Family Feud: Hero Passion Pro BS6 Vs Splendor iSmart BS6
Modified On Feb 26, 2020 09:57 AM By Gaurav Sadanandfor Hero Passion Pro BS4
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Two different bikes from the same family, sharing the same underpinnings, but which one makes more sense?
Hero added three new bikes to its BS6 lineup, including the Passion Pro BS6, just last week. The Passion Pro is a commuter with new styling, better features, and a frugal engine for 2020. While that puts it in a better position to take on rivals, its price point also coincides with another member from the Hero family, the Splendor iSmart BS6. But how different are the two when put side-by-side?
Design:
The 2020 Passion Pro has a fresh new appeal with a sharp front fascia, a sleeker tank with tank extensions, and funky dual-tone colour schemes. The bike looks and feels a lot sportier than the iSmart BS6. A feature worth mentioning is its redesigned analogue-digital instrument console, which now reads out real-time fuel-efficiency and mileage.
As for the Splendor iSmart, it looks more utilitarian with a tinge of athleticism. While the overall design looks bland, its dual-tone paint scheme and body-coloured rim tapes demand attention. However, the iSmart simply lacks the oomph factor that most of its modern rivals have when it comes to looks.
Powerplant:
While both bikes look different, they use the same 113.2cc engine. Although, the iSmart is tuned to produce 0.1Nm more torque than the Passion Pro. Which means it’s likely to have a slight edge over its cousin while getting off the line. That said, the addition of fuel-injection on both bikes should offer a crisp throttle response while i3S stop-start technology should help save fuel.
Underpinnings:
In the same vein, both the bikes share the same underpinnings -- a telescopic fork and a twin shock absorber setup. In terms of braking, the bikes use a 240mm disc up front and a 130mm drum at the rear paired with IBS (integrated braking system). So theoretically speaking, handling should be identical.
Verdict:
All-in-all, it boils down to the styling. What do YOU prefer? A simple commuter-centric motorcycle or a slightly more stylish one? We’d choose the latter, but you could choose to disagree. Besides, the Passion Pro BS6 is just Rs 90 more expensive than the BS6 Splendor iSmart, which is definitely a steal.