In the ever-evolving scenario of motorcycles, few names have made their mark so widely and uniquely as the Hero Splendor Plus has done in India. Be it since its launch, the Hero Splendor has been considered the quintessential choice for millions of Indian commuters, farmers, office-goers, delivery riders, and so on.
This iconic bike, simple yet efficient design, survived all the glories of time and paced with the changing consumer needs by retaining its core attribute: reliability, affordability, and fuel efficiency.
Hero Splendor Plus is the backbone of Hero MotoCorp’s lineup and has been a darling for decades to be among India’s best-selling motorcycles. Today, we are going to take you through the journey of its birth and development, design and features, the reasons it stayed the float for such long periods, and how it’s an icon of dependability on Indian roads.
Origin and Evolution of Hero Splendor Plus –
Hero Splendor was first launched as the successor to Hero Honda CD100 and Hero Honda Sleek in 1994. It was a time when Indian markets were coming into a new phase of liberalization of economy while the motorcycles that were reliable and used minimal fuel were gaining popularity fast in India.
Seeing this as a current opportunity to market a product that would reach the masses and provide them with an affordable yet mighty motorcycle, Hero MotoCorp, then Hero Honda, quickly got to work on their Splendor motorcycle. Soon, the market was abuzz with this name in each household.
Hero Splendor Plus was launched in 2004, which was an upgraded model of the original model. Plus, with incremental upgrading in terms of new color schemes, slightly refined ergonomics, and improved features, the simplicity and functionality that had made the original Splendor such a huge success were not sacrificed.
The Hero Splendor Plus was designed to fit the needs of both urban commuters and rural customers for an all-purpose, no-nonsense motorcycle that could take on the easy highways just as well as it took on the rugged village roads.
Design and Build: Simple, Functional, and Durable
Hero Splendor Plus’s success is primarily because of its design philosophy. This motorcycle does not look flashy or fancy but is properly built to be functional and efficient. It is clean and minimalist with functionality over showiness.
It has comfortability in its riding postures, which are simple and upright; these are suitable for long journeys, but also good for daily commutes because both the rider and the pillion have excellent comfort with wide, flat seats even for the bumpiest roads. The height of the handlebars sits comfortably, easing the strain on the rider’s back when commuting, thereby taking long hours of work on the bike.
The Splendor features an aging classic halogen headlamp, a well-shouldered fuel tank with an iconic Splendor sticker, and alloy wheels in the latest variants, that give the bike a modern touch without stepping away from the basic elements of design. The Splendor weighs about 110 kg so is light and easy to maneuver, especially for congested city traffic.
Another reason that the Splendor Plus has been liked by people for so long is durability. Robust frame and quality material ensure its withstanding of terrible Indian road conditions, whether it’s city roads or in rural territories. Its suspension system encompasses front telescopic forks and hydraulic rear shock absorbers for an extremely smooth ride even on uneven or potholed roads.
Engine and Performance –
The heart of the Hero Splendor Plus is its 97.2cc single-cylinder, air-cooled four-stroke engine. This is the same kind of engine Hero has been using in its Splendor since it first came into existence and is quite popular because of its simplicity, fuel efficiency, and low maintenance.
The Splendor Plus churns out approximately 7.91 bhp at 8,000 RPM and 8.05 Nm of torque at 6,000 RPM. So, though it is by no means the performance king, it does enough to fulfill its purpose: reliable, efficient commuting.
What’s likely to talk in real terms for the Splendor Plus is its fantastic fuel efficiency, where mileage figures that are often reported to range between 60-70 km/l. Backed by frequent fuel price fluctuations and ownership cost being an important factor for the buyer of a vehicle in a country like India, the Splendor Plus gives much-needed respite to the owners.
With 9.8 liters of fuel tank capacity, combined with frugal fuel consumption, riders can travel pretty long distances without needing re-fills – pretty smart indeed for the daily commuter and the long-distance rider alike.
