Hero Splendor 125 : In the vast landscape of Indian motorcycles, few names resonate as strongly as the Hero Splendor.
For decades, this humble commuter has been the backbone of personal transportation for millions, earning its place as one of the best-selling motorcycles in the world.
Now, with the introduction of the Hero Splendor 125, the legendary nameplate takes a significant leap forward, offering more power, enhanced features, and improved efficiency while staying true to its roots of reliability and affordability.
Hero Splendor 125 A Legacy Reimagined
The Hero Splendor 125 isn’t just a new model; it’s a reimagining of what made the original Splendor a household name.
Hero MotoCorp, India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has taken the essence of the Splendor – its simplicity, durability, and efficiency – and infused it with modern technology and design sensibilities.
The result is a motorcycle that pays homage to its lineage while boldly stepping into the future.
Hero Splendor 125 Design: Familiar Yet Fresh
At first glance, the Splendor 125 is unmistakably a member of the Splendor family.
The iconic silhouette remains, with its straight lines and no-nonsense approach to design.
However, look closer, and you’ll notice the subtle yet significant updates that bring this classic into the modern era.
The front fascia features a redesigned headlamp cluster, now incorporating LED daytime running lights – a first for the Splendor series.
This not only enhances visibility but also gives the bike a more premium appearance.
The fuel tank retains its characteristic shape but now sports sharper lines and more pronounced knee recesses, improving both aesthetics and ergonomics.
Moving to the side, new graphics and color schemes inject a dose of youthfulness into the design.
Hero offers the Splendor 125 in a range of vibrant colors, from classic blacks and reds to more adventurous blues and greens, catering to a wide spectrum of tastes.
The rear section has been tidied up, with a sleeker taillight design and a reshaped grab rail that’s both functional and visually appealing.
The overall effect is a bike that looks more modern and dynamic while retaining the understated elegance that has been a Splendor hallmark.
Hero Splendor 125 Heart of the Matter: The 125cc Powerplant
The most significant upgrade in the Splendor 125 is, of course, its engine.
The new 124.7cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine is a marvel of efficiency and reliability.
It produces a modest but adequate 10.7 bhp at 7500 rpm and 10.6 Nm of torque at 6000 rpm.
These figures might not set the world on fire, but they represent a significant boost over the 100cc and 110cc variants that have long been the Splendor’s bread and butter.
What’s impressive about this engine isn’t just its output, but how it delivers its power.
Hero has tuned the powerplant for excellent low-end and mid-range performance, areas that matter most in real-world riding conditions.
The result is a bike that pulls strongly from low speeds, making it ideal for city traffic and frequent stops and starts.
The engine is mated to a smooth-shifting 5-speed gearbox, an upgrade from the 4-speed units found in smaller Splendors.
This extra gear allows for better acceleration and more relaxed cruising at higher speeds, making the Splendor 125 equally at home in urban environments and on open highways.
Hero Splendor 125 Efficiency: The Splendor’s Calling Card
While the Splendor 125 offers more power than its smaller siblings, it hasn’t forgotten the importance of fuel efficiency.
Hero claims a mileage figure of up to 65 km/l under test conditions, a number that puts it at the top of its class.
In real-world usage, owners report consistently achieving 55-60 km/l, depending on riding conditions and style.
This exceptional fuel efficiency is achieved through a combination of factors.
The engine features Hero’s i3S (Idle Start-Stop System) technology, which automatically shuts off the engine when idling for extended periods and restarts it instantly when the clutch is engaged.
This not only saves fuel but also reduces emissions in urban environments.
Additionally, the Splendor 125 employs programmed fuel injection (PFI) technology, ensuring optimal fuel delivery across all operating conditions.
This not only improves efficiency but also results in smoother power delivery and easier cold starts.
Hero Splendor 125 Ride and Handling: Comfort Meets Control
The Splendor has always been known for its comfortable ride, and the 125cc variant takes this a step further.
The bike features a telescopic front fork and twin rear shock absorbers, both tuned to provide a plush ride over various road conditions.
The suspension setup strikes a fine balance between comfort and handling, soaking up bumps and potholes while still providing confident cornering when needed.
