The Hero Splendor Plus stands as a testament to reliability, efficiency, and accessibility in the Indian two-wheeler market.
With millions of units sold since its inception, this modest yet mighty commuter motorcycle has become synonymous with dependable transportation across the length and breadth of India.
From bustling metropolitan cities to remote villages, the distinctive silhouette of the Splendor Plus has become an integral part of India’s transportation landscape, earning it the status of a cultural icon rather than just another motorcycle.
A Legacy of Excellence
The Hero Splendor’s journey began in the 1990s as a collaboration between Hero Cycles and Honda Motor Company. What started as the CD100 eventually evolved into the Splendor, becoming India’s best-selling motorcycle.
After the dissolution of the Hero Honda partnership in 2010, Hero MotoCorp continued the legacy with the Splendor Plus, maintaining its position as the backbone of the company’s product lineup.
For over two decades, the Splendor has dominated the Indian motorcycle market with consistent monthly sales that competitors can only dream of achieving.
Its reputation rests on three core pillars: exceptional fuel efficiency, remarkable reliability, and affordable maintenance.
These attributes have endeared it to millions of Indian families, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas where practicality trumps performance.
Engineering and Design Philosophy
The Splendor Plus embodies a form-follows-function design ethos. Its unassuming appearance conceals thoughtful engineering that prioritizes everyday usability over flashy aesthetics.
The motorcycle features a straightforward tubular double-cradle frame that provides adequate stability without unnecessary complexity.
Its upright seating position, modest dimensions, and balanced weight distribution make it exceptionally manageable for riders of all experience levels.
The design has evolved subtly over generations, with incremental improvements rather than radical overhauls. This evolutionary approach has maintained familiarity while incorporating necessary technological advancements.
Recent models feature more contemporary styling elements, including refreshed graphics, improved seat contours, and more integrated components, yet the silhouette remains instantly recognizable.
Heart of the Matter: Engine and Performance
At the core of the Splendor Plus lies its 97.2cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine.
This modest powerplant produces approximately 8.2 horsepower and 8.05 Nm of torque—figures that appear unimpressive on paper but prove perfectly adequate in real-world conditions. The engine’s virtue lies not in outright performance but in its remarkable efficiency and longevity.
Hero has continually refined this power unit over generations, implementing fuel injection technology to replace carburetors in compliance with BS6 (Bharat Stage 6) emission standards.
The current iteration features Hero’s i3S (Idle Stop-Start System) technology, which automatically shuts off the engine when idling for extended periods and restarts it with a simple clutch pull, further enhancing fuel efficiency in congested traffic conditions.
The four-speed constant mesh gearbox offers well-spaced ratios suited to urban commuting, with a light clutch action that prevents fatigue during stop-and-go traffic.
The motorcycle can comfortably cruise at speeds between 50-60 km/h, with enough reserve power for occasional highway use, though this is certainly not its primary domain.
Benchmark Fuel Efficiency
Perhaps no aspect of the Splendor Plus is more celebrated than its exceptional fuel efficiency. Official figures claim 60-70 kilometers per liter, but many owners report even better results with careful riding.
This remarkable frugality translates to significant savings for owners who often cover substantial distances daily.
The motorcycle achieves this efficiency through a combination of factors: a small-displacement engine tuned for economy rather than performance, a relatively light kerb weight of approximately 112 kg, and the aforementioned i3S technology.
For many buyers, particularly those using the motorcycle as their primary means of income generation, this efficiency represents not just convenience but economic necessity.
Comfort and Practicality
The Splendor Plus prioritizes comfort for everyday commuting. Its suspension system consists of telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers at the front and 5-step adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear, offering a balanced compromise between ride quality and handling.
The setup effectively absorbs typical road imperfections without transmitting excessive harshness to the rider.
The long, flat seat accommodates riders of various heights comfortably and provides enough space for a pillion passenger. The motorcycle’s wheelbase and geometry create inherent stability, inspiring confidence even for novice riders.
Wide handlebars offer good leverage for maneuvering through congested traffic, while the lightweight nature makes the motorcycle easy to handle at low speeds or when parking.
Practicality extends to numerous thoughtful touches: a sizable utility compartment under the seat for essential documents and small items, a robust luggage rack behind the pillion seat for carrying additional items, and a center stand alongside the side stand for secure parking in various conditions.
