Introduction
Hero Splendor is a commuter motorcycle launched by Hero MotoCorp under the joint venture of Hero Honda in 1994. It was the successor of the CD100SS and carried design cues from it. Hero constantly updates according to the market and that had led to it the title of Best selling Two-wheeler in 2016. It now manages to sit on the second position just after the Honda Activa. Now we are in 2020 and Hero has given Splendor another update amidst of BS6 norms kicking in.
Hero Splendor rivals Bajaj Platina 100 ES, TVS Radeon, TVS Start City, Honda Dream Neo,Hero HF Deluxe, Hero Passion Pro and many more commuter motorcycles.
Engine & Performance
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| 97.2 cc OHV Engine |
Hero uses the traditional 4-stroke engine from its beginning, this engine is based on Honda Cub engine but with a bigger cubic capacity. This 50x49.5 mm engine was into production since the Hero Honda partnership and Hero continues to use it as it has proven to be a reliable and commuter friendly unit. This is a 97.2 cc single-cylinder, air-cooled OHV engine producing maximum power of 7.8 bhp at 8000 rpm and max torque of 8.05 Nm at 6000 rpm. For complying with BS6 regulations, Hero has used a Fuel Injection System instead of carburetor and calls it Advanced Programmed Fuel Injection APFi.
FI will definitely help in better fuel economy, easy cold start, responsive throttle and many more. If you want a Carburetor v/s FI, comment down below.
This engine is mated to a 4-speed all up gearbox via wet 5-plate clutch. This is the same gearbox as used in older bikes. Why fix it when it ain't broke. I have found this gearbox very responsive and i have no problems with it. It is offered in both kick and self start variants.
Chassis, Brakes and Suspension
Hero has been using this double cradle tubular chassis since the beginning. Many hero bikes have been underpinned by this chassis. It is all made up of tubes, even the swing-arm is a circular tube. This helps in reducing the weight as rectangular tubes are heavy.
For the brakes it uses drum brakes to retard this motorcycle. They are also ages old with no updates, however these 130 mm drum on the front now gets a integrated braking system or simply a combined rear and front brake. Splendor gets best in class 130 mm rear drum as well.
In 2007, Hero started to offer alloy wheels for the Splendor, this one gets 5-spoke, 18 inch wheels for front and rear and the tire size is also identical at 80/100-18. These are tubeless tires.
Suspension duties are taken care by conventional telescopic forks on front and 5-step adjustable dual Hydraulic shock absorbers. It is offered with a 165 mm ground clearance which gives it a go anywhere feature and it can tackle no road, bad roads and every kind of roads.
Aesthetics
The design is similar as the '94 model. On the front we have a rectangle multi-reflector type halogen headlamp. The turn indicators are also rectangular. It gets a two pod analog instrument cluster which shows us speed and fuel level. Tell tale lights are placed all around. The 9.8 L tank design is also rectangular same as the first gen, however we get to see updates graphic now and then, this one also features new graphics. The seat is long and comfortable for long rides as well. The seat height is lower at 785 mm which makes anyone to easily maneuver this 112 kg motorcycle. On the rear of the seat we get a chrome finished grab handle which extends and become a small carrier to load some utilities. The rear tail light is also rectangular and a halogen. Splendor gets a boxy and simplistic design which most of liked and that's the reason it sells so much.
Features
Hero Splendor now gets some features so that it doesn't loose its existence. Starting with the Hero's own i3s technology. It cuts off the engine when bike is on idle for 30 sec and then switches on as we press the clutch. This can be turned on or off by a switch on the right handle bar. i3s is offers as an option. Next is a Engine cut off at fall feature, it uses an angle sensor which detects that the bike has fallen and cuts off the engine. This feature is available on super-bikes and KTMs. It gets a new 3Ah Maintenance Free battery. We also gets an engine-oil temp sensor which is not seen on lower capacity motorcycle. Hero has given some features of different category to affordable motorcycle and I just love it.
Price & Colours
Splendor is offered in four dual tone colours:
Black with Silver, Black with Purple, Black with Sports Red and Heavy Grey with Green.
Price of all the motorcycle have been risen up drastically due to BS6 norms as manufacturers have to put a FI to meet the regulations. Hero Splendor is offered in three variants:
Kick:-60,358/-
Self:-62,565/-
Self with i3s:-63,700/-
*Ex showroom Delhi.
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