The riding position is typically Splendor – upright and comfortable, with a slight forward lean that feels natural for both city riding and highway cruising.
The seat has been redesigned for the 125cc model, offering better cushioning and support for long rides.
It’s also long enough to accommodate a pillion comfortably, an important consideration for a bike that’s often used as a family vehicle.
Braking duties are handled by a disc brake up front and a drum brake at the rear.
This setup provides ample stopping power, with the front disc offering good feel and modulation.
For added safety, Hero has equipped the Splendor 125 with its Integrated Braking System (IBS), which distributes braking force between the front and rear wheels when the rear brake is applied, enhancing stability during emergency stops.
Hero Splendor 125 Features: Modern Touches for Today’s Rider
While the Splendor 125 remains true to its simple, no-frills ethos, Hero has incorporated several modern features to enhance the riding experience.
The instrument cluster is a semi-digital unit, featuring an analog speedometer paired with a digital display for the odometer, trip meter, and fuel gauge.
This blend of analog and digital elements offers clear readability while maintaining a touch of classic charm.
The bike also features a side-stand indicator with engine cut-off functionality, preventing accidental starts when the stand is down.
USB charging is available as an optional extra, a nod to the modern rider’s need to stay connected on the go.
LED lighting is used for the daytime running lights and taillight, improving visibility and giving the bike a more premium appearance.
The headlight, while not LED, is a powerful halogen unit that provides excellent illumination for night riding.
Hero Splendor 125 Target Audience: A Bike for Everyone
The Hero Splendor 125 casts a wide net in terms of its target audience. Its primary appeal is to:
- Commuters: Office-goers and students who need a reliable, fuel-efficient mode of transport for daily use.
- First-time buyers: Those entering the world of motorcycling, looking for an easy-to-ride, low-maintenance option.
- Upgrade seekers: Riders looking to move up from smaller 100-110cc motorcycles without a drastic change in riding dynamics.
- Rural users: People in smaller towns and villages who need a sturdy, versatile motorcycle that can handle varied road conditions.
- Family users: Small families who use their motorcycle as a primary mode of transportation for running errands and occasional leisure rides.
Hero Splendor 125 Market Impact and Competition
The introduction of the Splendor 125 has sent ripples through the commuter motorcycle segment.
It directly competes with established players like the Honda CB Shine, Bajaj Discover 125, and TVS Raider.
However, the Splendor’s strong brand value, combined with its competitive pricing and Hero’s extensive service network, gives it a significant advantage in the market.
Hero’s strategy with the Splendor 125 seems clear: offer a familiar, trusted product with enhanced performance and features, all while maintaining the affordability and efficiency that the Splendor name is known for.
This approach not only helps Hero maintain its strong position in the commuter segment but also attracts buyers who might have previously considered only 100-110cc motorcycles.
Hero Splendor 125 Conclusion: The Legend Grows Stronger
The Hero Splendor 125 represents more than just an increase in engine capacity; it’s a carefully considered evolution of one of India’s most beloved motorcycles.
By retaining the core values that made the Splendor a success – reliability, efficiency, and affordability – while incorporating modern features and improved performance, Hero has ensured that the Splendor legacy continues well into the future.
In a country where motorcycles are not just a mode of transport but often a family’s primary vehicle, the importance of bikes like the Splendor 125 cannot be overstated.
It offers mobility, independence, and economic freedom to millions, playing a crucial role in India’s socio-economic fabric.
As we look to the future, with increasing urbanization and a growing emphasis on personal mobility, the role of efficient, reliable motorcycles like the Splendor 125 becomes even more critical.
Hero has shown that it’s possible to create a motorcycle that meets the diverse needs of India’s vast and varied population without losing sight of what made it successful in the first place.
The Hero Splendor 125 isn’t just another commuter motorcycle; it’s a testament to the power of evolution, a bridge between tradition and modernity.
It’s a bike that doesn’t just get you from point A to point B; it does so with the assurance of decades of trust, the comfort of familiar design, and the excitement of new possibilities.
In the world of Indian motorcycles, the Splendor 125 stands as a shining example of how an icon can reinvent itself while staying true to its roots.