Hero Splendor 125 : Hero MotoCorp relief to nation’s commuters with much awaited Splendor 125, modern update of the golden nameplate of most trusted motorcycle in India
The immensely popular (over 30 million units sold over decades) Splendor brand — an icon in Indian roads for long now will enter higher echelon with the latest offering boasting aspirational looks around an inherent promise of fuel efficiency that made its namesake original a household word from petrol pump contracts to door hinges.
Analysts say this launch is aggressively timed to capitalise on upgrading customers tooled up for more performance offering that do exactly what you would expect from a premium motorcycle – as long as Hero can ensure the usual reliability and economy that previously proved the strength of its appeal.
Interest through early dealer preview glimpses has been off the charts, with pre-price enquiries from buyers flooding dealerships across America BEFORE official prices are even disclosed.
The Splendor 125 is Hero saying to the commuter of today, “You want more than rocking, grinding transportation; you want style, features and capability with the perks of ownership.”
Design: Stylish Premium to The Max
The Splendor 125 comes out of the box looking far more glamorous than its utilitarian larger siblings as it sported a contemporary look that would command equal respect with uniti segment motorcycles just days ago.
LED position lamps, mounted on either side of a burly halogen main beam combine to form the front facelift and signature light scheme that can be seen even from above.
Throughout the motorcycle, we find tasteful chrome accents from headlamp bezel to side panel emblems that bring premium details in a way none of the competition has pulled off correctly.
Extremely flat tank, with enhanced sculpting and defining lines that accentuates the light and creates dramatic shadow plays aid in giving an aura of size to motorcycle than what it actually is.
Available with six entirely different color choices like the traditional Hero red, accompanied by metallic blue, silver, bronze and matte black and possessing light graphics that bring it to life without taking away from its clean design.
AKA Instrument Cluster takes style and puts it into a simple design that is clean and free of clutter, keeping all that important data from looking over your shoulder during rides.
Performance: Perfectly Balanced Efficiency
Hero’s XSens powered 125cc Hero Splendor (125) offers an all new engine at very high standard, powered by Hero’s most advanced technology and programmable fuel injection, 11. 5 PS at 7, 500 rpm and 10. 6 Nm torque at 6 no Nm frame figures but in real riding conditions stated level would be enough.
Hero again drives home the much-hyped high mileage, standard test with around 75 kms per liter as headline beader for its new bike, and real-world numbers hover between 65-70 kmspl litre meaning truly dhansu mileage at the end of the day!
Engineers have worked at easing the torque decadence rather than gobs of hp, providing unprecedented pull out of idle all the way through the middle range—a territory crammed with shifts for peakier engines.
From Idling Start-stop System (i3S) — engine drops if the car sits still over 10 seconds and restarts within a moment when you stroke it for input (waste no time idling at red lights and the waperes fuel economy keeps ticking).
Functionally, the five-speed transmission has a very smooth engagement of gears (something that need to be fixed for any segment of commuters due vague shifting causes a real problem like switching front tire maintainence)
Details: Enhancements To The Ride
Analog tachometer and digital speed/fuel level/gear position indicator with a two trip meters, speedometer also keeps track of fuel consumption real time in the instrument cluster–providing load information superfast but nothing more than the rider needs.
LEDs for position and taillight provides good visibility to other road users while reducing power consumption and reinforces the premium look of the motorcycle itself.
Rear mounted USB charging point next to the instrument cluster means you can leave your mobile powered through a journey without a plug, a nifty touch to acknowledge the connectivity we crave in today’s world.
Bringing you AHO (All Time Headlamp On) by default; easy driver visibility and save you from battery draining due to alternator of efficient design, without the need of rider intervention during daytime riding too.
Application of the side stand indicator with engine inhibitor inform the motorcyclist that he cannot ride with the stand down, so that rider and vehicle stay safe from possible accident — minor but very much welcome safety upgrade.
xSens technology in Hero allows him to analyse and gain real-time traction from multiple sensors attached on the engine for engine performance maximizing fuel delivery/wind running/ignition timing based on ambient, altitude sensitivity.
