Hero Glamour BS6: Pros, Cons & Should You Buy One?

Does a BS6 update mean that we can now finally recommend the Glamour over the Honda Shine?

Hero is undisputed king of the commuters in the 100cc and 110cc segments. But when we slide a little further up to the 125cc commuter segment, it isn’t quite smooth sailing for the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer. Its Glamour has always lived in the shadow of more refined and popular bikes like the Honda Shine. Has this changed in the BS6 era? Here are the pros and cons of the Glamour BS6, along with our verdict on whether you should buy one:

Pros

Frugal Engine

The 124.7cc single-cylinder air-cooled motor powering the Glamour might not be the most powerful unit out there, but it makes up for it by being one of the most fuel-efficient. In the city, we managed to stretch each litre of petrol for a significant 64km, and on the highway this figure went up to nearly 70kmpl. This means a full-tank range of close to 700km!

Now Gets 5th Gear

Part of the reason for this frugalness is that the Glamour BS6 now gets a 5-speed gearbox compared to the BS4 version’s 4-speed design. This means that you can cruise along with the engine sitting at lower revs than before, which not only translates into better fuel efficiency but also less vibrations and a more relaxed riding experience.

Light On Its Feet

While most BS6 updates are bringing extra weight along with them, the Glamour has actually managed to lose a couple of kilos in its quest for cleaner emissions, now tipping the scales at 123kg (disc variant). That might not sound like a lot of weight saving but the all-new chassis design ensures that the updated bike feels a lot lighter steering than before.

Cons

Engine Refinement & Performance

Despite the addition of an extra cog on the gearbox, the engine still feels quite gruff and vibey, especially compared to the creamy smooth motor on the Honda Shine. If you’re looking for a smooth ride, look elsewhere. BS6 has also brought with it a reduction in power and torque, meaning that the engine feels quite lethargic, especially at the top of the rev range.

Ride Quality

The Glamour is a workhorse, so it’s meant to carry large loads without breaking a sweat. What this means is that if you’re travelling solo, the ride quality can feel quite stiff and bouncy, with road shocks coming through to the rider’s backside.

Fit & Finish

The quality of plastics used for the switchgear, and some of the panel gaps on the bodywork, left a lot to be desired.

Should You Buy One?

The Hero Glamour BS6 is a mixed bag. It has its strengths and it also has some pretty major weaknesses. But starting at Rs 69,750, it’s actually more expensive than its most fierce competitor, the Honda Shine BS6, which in addition to being better built and more refined, also comes with features like an ACG starter and engine kill switch. So unless outright fuel efficiency is your primary concern, we find it difficult to recommend the Glamour BS6 to you.