Hero MotoCorp
Hero MotoCorp Splendor Plus
India's default bike. Cheap to buy, cheaper to run.
In short
The Hero Splendor Plus is a 97cc commuter that sells over two lakh units a month on the strength of 70 kmpl mileage, rock-bottom service costs and a mechanic in every village.
- Engine
- 97 cc
- Power
- 7.9 bhp
- Claimed mileage
- 70 kmpl
- Kerb weight
- 112 kg
What works
- Genuinely 65–70 kmpl in city riding
- Lowest service and spares cost in the segment
- Light, easy to handle for new riders
- Excellent resale value
What doesn't
- Drum brakes only, no disc option
- Feels strained above 70 km/h
- Basic ride quality on broken roads
Best for: First bike, Daily 20–40 km commute, Tight budget
Price and variants
Ex-showroom Delhi. On-road estimate for Delhi; other cities on the price page.
Ex-showroom Delhi, the Splendor Plus range runs from ₹75,500 (Self Drum Alloy) to ₹80,500 (Xtec) across 2 variants. The extra ₹5,000 buys digital console, bluetooth calls/sms alerts and led headlamp.
That makes it priced 8th lowest among the 21 commuter bikes we have reviewed. Its closest price rivals are the Platina 110 (₹298 more) and the CT 110 (₹653 less).
On the road in Delhi, budget about ₹87,900 for the base variant once 8% Delhi road tax, registration and five-year third-party insurance are added. Dealers often quote higher by bundling accessories, extended warranty and handling charges; all three are negotiable.
| Variant | Ex-showroom | Rough EMI |
|---|---|---|
Self Drum Alloy Kick + self start · Alloy wheels | ₹75,500 | |
Xtec Digital console · Bluetooth calls/SMS alerts · LED headlamp | ₹80,500 |
Mileage
Expect 60–70 kmpl from the Splendor Plus in everyday use against a claimed mileage of 70 kmpl. The 7% gap is smaller than most rivals manage.
Among the 21 commuter bikes we have reviewed it ranks 5th for mileage, 5 kmpl above the group average of 65 kmpl.
Engine and ride
Power comes from a 97cc single producing 7.9 bhp and 8.05 Nm, paired with a 4-speed. At 112 kg the power-to-weight figure is 71 bhp per tonne, which ranks 16 of 21 in its class here.
The torque and power figures are well balanced, so it neither needs to be revved hard nor feels lazy when you do.
Chassis hardware includes a combi-brake system, with a 130 mm drum up front and 130 mm drum at the rear.
Seat height is a low 785 mm, so riders around 5'2" and above can plant both feet at a stop.
Our review
Riding impressions and the buying advice a spec sheet cannot give.
Verdict
The Splendor Plus is not the best bike in any single category, and it does not need to be. It is the bike that costs least to own over five years, and for most Indian commuters that is the whole decision.
Riding it every day
The 97cc engine makes under 8 bhp, so acceleration is leisurely and you will be shifting down for flyovers with a pillion. Where it earns its keep is between 30 and 60 km/h in traffic: the gearing is short, the clutch is light, and the bike weighs nothing, so filtering through a jam is effortless. Real mileage from owners hovers around 65 kmpl, which is far closer to the claimed figure than most bikes manage.
Ride quality is firm. The 5-step rear shocks handle speed breakers fine, but sharp potholes come through to your spine. The seat is wide and flat, which is good for a pillion and bad for anyone over six feet.
What to know before buying
Both variants use drum brakes front and rear with CBS. There is no disc option, which is the biggest gap against the Honda Shine 125. The Xtec variant adds a digital console with Bluetooth call alerts and an LED headlamp for about ₹5,000 more; the LED alone is worth it if you ride after dark.
Who should buy it
Anyone buying their first bike, riding under 40 km a day, and planning to keep it for years. If your commute involves highways or a regular pillion, spend ₹10,000 more on a 125cc.
Features and colours
- LED headlamp
- Digital console
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Side-stand engine cut-off
- Combi-brake (CBS)
- Alloy wheels
- Tubeless tyres
- Engine kill switch
On safety kit the Splendor Plus has side-stand engine cut-off, combi-brake (cbs) and tubeless tyres. There is no ABS, which is legal at this engine size but worth knowing before a wet-weather ride.
Against Shine 125, it gets bluetooth connectivity that the rival does not.
What it lacks: front disc brake, which the rival offers. The safety items in that list matter more than the console.
It is offered in 5 colours: Black with Red, Black with Blue, Black with Grey, Force Silver and Black. Colour availability varies by variant and dealer stock.
Warranty, service and ownership
Standard warranty is 5 years or 70,000 km. After the free services, the recommended interval is every 3,000 km.
Service reach is excellent: Hero MotoCorp has about 9,000 dealer and workshop touchpoints across the country.
The Splendor Plus nameplate has been on sale since 1994. That maturity shows up as a deep used market, plentiful spares and mechanics who have seen every fault, which keeps running costs and resale predictable.
Splendor Plus: questions people ask
- What is the price of the Hero MotoCorp Splendor Plus?
- The Splendor Plus costs between ₹75,500 and ₹80,500 ex-showroom Delhi across 2 variants, as of September 2026. On-road price adds road tax, registration and insurance and varies by state.
- What is the on-road price of the Splendor Plus in Delhi?
- Roughly ₹87,900 for the base variant in Delhi: ₹75,500 ex-showroom plus ₹6,040 road tax, ₹1,100 registration and about ₹5,211 insurance. This is an estimate; dealer quotes include handling and accessories.
- What is the mileage of the Splendor Plus?
- Claimed mileage is 70 kmpl. Owners typically see 60–70 kmpl in mixed city and highway riding.
- How much does the Splendor Plus cost to run per month?
- Fuel works out to about ₹1.46 per km in Delhi, so a 30 km daily commute costs roughly ₹1,138 a month before servicing.
- What is the EMI for the Splendor Plus?
- With 10% down, a 36-month loan at 9.5% on the base variant comes to about ₹2,390 a month. A shorter tenure raises the EMI but cuts total interest; see the EMI calculator on the price page.
- What is the engine capacity and power of the Splendor Plus?
- It uses a 97cc engine producing 7.9 bhp and 8.05 Nm, with a 4-speed.
- Is the Splendor Plus suitable for short riders?
- Yes. Seat height is 785 mm, low for the class, so riders around 5'2" and above can reach the ground comfortably.
- Splendor Plus or Shine 125: which is better?
- The Shine 125 is ₹6,500 more expensive to start and less efficient at 55 kmpl against 70 kmpl. Pick the Splendor Plus for first bike, the Shine 125 for refined daily commuting. Our side-by-side comparison covers every spec.
- Which bikes are cheaper than the Splendor Plus?
- Among the 21 commuter bikes we have reviewed, the HF Deluxe (₹58,688), the Platina 100 (₹71,038), the Sport (₹65,714) start lower.
- Does the base Splendor Plus have a disc brake option?
- No. Every variant, including Xtec, uses a drum brake at both ends with CBS linking them. If you specifically want a front disc, you have to move to the Splendor Plus XTEC's costlier rivals like the Shine 125 Disc.
- Is the Xtec's Bluetooth console worth the extra money over the base Self Drum Alloy?
- Only if you actually want call and SMS alerts on the dash; it does not add power, mileage or brakes. Most buyers who just want the cheapest reliable commute are fine skipping it and saving the roughly ₹5,000 difference.
Splendor Plus vs its rivals
Around ₹75,500
Other bikes and scooters within 20% of the Splendor Plus's starting price.
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Other Hero MotoCorp models
Before you buy
Splendor Plus from
₹75,500