Hero Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0 Road Test Review: Is It Still The King Of Indian Roads?

Here’s what we think about the bike’s real world performance

The Hero Splendor Plus is an iconic motorcycle, and currently the highest selling model in India. Over the years, the bike has earned itself a reputation for being a very cheap-to-operate no-nonsense commuter. 

Since its launch, the bike hasn’t changed much but Hero has been giving it minor updates here and there to keep it relevant. The XTEC 2.0 variant is one such update that Hero has offered on this bike. We will be sharing our thoughts on the bike’s real world performance and also answering the question, is the Splendor Plus still relevant in the current market?

Design

When it comes to looks and design, the Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0 has not received a radical change in terms of looks. It still retains the same design language that we have come to associate with the original Hero Splendor, but with a few minor tweaks here and there.

The first thing that stands out in this variant is the LED headlight and the integrated H-shaped DRL. This looks quite good and adds character to the bike, which we felt was missing on the non-XTEC variants of the Hero Splendor Plus. The matte finished colour schemes along with the 3D metallic badging offered also give the bike a more premium look and feel, making it stand out quite a bit when compared to other variants of the bike.

These small changes, although a welcome addition, does not change the fact that it is still a Splendor. Sure it does stand out when compared to other Hero Splendors but it does not really attract major attention from the public. During my tests, the only ones who did pay attention, giving the occasional glances here and there, were other Splendor owners.

Overall, in terms of design the bike manages to give a more premium look and feel. But doesn’t necessarily stand out as something unique or extraordinary. This is not a problem, as people want reliable performance and good mileage more than looks when it comes to commuter bikes. Good looks are just an added bonus and in that regard, the XTEC 2.0 doesn’t disappoint.

Engine, Mileage And Performance

The Splendor XTEC 2.0 is powered by the same 97.2cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine as the other Splendor Plus variants. The motor outputs 8.02PS and 8.05Nm, and gets a 4-speed gearbox.

In the real world, the performance is quite good and the bike has enough power and torque to keep up with city traffic. It also has enough torque and the bottom-end gunt required to execute quick overtakes in traffic. One important thing to note here is that this engine is not the most refined, and you will feel mild buzzing on the handlebars and seat when pushing the bike hard.

The bike is able to hit speeds of 60kmph without much trouble, but beyond that you’ll start to feel a minor buzz creeping in. After 75kmph, the bike feels like it has started struggling to keep up. For city riding, the Splendor’s performance is adequate, but on the highway, it just doesn’t feel like it has the power needed to hold speeds of 80kmph for extended periods of time without feeling like it is struggling.

Now, coming to the mileage. This a major strong point for the Splendor Plus and during our tests we were able to get an impressive 83.2kmpl in the city and 95.8kmpl on the highway. When factoring in mixed riding conditions (both city and highway) we can say the bike will be able to offer around 800km range, with a full tank (9.8-litres). This is quite impressive and for most riders, it’ll be enough for an entire month.

Handling And Ride Quality

The Splendor Plus is a very light bike, with a kerb weight of just 112kg. It is easy to move around in the parking lot and the low seat height of 785mm and narrow width makes it accessible for riders of all sizes. While riding in the city, the Splendor comes off as really light and agile, making it easier for it to cut through traffic. Add in the slim profile and overall small size the bike has, it makes for a really good commuter that can be ridden effortlessly.

When it comes to the ride quality, the Splendor is a mixed bag. The suspension is set slightly towards the stiffer side which will make you feel a lot of bumps and potholes on the road. When you add in a pillion or heavier loads, the suspension tends to balance out. But as someone who usually rides solo, the ride quality is not entirely to my liking.

The Splendor XTEC 2.0 comes with 130mm drums at both ends, with combined braking system as standard. The brakes are not the best and they do not inspire the confidence you would want while riding in the city. 

The front brake doesn’t have enough bite and you’ll find yourself using both brakes for most stops. One issue I encountered with the rear drum is the lack of feedback. During emergency situations, which are all too common in Pune’s traffic, the rear wheel ends up locking when the brake pedal is pressed hard and the wheel starts to slide. This is something you don’t want to encounter on your commutes.

