The morning sun casts long shadows across the bustling streets of Jaipur as I kick-start my trusty Hero Splendor 125, a motorcycle that has faithfully carried me through three years and 40,000 kilometers of India’s diverse landscape. The familiar purr of the air-cooled engine settles into its characteristic rhythm – not aggressive or imposing, but reassuringly consistent, much like the motorcycle’s position in the crowded Indian two-wheeler market.
In a country where motorcycle purchasing decisions often spark heated debates comparable to religious discussions, the Splendor 125 (officially known as the Super Splendor) occupies a curious middle ground. It lacks the flashy appeal that draws younger riders to sportier alternatives, yet it’s more capable than the basic 100cc commuters that dominate rural landscapes. This middle-path positioning has made it simultaneously ubiquitous yet somehow invisible in conversations about significant Indian motorcycles.
The Evolution of a Legend
To understand the Splendor 125’s place in the Indian motorcycling ecosystem, one must first appreciate its lineage. The original Splendor, launched in 1994 as the Hero Honda Splendor, revolutionized personal mobility in India with its unprecedented blend of reliability and fuel efficiency. It became the backbone of middle-class transportation, eventually earning the title of the world’s highest-selling motorcycle.
“The original Splendor wasn’t just a motorcycle; it was social infrastructure,” explains Ranjeet Kumar, who has been selling Hero motorcycles in Lucknow for over two decades. “It enabled countless small businesses, transformed commuting for the middle class, and became so deeply embedded in Indian life that many people simply called any motorcycle a ‘Splendor’ regardless of its actual brand.”
The Splendor 125 emerged as part of Hero’s strategy to expand the trusted nameplate into different displacement categories following the company’s separation from Honda in 2010. While the original 97cc engine continued production (and still does), Hero developed a 110cc version and the 125cc variant to cater to customers seeking more power without sacrificing the core Splendor virtues of reliability and efficiency.
The current generation Super Splendor received a significant update coinciding with the BS6 emission norms implementation in 2020, with further refinements for BS6 Phase 2 compliance in 2023. These updates brought not just cleaner emissions but also a 5-speed gearbox replacing the previous 4-speed unit, addressing one of the few persistent criticisms of earlier models.
Technical Simplicity by Design
Lift the side panel of the Splendor 125, and you’re greeted with mechanical simplicity that feels increasingly rare in modern vehicles. The air-cooled, single-cylinder 124.7cc engine produces a modest 10.8PS at a relaxed 7,500rpm, with 10.6Nm of torque peaking at 6,000rpm. These figures won’t impress performance enthusiasts, but they tell only a fraction of the story.
The true engineering achievement lies in how these numbers translate to real-world usability. The engine’s torque curve provides accessible power from just above idle, perfect for navigating congested urban traffic without constant gear changes. The widely spaced ratios of the 5-speed gearbox prioritize everyday usability over spirited riding, with first gear short enough for fully-loaded starts and fifth tall enough for efficient highway cruising.
“The Super Splendor’s engine is masterfully mapped for Indian conditions,” notes Mohan Singh, a veteran motorcycle mechanic in Pune who has worked on everything from vintage Royal Enfields to modern performance motorcycles. “It’s tuned specifically for the 30-70 km/h speed range where most Indians spend their riding time, and it delivers exactly what they need in that window.”
Fuel injection replaced carburetion with the BS6 update, improving cold starting and throttle response while maintaining the legendary fuel efficiency that defines the Splendor brand. Official figures claim 60-65 km/l, and real-world testing consistently delivers 55-60 km/l even in challenging urban conditions – economic mathematics that continues to drive the motorcycle’s popularity.
The chassis and suspension are similarly purpose-built, with a diamond frame replacing the older double-cradle design during the BS6 update. Telescopic front forks and twin rear shock absorbers with 5-step preload adjustment provide 180mm of ground clearance – crucial for navigating the unpredictable terrain that passes for roads in many parts of India.
Braking duties are handled by 130mm drum brakes at both ends in the base variant, with an optional 240mm front disc in higher trims. The Integrated Braking System (Hero’s term for a combined braking system) ensures that even novice riders can achieve balanced braking by automatically engaging both brakes when only the rear brake is applied.
Living With the Splendor 125
Daily coexistence with the Splendor 125 reveals virtues that transcend specification sheets. The upright ergonomics with a 799mm seat height accommodate riders of various statures, while the well-padded seat remains comfortable even after hours in the saddle. The handlebars fall naturally to hand, and the foot controls are positioned for comfort rather than sporty pretensions.
