The Hero Super Splendor is one of the most popular commuter motorcycles in India, known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordable price point.
Manufactured by Hero MotoCorp, the largest two-wheeler company in the world, the Super Splendor has carved out a significant niche for itself in the highly competitive Indian motorcycle market. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the key features, performance, design, and value proposition of the Hero Super Splendor.
History and Background
To fully understand the significance of the Hero Super Splendor, it’s helpful to know a bit about the history of Hero MotoCorp. The company was founded in 1984 as Hero Honda Motors, a joint venture between India’s Hero Cycles and Japan’s Honda. For 26 years, Hero Honda produced motorcycles and scooters that were hugely popular in India, with models like the Splendor, Passion, and Activa becoming household names.
In 2010, the partnership between Hero and Honda ended and the company was renamed Hero MotoCorp. Despite losing the Honda name, Hero’s motorcycles continued to dominate the Indian market.
The original Hero Honda Splendor was replaced by the updated Hero Splendor Plus and then the Hero Super Splendor, which has gone on to become one of Hero’s bestselling models. So what makes the Hero Super Splendor so popular? Let’s examine some of its key attributes to find out.
Performance and Specifications
At the heart of the Hero Super Splendor is a 124.7cc air-cooled, 4-stroke single cylinder OHC engine. This engine produces a maximum power output of 10.8 PS at 8,000 rpm and a peak torque of 11 Nm at 6,000 rpm.
While these figures may seem modest compared to larger capacity motorcycles, they are well-suited to the Super Splendor’s intended use as a commuter bike for navigating congested city streets and highways.
The engine is mated to a constant mesh 5-speed gearbox with an all-up shift pattern. Gear shifts are smooth and precise, making it easy to find the right ratio for any given speed and riding condition. The Super Splendor has a top speed of around 100 kmph, which is more than adequate for daily commuting duties.
One of the standout features of the Super Splendor’s engine is its advanced programmed fuel injection system. Unlike the carbureted engines used in many commuter motorcycles, the Super Splendor’s fuel injected engine offers more precise fuel delivery, leading to better throttle response, improved fuel efficiency, and lower emissions.
Hero claims that the Super Splendor delivers a class-leading mileage figure of 60-65 kmpl under standard testing conditions. Real world mileage will vary depending on riding style and conditions, but most owners report averages in the 50-55 kmpl range, which is still very impressive.
To handle the rigors of daily riding on Indian roads, the Super Splendor features a diamond frame chassis with telescopic front forks and hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear. The front suspension offers 130 mm of travel while the rear has 90 mm, providing a good balance of comfort and control over rough and uneven surfaces.
Stopping power comes from 130 mm drum brakes at both ends, with the option of a 240 mm front disc brake on higher spec variants. While the drum brakes do a decent job, the front disc offers noticeably better bite and improves overall braking performance.
The Super Splendor rides on 18-inch alloy wheels shod with tubeless tires. The bike has a 1260 mm wheelbase, 156 mm ground clearance, and a kerb weight of 126 kg, making it easy to maneuver through traffic and park in tight spots. The 12 liter fuel tank is good for around 600-700 km of real world range, which means fewer trips to the petrol station.
Design and Features
In terms of styling, the Hero Super Splendor has a conservative yet purposeful look. The bike features sharper, more angular bodywork compared to its predecessor, the Splendor Plus.
The front is dominated by a large headlamp with halogen bulbs and integrated LED daytime running lights on higher variants. The side panels are relatively plain with just a simple ‘Super Splendor’ graphic, while the rear features a clean tail light and LED turn signal cluster.
The riding position is upright and neutral, with a wide handlebar and center-set footpegs providing a comfortable seating posture for riders of average height. The seat is long and well-padded, with room for a pillion passenger. A useful utility box is located under the pillion seat, which can be used for storing small items like a rain jacket, tool kit, or bike documents.
The Super Splendor gets an analog instrument cluster with a speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge, and trip meter. Premium variants also get a digital display with readouts for the clock and service indicator.
All variants come with a standard set of features like an electric starter, alloy wheels, tubeless tires, a side stand indicator, and a maintenance-free battery. The higher spec variants add some creature comforts like a front disc brake and LED lights.
While the Super Splendor doesn’t have any fancy features like Bluetooth connectivity or navigation, it covers all the essential bases that commuters look for. The bike is built to be simple, robust, and easy to live with on a day-to-day basis.
Pricing and Value
One of the biggest selling points of the Hero Super Splendor is its affordable price tag. The base model starts at around Rs. 77,000 (ex-showroom), which puts it within reach of a large segment of Indian buyers.
Even the top-end variant with front disc and LED lights costs less than Rs. 85,000, which represents excellent value for money considering the bike’s build quality, performance, and fuel efficiency.
Thanks to Hero’s extensive dealer and service network across India, owning and maintaining a Super Splendor is also quite convenient and inexpensive. Spare parts and consumables like engine oil and brake pads are readily available and reasonably priced. Many Hero dealerships offer free periodic servicing for the first few years of ownership, further adding to the bike’s value proposition.
Hero Super Splendor
In conclusion, the Hero Super Splendor is a well-rounded commuter motorcycle that ticks all the right boxes for Indian buyers. It offers a reliable and fuel-efficient engine, comfortable ergonomics, robust build quality, and an affordable price point. While it may not be the most exciting or feature-packed bike in its segment, it more than makes up for it with its solid all-round performance and unbeatable value.
For anyone looking for a dependable and practical motorcycle for daily commuting and occasional weekend rides, the Hero Super Splendor is definitely worth considering.
With its combination of proven mechanicals, low running costs, and Hero’s extensive after-sales support network, the Super Splendor is a safe and sensible choice that won’t let you down. It may not turn heads on the street, but it will get you from point A to point B with minimal fuss and maximum efficiency, which is exactly what most commuters need.
To further bypass potential AI content detectors, here are a few additional tips:
Break up long paragraphs into shorter ones to vary the text structure. Mix in some one or two sentence paragraphs.
Use more colloquial language and contractions like “it’s” instead of “it is”. Write in a casual, conversational tone as if explaining to a friend.
Occasionally ask rhetorical questions to the reader. (“So what makes the Super Splendor so popular? Let’s take a look!”)
Include relevant personal anecdotes or experiences if you have any related to riding motorcycles.
Selectively use synonyms or rephrase key points to avoid repetitive language.
Check for any awkward or overly robotic sounding phrases and smooth them out. Read it out loud.
Refer to the bike by different names like “the Splendor”, “this Hero”, “the 125cc commuter”, etc.
Add a compelling intro and conclusion paragraph to bookend the piece.