Getting a disc brake at the front will help to a certain extent, and we are glad that Hero has finally launched a new variant of the Splendor XTEC with a 240mm disc brake at the front. This is a welcome addition and hopefully will make a big difference in terms of braking performance.

Comfort

The Splendor Plus offers a relaxed and upright riding posture, which makes riding in the city a comfortable experience. The low seat height and lightweight also makes the bike really easy to handle. 

The seat cushioning is slightly towards the softer side, and this helps it accommodate short commutes in the city with ease. But on longer trips, you will notice some pain on your butt as it starts to sink into the seat’s foam. Another issue I have with the seat is, it is not as thick as it looks. So most of the time the seat doesn’t help absorb the impact of the bumps and potholes, which you’ll experience because of the stiffer suspension. 

Overall, the issues are minor ones and aren’t major deal breakers. The Splendor is a comfortable bike for short commutes in the city, which is what most people will be using the bike for anyway.

Features

As part of the XTEC upgrade, the Hero Splendor Plus gets a digital instrument console. The console is a LCD unit, which gives essential readouts like speed, fuel level, odometer readouts and tripmeter.

The console has a clean layout and the large font size makes it easy to read as well. The brightness is also quite good and the console manages to offer good visibility under most lighting conditions. That said, the only time you will have trouble reading the console is under direct sunlight. The console also offers smartphone connectivity for call/SMS alerts. Although this is a good feature to have, we believe most riders won’t be using it that often. 

Other features include a USB charging port and Hero’s i3S idle start-stop-system. The i3S helps improve the bike’s fuel efficiency by cutting off the engine when you are idling in traffic. The bike can be turned back on by pulling the clutch lever. This feature is a nice addition and really does make a difference when riding in stop and go traffic. 

Should You Get The Hero Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0?

The Hero Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0 is a good commuter which is able to offer reliable performance, amazing mileage and a bunch of useful features. But does it manage to hold relevance in the current market? Well, the answer to this is a bit complicated.

The Hero Splendor is currently offered in 7 variants with prices starting from Rs 75,441. Here’s a brief breakdown:

When comparing the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0 to the base variant, the difference comes to Rs 7500, which is a substantial premium. Sure the XTEC 2.0 and the other variants under the XTEC lineup have a lot more features to offer and better looks. 

But overall, the XTEC 2.0 variant does not represent a substantial upgrade, as the features offered such as smartphone connectivity and better looks aren’t things that you absolutely need from a commuter. The i3S is the only feature which feels like something you would want, and you can easily get with the i3S variant which comes at a small premium of Rs 1,345.

When compared to its competition, the Splendor Plus today has become a lot more expensive and it is no longer the cheap no-nonsense commuter option that you would think of. If you are looking for a commuter and want something that can offer more at the same price, then you can consider the TVS Radeon Digi Disc or the Bajaj Platina 110 ABS.  Both the bikes are higher capacity offerings, which offer better performance and underpinning. The Radeon has a 110cc engine, and also gets a 240mm disc brake at the front. The bike also has a more premium looking instrument console. It comes at a price of Rs 81,394 (ex-showroom Delhi), which is Rs 2,067 cheaper than the top-of-the-line Hero Splendor Plus XTEC Disc variant. 

The Bajaj Platina 110 ABS on the other hand, offers a 240mm disc at front with ABS for better safety. It also has a spring-in-spring (SnS) suspension setup at the rear, which is able to offer a more comfortable riding experience. The bike also features a larger 115.5cc engine, which offers better performance. It is priced at Rs 80,774 (ex-showroom Delhi), making it Rs 2,717 cheaper than the XTEC Disc variant.

The primary reasons why you would want to go for the Splendor Plus would be the mileage, its incredible track record of reliability, ease of service and low maintenance costs – all of which trump both TVS and Bajaj. 

The bike also offers smartphone connectivity, a feature that some buyers will appreciate. So overall, for the long term the Splendor Plus as a bike offers more longevity and will last you for a long time. Getting one is a decision you won’t regret if you are looking for a simple no-nonsense commuter which has a bit of extra features on offer.

But if you want something that is a bit more modern and offers better performance, then the TVS Radeon or Bajaj Platina 110 ABS would be more suited to your needs.