My daily commute involves 30 kilometers of diverse terrain – from smooth highway stretches to crater-filled urban streets and the occasional unpaved detour. Through it all, the Splendor 125 maintains composure that belies its budget-friendly pricing. The suspension, while basic in design, offers surprising compliance over rough surfaces without becoming wallowy during faster riding.
The motorcycle’s 122kg kerb weight contributes to exceptional maneuverability in congested traffic, where the narrow profile and responsive handling allow for confident filtering through gaps that would intimidate larger machines. This agility doesn’t come at the expense of stability, with the 18-inch wheels at both ends providing reassuring steadiness at highway speeds.
Practical touches abound that demonstrate Hero’s deep understanding of their customers’ needs. The 12-liter fuel tank provides approximately 700 kilometers of range between fill-ups – a significant advantage in areas where fuel stations are sparsely distributed. The center stand comes standard, reflecting the reality that many owners perform basic maintenance themselves. Even the side stand includes a safety feature that prevents the engine from starting if it’s deployed.
“These small details matter tremendously to actual users,” explains Ramesh Verma, who uses his Splendor 125 for his courier business in Delhi. “I can go a full week on one tank, carry packages securely using the flat rear carrier, and perform basic maintenance myself. For a business tool, these practical aspects are more important than flashy features.”
The XTEC Factor: Technology Meets Tradition
The introduction of the XTEC variant in 2023 represented Hero’s most significant attempt to modernize the Splendor 125 without compromising its core values. While maintaining the proven mechanical platform, the XTEC variant added features previously unseen in this segment.
Most noticeable is the fully digital instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity, enabling call and SMS alerts through a paired smartphone. The system also facilitates turn-by-turn navigation – a genuinely useful addition for riders who frequently travel to unfamiliar locations. The XTEC variant also received an LED headlamp, improving nighttime visibility while reducing power consumption.
“The XTEC updates address the perception that the Splendor was technologically outdated,” observes Anjali Sharma, automotive technology analyst at MobilityTech Research. “By introducing connectivity features while maintaining mechanical simplicity, Hero has effectively bridged the gap between traditional reliability and modern expectations.”
During my experience with both variants, the standard model’s analog gauge cluster proved more immediately legible in bright sunlight, while the XTEC’s digital display offered more information and convenient features like a real-time mileage indicator and service reminder. The navigation function, while basic compared to dedicated GPS units, provides sufficient guidance for urban use without requiring a phone mount that would expose expensive smartphones to weather and theft risk.
The premium for these features – approximately ₹4,000 over the standard model – represents good value for riders who will utilize the additional functionality. For purely utilitarian users, the standard variant maintains all the mechanical virtues at a more accessible price point.
Market Position: The Sensible Middle Ground
In the highly segmented Indian motorcycle market, the Splendor 125 occupies a carefully calibrated position. Priced between ₹80,848 and ₹85,080 (ex-showroom), it sits above the 100-110cc entry-level commuters like the Hero HF Deluxe and Splendor Plus, but below more premium 125cc offerings such as the Bajaj Pulsar 125 and TVS Raider.
This positioning targets a specific demographic: pragmatic buyers who desire additional performance over a 100cc machine but prioritize reliability and economy over style or features. Rural professionals, small business owners, and urban commuters with longer travel distances form the core customer base.
“The Super Splendor buyer is typically someone who has outgrown their first 100cc motorcycle but values practicality over all else,” explains Deepak Sharma, sales manager at a Hero dealership in Chandigarh. “They’re usually buying their second or third motorcycle and have learned from experience to prioritize running costs and reliability.”
Competition in this segment has intensified in recent years, with Honda’s SP 125 offering sophisticated features and more refined performance at a higher price point. Bajaj’s Pulsar 125 targets more style-conscious buyers with its sportier aesthetics, while TVS has made significant inroads with the feature-rich Raider.
Yet the Splendor 125 maintains steady sales, moving approximately 35,000-40,000 units monthly – impressive figures for a motorcycle that receives minimal marketing focus compared to Hero’s newer models. Its continued success speaks to the enduring appeal of its fundamental value proposition: trusted reliability, exceptional efficiency, and sufficient performance for everyday needs.
Ownership Experience: The True Cost Calculation
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Splendor 125 ownership emerges over years rather than during the initial purchase decision. The motorcycle’s exceptional mechanical durability and minimal maintenance requirements translate to remarkably low running costs over extended ownership periods.
Scheduled maintenance intervals occur at 3,000-kilometer increments, with service costs averaging just ₹600-800 for routine oil changes and adjustments. Major services at 12,000-kilometer intervals typically cost ₹1,500-2,000 – figures that have remained relatively stable despite inflation pressures affecting other maintenance costs.
