Hero Splendor 125 : I observed something strange when I was having a chai last Tuesday in my regular tapri near Andheri station.
Sitting pretty among the sea of normal motorcycles was a high-end 150cc motorcycle with a familiar Splendor badge.
The proprietor, Rajesh, a local office-goer, laughed at my puzzlement. “It’s the new Splendor 125,” he said, “costs like an old one, looks like something costlier.”
Having now ridden this new Hero offering for a week, I know exactly what he was talking about.
The Splendor 125 is not just any old incremental upgrade -it is a Hero taking a bold stand with the fact that even budget bikes deserve the premium treatment.
Hero Splendor 125 That’s Not A Splendor
The Splendor has been India’s workhorse motorcycle for generations. You know them: useful, dependable, and not exactly thrilling. This new 125cc iteration changes all that.
First off the redesigned tank with nice edges and premium looking graphics is sure to catch your attention. Three of my neighbors thought it was a far more expensive motorcycle.
The LED headlamp (yes, full LED on a Splendor!) is one such example. illuminates dark village roads well, and lends the front end a wealthy appearance.
Hero have definitely researched their target market while designing this bike.
Cruising down the densely congested streets of Mumbai, the bike gathered admiring glances from young office-going professionals — the very consumer who earlier labelled Splendor as “my dad’s bike.”
“We would like to shift perceptions,” said Ramesh Kumar, a Hero dealer I met in Goregaon. ‘Customers want reliability, they want efficiency, but they also want to feel good about what they’re riding.”
Hero Splendor 125 The Economics: A High-End Look Without the High-End Price
Commuter motorcycle costs have spiralled heavily in recent years and the Splendor 125 is almost a breath of affordable fresh air.
Priced from ₹78,000 (ex-showroom) for the drum brake variant and upwards of ₹84,000 for the disc brake version, it sits squarely between the 100cc Splendor and the more premium 125cc options.
Just to put things into perspective, these prices beat most competitors by ₹8,000-12,000 with features at par or better.
I heard this price advantage cited during my discussions with prospective buyers in showrooms over and over.
“I had been planning to buy a Pulsar but now, I’m having second thoughts,” said Vicky, a 24-year-old from Thane whose bike is his travelling companion for a 30km daily commute.
“It’s got almost everything I want, while leaving me enough money to buy a good helmet and riding jacket.
Hero Splendor 125 The Efficiency Champion
So let’s address the headline number — mileage. Hero is also claiming 72 kmpl under standard test conditions – a figure that appears to be an aggressive claim at first glance.
But in my week long test of all kinds of riding conditions, I constantly got 65-68 kmpl in real world city riding.
On a highway trip to Lonavala, when ridden peacefully at a steady speed of around 60-65 kmph, it reported an efficiency of 74 kmpl.
That roughly translates to around ₹1.50 per kilometer in current petrol rates – much less than even other, smaller motorcycles from rival brands.
For a monthly commuter doing about 1,000km, that could be a ‘saving’ of between ₹600-800 over other 125s.
“Fuel economy is not about saving money,” is how my uncle, who’s been riding for 40 years, put it. “It’s about fewer stops, less stress and peace of mind in moments of spiking fuel demand.”
As of the recent fuel price increase, his remark appears very much alive and kicking.
Hero Splendor 125 Performance: Satisfactory but for a Reason
Rated at 10.8 PS of power and 10.6 Nm of peak torque, the 125cc engine may appear to have modest power numbers in black and white, but they are more than adequate for city riding.
The engine is pretty smooth for its segment, hardly any vibe even when doing 70-80 kmph on highway.
What impressed me during my rush hour test was that low-end torque. Cruising through Andheri’s morning traffic, the bike easily covered from low speeds without needing multiple gear shifts.
The five speed gearbox (fun fact, 5 gears on a Splendor!) adds another “overdrive” to the mix for highway cruising, which really takes the load off the engine at highway speeds.
The i3s tech (idle start-stop system) operates smoothly in the city, turning the engine off at signals and starting again with a clutch pull.
On my 45 minute home run through gridlocked Mumbai, the system kicked in at least a dozen times (I counted), resulting in some pretty stellar fuel efficiency.
Hero Splendor 125 Beyond The Specs: A Day In The Life Of The Splendor 125
Having ridden about 500km in different scenarios, and a few things that really stand out about the Splendor 125, beyond the spec sheet.
And let me tell you about the seat comfort. After 3 hrs straight with a passenger, neither of us had any of the “numb-butt” associated with smaller bikes or sore after a long ride.
A slightly longer wheelbase (as compared to the regular Splendor) contributes to a bit of stability, especially at higher speeds.
The construction also seems to be a step up from previous generations. Even after riding through some nasty potholes tossed on the Eastern Express Highway, there were zero squeaks or rattles.
The switchgear, a common point of weakness on budget bikes, feels substantial and functions with a satisfying click.
Hero Splendor 125 Is It Perfect? Almost
No machine is perfect and the Splendor 125 is not devoid of small niggles. The rear drum brake (in the base) doesn’t have that bite for sudden emergency needs in city.
The pass switch is a little bit firm in comparison with the other switches. And although fit and finish tends to be good, some plastics show panel gaps when examined closely.
But these are little nitpicks in what is otherwise a stunning package. But in the role it was designed for – dependable, efficient, everyday transportation that even looks good – the Splendor 125 stands out from the crowd.
Hero Splendor 125 The Verdict
The Hero Splendor 125 stands for something big in the motorcycle space of India – the democratization of premium features.
It’s yet more proof that a commuter bike doesn’t have to be just a dull, basic transportation appliance. They can provide style, features and performance without busting a budget.
For college-goers, office commuters, and value-conscious riders, the Splendor 125 could too be the ideal blend of utility and prestige.
As my delivery rider friend Karan said to me one evening alongside the road: “It’s a Splendor you do not have to be ashamed of.”
And that may be the greatest accomplishment of this unpretentious motorcycle.
FAQ
Q. What is the real life mileage of Hero Splendor 125?
A: 65-68 kmpl in city ride with normal traffic. With consistent highway riding at steady speeds you can get around 70-74 kmpl.
Q: What is the performance of the Splendor 125 compared to the regular Splendor?
A: The power and torque levels are nearly 25 per cent more than the regular 100cc version, making it visibly quicker at cut and thrust in the city as well as being more suited for the highways.
Q: Is its maintenance higher than the normal Splendor?
A: It has the same interval and spare parts cost of the standard Splendor. Regular services will cost around ₹800-1,200.
Q: Is it tubeless tire type?
A: Yes, all models of Splendor 125 get tubeless tyres which means that managing a puncture is more convenient.
Q: How does it handle up to evening riding?
A: The headlight is LED and it will get you a great throw, much better than the normal bulb found in the regular Splendor. It is comfortable and safe when riding at night in the countryside.
Q: What colors are available?
A: The Splendor 125 has five paint options: Matte Red, Gloss Black, Metallic Blue, Heavy Grey and the premium Pearl White (which commands a premium of 1,500).
Q: How does it fare for tall riders?
A: Riders up to six feet tall will fit comfortably with the ergonomics. The slightly more spacious seat position is kinder for big riders than the regular Splendor.
Q: What is the highest speed of Splendor 125?
A: The Splendor 125 is capable of hitting a top speed of close to 90-95 km/h, however, it sits most comfortable at 60-80 km/h.