All-rounder comfort and Ergonomics: Built for everyday use
The riding position is perfect in a comfortable control manner, it straddles the line of comforted road-costume without scrunched up forward lean for longer distance ride to avoid fatigue, still has a natural upright posture which keeps you in control as the road bend up.
Special Praise to the Seat because it’s made of high-density foam that doesn’t squish out of shape over time while still providing supportive thanks in large part to daily use — hopefully solving a problem where commuters hate their motorcycle seats.
We can safely assume the seat height of rest 790mm which makes sure you feel high in this motorcycle so you are able to stand most confidently while braking no matter what size you are (accurately coping with cornering and speed breakers too on rough roads).
The 120mm of travel from the telescopic front fork ensures this motorcycle for the best road imperfections it rolls up with its inbuilt competence for such a price range motorcycle and easily contributes toward long distances comfort.
Pricing & Market Value: Priced to be a Hit
Coming with three variants, the Hero Splendor 125 costs starting at Rs 89,999 for Standard, Rs.93,999 for Executive and garners at Rs.97,999 for Premium (ex-showroom prices)
At a premium than usual, considering the legacy of the honest 110cc Splendor Price and profit strategy position motorcycle accessible for target audience of up graders commuters and first-time buyers in need to invest in a superior transportation.
Customers can now pick exactly what features meet their needs and budget in the variant strategy, without being blinded into paying for unwanted extras that much required accessories.
The major financing options with Hero SureFinance low EMI, less documentation and higher tenure to match affordable monthly instalments as compared to the 110 cc counterparts while keeping purchase cost higher.
Hybrid 5-year warranty package gives buycomfort to frugal shoppers as Hero rides on the faith in its durability & getting rid of all maintenance cost related to premium Features, the product.
Competitive Landscape: The Towering Inferiority Complex
Accepting the honied Cup franca, the Splendor enters into a competitive territory already occupied by seasoned intruders Honda CB Shine, Bajaj Pulsar 125 and TVS Raider on its own merit; highlighting premium styling taken with class leading fuel efficiency.
If the Honda CB Shine is our benchmark, then certainly the Splendor comes with a more modern look but also rubs more contemporary features on an equally competitive price point, the refinement still lies in Honda’s favour.
Now, the Bajaj Pulsar 125 does provide more aggressive styling and better performance but still falls short of the remarkable fuel efficiency or the Hero’s service network this essential for a city rider.
In contrast to the TVS Raider, a buzzing rich variant of the most feature-rich bike in the market you have the Splendor with premium looking yet affordable styling and best in class fuel economy along with the legacy of unmatched reliability brand hero has set for their products.
So, the actual competitive advantage is in the Splendor name itself- it has been a trusty brand of generations and carries with it no lack of reliability, and extremely high resale value as well as nationwide service cover no even the new entrants can provide.
Target audience: who this is for
Its main target audience is young workers on first jobs and who are looking for every little bit economical they can get on board using their new salaries.
Others would include family riders upgrading from smaller displacement motorcycles or older Splendor models, drawn by the improved performance and amenities, yet still want the nameplate of trust.
Rural customers looking for their very first premium motorcycle will benefit from a fine line of understated sophistication & practicality, significant fuel efficiency and quality construction to cover the special usage aspects of rural areas.
Transport is being sponsored by their parents so College Students All in the Splendor 125 sex symbol but alleviating concerns of parents that it can be cheap, reliable and safe.
The delight of female riders, (what a market segment), which are first and foremost catered to by a seat height that is least-in-class as well as weight distribution aiding confidence without penalty for capability.
Hero Splendor 125 Review: Questioning the Limitations
Hero Splendor 125 takes a mundane nameplate & turns it into aspirational offering, without losing the roots that made the original a phenomenon across India!
Following the changing needs of today’s urban commuter, while keeping the trusty reliability and performance that Hero motorcycles are known for has ensured Hero has created a motorcycle that meets practical needs as well as emotional desires.
With its just-right premium design, up to date functions and practical elements at an affordable price the Splendor 125 balances affordability with essence, hinting it might fetch well into the sales records of its namesake and reaching an audience who will still watch out for the Hero brand.
They are the Hero Splendor 125, which seems largely as a fine balance between performace of dhansu mileage and some style to ride parallel to regular transportation.