Reliability and Maintenance
The Splendor Plus has earned a legendary reputation for reliability. Countless units have crossed the 100,000-kilometer mark with minimal mechanical issues beyond routine maintenance.
This dependability stems from a simple, overengineered design with proven components that prioritize longevity over cutting-edge technology.
Maintenance costs remain remarkably low due to several factors: widely available spare parts at reasonable prices, straightforward mechanical systems that local mechanics can easily service, and extended service intervals that minimize downtime.
Hero’s extensive service network—the largest for any two-wheeler manufacturer in India—ensures that owners can find qualified service even in remote areas.
Modern Features and Variants
While maintaining its core identity, the Splendor Plus has gradually incorporated modern features to remain relevant. Current models include:
Electric start across most variants
Integrated USB charging port on premium variants
Combined Braking System (CBS) for safer braking
Digital-analog instrument cluster with essential information
Tubeless tires for improved puncture protection
AHO (Automatic Headlamp On) for better visibility
Hero offers the Splendor Plus in multiple variants catering to different price points and preferences, including kick-start and self-start options, drum and disc brake configurations, and special editions with unique color schemes and graphics.
Cultural Impact and Social Significance
Beyond its mechanical attributes, the Splendor Plus has achieved cultural significance in India. It represents upward mobility for many families, often serving as the first motorized vehicle in a household.
For countless individuals, it provides essential transportation to workplaces, educational institutions, and markets, directly contributing to economic empowerment.
In rural India, the motorcycle transcends transportation to become a multipurpose utility vehicle. It carries agricultural produce to markets, transports small families (sometimes exceeding the recommended capacity), and even serves as an impromptu ambulance in emergencies. This versatility has cemented the Splendor’s place in the social fabric of India.
The motorcycle has also featured prominently in Indian cinema, television, and literature, often symbolizing the aspirations and challenges of middle-class life. Its ubiquity has made it an instantly recognizable symbol of everyday India.
Competition and Market Position
Despite numerous challengers over the decades, the Splendor Plus has maintained its market dominance through consistency and brand trust.
Primary competitors include the Bajaj Platina, TVS Star City Plus, and Honda CD 110 Dream—all offering similar propositions with varying emphases on features, styling, or price points.
Hero has defended the Splendor’s position through strategic pricing, continuous refinement, and leveraging its unmatched dealer network.
The motorcycle’s sales figures regularly exceed 200,000 units monthly, a volume that most competitors’ entire product portfolios struggle to match.
Environmental Considerations
With increasing environmental awareness, Hero has adapted the Splendor Plus to meet progressively stringent emission regulations.
The transition to fuel injection with the BS6 update significantly reduced the motorcycle’s emissions while maintaining its characteristic efficiency.
The motorcycle’s modest fuel consumption inherently minimizes its carbon footprint compared to larger vehicles, making it an environmentally responsible choice by default.
However, as India moves toward electrification, Hero faces the challenge of transitioning this iconic model to alternative propulsion while maintaining its core attributes.
Future Outlook
As India’s automotive landscape evolves with electrification, connectivity, and changing consumer preferences, the Splendor Plus faces both challenges and opportunities.
Hero has already introduced concept electric vehicles that could eventually succeed the conventional Splendor, promising similar utility with zero emissions.
The upcoming generations will likely incorporate smartphone connectivity, improved safety features, and more sophisticated powertrains while maintaining the core values of efficiency, reliability, and affordability that have defined the model for decades.
Hero Splendor Plus sporty look is launched
The Hero Splendor Plus transcends its status as a mere motorcycle to represent a phenomenon in India’s transportation history.
Its unprecedented sales success stems from a deep understanding of its target market’s practical needs rather than fleeting trends.
By prioritizing the essentials—efficiency, reliability, and affordability—over flashy features, the Splendor has earned the trust of millions.
For many owners, this unassuming motorcycle represents not just transportation but opportunity, independence, and progress.
Its continued relevance in a rapidly changing market testifies to the enduring value of honest engineering that addresses real needs.
As India moves toward a new mobility paradigm, the legacy of the Splendor will undoubtedly influence future transportation solutions, carrying forward its philosophy of accessible mobility for the masses.