Despite its small engine capacity, Hero Splendor Plus adequately performs in both the urban and rural substrata. It could speed at speeds as modest as 60-70 kmph, and it’s an excellent solution for short highway rides as well as urban commuting. Its four-speed constant mesh gears were smooth to handle, and that added to overall friendliness of the vehicle as a whole.
Features and Technology –
While the Hero Splendor Plus isn’t going to boast high-tech latest features found on premium motorcycles, it boasts a number of practical, user-friendly features, well-suited for the needs of the average Indian rider.
It was recently fitted with i3S technology by Hero MotoCorp on the Splendor Plus. It reduces fuel consumption because the engine automatically turns off and turns on again when the clutch is pressed if it is kept idle for a long time. This is a feature that serves a lot of good purpose, especially for heavy traffic cities, since riders often have to wait long at destinations due to red lights or jammed roads.
The bike also comes with a self-start feature, which is quite convenient, especially for those who may not be able to contend with the traditional kick-start mechanisms. While maintaining a simple analog instrument cluster, it does show quite essential information such as speed and fuel level and even odometer readings; hence, riders are always in the know.
In terms of safety, Hero Splendor Plus new-model variants have the IBS, which provides more balanced braking by exerting pressure on both the front and the rear brakes simultaneously. This implies a reduction in the stopping distance and better control in sudden braking situations.
Why Hero Splendor Plus Remains the Market Leader
The Splendor Plus long stays as a market leader in the Indian market for many reasons, which are as follows:
Reliability: Splendor Plus is always called a workhorse. It does not require much maintenance and can tolerate tough riding conditions that make it perfect for Indian roads.
Affordability: The Hero Splendor Plus is very aggressively priced in the entry-level commuter segment. So it offers excellent value for money. Its low cost of purchase and fuel efficiency, low maintenance, and high resale values make it the first choice among budget-conscious customers.
Fuel Efficiency: The Splendor Plus has invariably delivered mileage in the range of 60-70 km/l, which would translate into a significant saving on fuel expenses-the most important factor in a country like ours where fuel prices often form a significant fraction of the household budget.
Extensive Service Network: Hero MotoCorp enjoys the largest service network across the country. As such, customers can be assured of easy accessibility to spare parts and servicing facilities, even in the remotest corners of the country.
Trust and Legacy: It has been more than two decades since the Splendor Plus has proved in performance and in terms of its millions of satisfied customers, who trust it. This is a heritage that few other two-wheelers can boast of.
The Future of Hero Splendor Plus –
Just when electric vehicles and hi-tech bikes seem the order of the day, the Hero Splendor Plus insists that a reliable, fuel-efficient, and affordable motorcycle still remains in the safe book of Indian motorists.
This, Hero MotoCorp has been able to smoothly transition into modern accessories like i3S technology and IBS for the Splendor Plus while remaining relevant and adhering to core values.
However, electrical two-wheeler sales are still in the ascent, so there is a humongous market for petrol-fired, cheap, and reliable bikes in the HERO Splendor Plus ilk, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where the infrastructure of electric vehicles is still in the nascent stage.
The Hero Splendor Plus is more than just a motorcycle-it’s an institution on Indian roads. With its design, unmatched fuel efficiency, and proven reliability, it has grabbed a position in the hearts of millions of Indians as the go-to bike to ride on.
Whether one needs to commute to work, traverse the rustic roads of the country, or just cruise along, trouble-free, on the roads of India, the Splendor Plus does its job exactly as promised.
As the two-wheeler market in India continues to grow, the Hero Splendor Plus is one of those vintage motorcycles that can be termed as a quintessential icon of affordability, trust, and performance. It’s not just any motorcycle-it is part of India’s road-going heritage.
Also Read this –
Tata Sumo : Is the Iconic Indian SUV Making a Comeback ?
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios : In Depth Review of Hyundai
Yamaha R15 V4 features is luxury, price is 1,82,462 rupee