Parts availability represents another significant advantage of the Splendor ecosystem. Hero’s vast service network ensures that even remote areas have access to genuine components, while the motorcycle’s popularity has created a robust aftermarket supply chain. Most wear items like brake shoes, clutch plates, and filters remain affordably priced, reflecting Hero’s commitment to reasonable lifetime ownership costs.
Fuel efficiency, the defining characteristic of the Splendor lineage, delivers ongoing economic benefits. At current fuel prices, the approximate 60 km/l real-world efficiency translates to a running cost of just over ₹1.5 per kilometer – significantly lower than public transportation options in many areas.
“When you calculate total ownership costs over five years, including purchase price, maintenance, fuel, and insurance, the Splendor 125 often works out cheaper than many 100cc alternatives,” notes financial analyst Priya Kapoor, who specializes in transportation economics. “The slightly higher initial cost is more than offset by better fuel efficiency and stronger resale value.”
This resale value represents the final economic advantage. Even after several years and significant mileage, well-maintained Splendor 125s typically retain 60-70% of their original value – among the strongest in the segment. This depreciation resistance further improves the lifetime cost equation while providing owners with flexibility should their transportation needs change.
The Riding Experience: Modest Pleasures
To evaluate the Splendor 125 solely on performance metrics would be to fundamentally misunderstand its purpose. The motorcycle delivers its greatest satisfaction not through exhilaration but through the absence of disruption – the quiet competence with which it handles daily transportation needs without demanding attention or accommodation.
The engine’s power delivery emphasizes tractability over outright acceleration. From a standstill, the motorcycle builds speed in a linear, predictable fashion, reaching 60 km/h in approximately 8 seconds – hardly impressive by performance standards but entirely adequate for urban traffic. More relevant is the engine’s flexibility, pulling cleanly from 25 km/h in top gear without complaint.
Highway capability exceeds what the modest specifications might suggest. The motorcycle comfortably maintains 80-85 km/h for extended periods, with sufficient reserve power for overtaking when needed. The true top speed of approximately 90-95 km/h arrives with little drama, the engine remaining smooth and unstressed even at these velocities.
Wind protection is minimal, as expected from the basic design, but the upright riding position allows for comfortable hour-long highway stretches before fatigue sets in. The seating accommodates both rider and pillion without crowding, though the suspension works best with just a single rider aboard.
“It’s not a motorcycle that inspires passionate midnight rides or weekend adventures,” admits Rahul Joshi, a motorcycle journalist who has tested virtually every two-wheeler sold in India. “But for its intended purpose – reliable daily transportation – it delivers a surprisingly satisfying experience. There’s a certain honesty to motorcycles like the Splendor 125 that’s increasingly rare.”
This honesty extends to the motorcycle’s limitations. The drum brakes, while adequate for normal riding, lack the immediate stopping power of disc setups. The suspension, while comfortable over most surfaces, can become overwhelmed by severe impacts. The analog speedometer in standard variants exhibits the typical inaccuracy common to instruments in this price range.
Yet these limitations feel appropriate rather than disappointing when viewed in context. The Splendor 125 never pretends to be something it isn’t – a refreshing characteristic in an era where marketing often promises more than products deliver.
Conclusion: Understated Excellence
After three years and 40,000 kilometers with my Splendor 125, I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for its understated excellence. In a motorcycling culture increasingly dominated by image and status, the Splendor 125 quietly continues providing millions of Indians with reliable, affordable transportation that genuinely improves their quality of life.
Its virtues aren’t immediately apparent during brief test rides or showroom comparisons. The true value emerges through years of dependable service, minimal maintenance requirements, and exceptional efficiency – qualities that matter tremendously in real-world ownership but rarely feature in enthusiast discussions.
As India’s motorcycle market continues its rapid evolution toward premium segments and electric powertrains, motorcycles like the Splendor 125 risk being overlooked in the conversation. Yet they remain the true backbone of Indian mobility, serving the transportation needs of the working population with minimal fanfare but maximum effectiveness.
Perhaps that’s the most fitting tribute to the Splendor 125: it doesn’t need to be celebrated to be successful. Like countless tools of exceptional utility throughout history, its greatest achievement lies in becoming so seamlessly integrated into daily life that its absence would be unthinkable. In that quiet consistency, the Splendor 125 has earned its place among India’s most significant motorcycles, regardless of whether it receives the recognition it deserves.
Vikram Singh is a motorcycle enthusiast based in Jaipur who has owned and ridden over 20 different motorcycles across various segments in his 15 years of riding. He currently uses his Hero Splendor 125 as his primary commuter while maintaining a Royal Enfield Meteor 350 for weekend leisure rides.