight, a slender tank and an equally slim seat. The overall frame of the bike has nothing to write home about; this is a bike designed to appeal to entry-level commuter buyers with a priority on practicality. This particular Black and Accent edition gets an all-black paint theme, black wheels, a black engine and a black chain cover. Even graphics can be customised at an extra cost. The graphics include Bumble Bee Yellow, Beetle Red and Firefly Golden. It also gets kit like a 3D logo and rim tape.
The performance
The seat is reasonably comfortable. In terms of performance, the 97cc, single-cylinder engine makes 7.91bhp and 8.05Nm of torque, mated to a 4-speed transmission. The motor is silent and you make progress at a decent pace. It isn’t as refined as a Honda, but use the throttle carefully, and it feels effortless to ride. It feels nimble around corners but its skinny tyres don’t give you the confidence to push it hard. At highway speeds however, it stable. You can short-shift through the gears, and Hero bikes are more than comfortable ambling along. It doesn’t feel strained below 70kph and the gearing is well suited for low speeds. However, vibrations do filter through. The engine is also very fuel efficient but does not feature the brand’s i3S idle-start-stop system. The upright riding position and handlebar along with the centre-set footpegs offer a great riding posture. The bike is also very light and agile. The drum brakes are progressive but disc brakes would’ve been better.
Value for money?
The Hero Splendor Plus is one of India’s largest selling motorcycles, and with this recent update that includes new cosmetic touches, there is sure to be an increase in demand for this model. This is a bike that offers you the maximum bang for your buck and at the above mentioned price, undercuts many of its rivals. This is a solid, easy-to-ride bike coupled with hassle-free maintenance, making it a rather tempting proposition. Also, grab the latest info on the upcoming bikes, only at autoX.