The Hero Splendor has been India's best-selling motorcycle for over 25 consecutive years. Not the best-performing, not the best-looking — the best-selling. It is the definition of what India's motorcycle market actually wants: 70+ kmpl mileage, ₹75,000 on-road, Maruti-level service access, and absolute reliability for 80,000+ km. Everything else is secondary.
A reader from Patna had ridden a Hero Splendor Plus for 11 years and 94,000 km before the engine finally needed its first major service. He had done three chain replacements, four tyre changes, and routine oil changes every 3,000 km. No other significant mechanical work in 11 years of daily use across Bihar's roads — which are not known for their smoothness. When he came to us asking whether to repair the old bike or buy a new Splendor, the answer was straightforward: at 94,000 km, the new Splendor IQ+ at ₹75,490 on-road in Patna was cheaper than the psychological cost of the next uncertainty. He bought the new one. His old Splendor sold for ₹22,000 in the used market — still running. That is the Splendor story in every state in India.
Hero Splendor price in India (August 2026): Splendor Plus Kick ₹67,421, Splendor Plus Self ₹70,521, Splendor Plus Xtec ₹75,521, Splendor Plus Xtec OBD2B ₹77,421, Splendor IQ+ ₹78,121 (all ex-showroom Delhi). Best variant: Splendor Plus Xtec at ₹75,521 — gets Bluetooth connectivity, USB charging, LED headlight. Best mileage: 80–85 kmpl real-world highway. Hero's service network: 6,000+ touch points across India — no competitor comes close. Best for: daily commuters, rural and semi-urban buyers, anyone prioritising running cost and reliability above everything else.
Hero Splendor Price — All Variants (August 2026)
| Variant | Start Type | Price (Ex-showroom Delhi) | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Splendor Plus Kick | Kick only | ₹67,421 | Lowest entry price, rural preference |
| Splendor Plus Self | Self + Kick | ₹70,521 | Self-start — practical minimum for most buyers |
| Splendor Plus Xtec | Self + Kick | ₹75,521 | Best Value — Bluetooth, USB, LED headlight |
| Splendor Plus Xtec OBD2B | Self + Kick | ₹77,421 | OBD2B compliant — same features as Xtec |
| Splendor IQ+ | Self + Kick | ₹78,121 | Connected tech, enhanced instrument cluster |
All prices ex-showroom Delhi. On-road price adds approximately 10–14% (RTO + insurance + handling) depending on state. Rajasthan and UP have among the lowest road tax rates for two-wheelers; Maharashtra and Karnataka are higher. The Splendor Plus Xtec at ₹75,521 ex is the recommended variant for most buyers — self-start, LED headlight, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB charging at the best price in the range that includes all practical features.
Hero Splendor Engine and Specifications
The Hero Splendor's 97.2cc OHC (overhead cam) single-cylinder air-cooled engine has been refined over decades into arguably the most reliable commuter motorcycle engine in the world by the measure of total units in daily use. The 9 PS and 8.05 Nm are not numbers that impress on a spec sheet — they are perfectly calibrated for the 0–60 km/h city and highway commuting that constitutes 95% of Indian motorcycle use. The engine's long-stroke configuration prioritises torque delivery at low RPM (where city traffic operates) over high-RPM power. It starts reliably in winter, runs cleanly in summer heat, and tolerates the wide variation in petrol quality found across Indian states without complaint.
The IBS (Integrated Braking System) on current Splendor variants applies partial rear brake force when the front brake is applied — improving braking stability without the complexity and cost of full CBS. This is the most relevant safety feature for the commuter riding profile where emergency braking is the primary safety scenario.
Hero Splendor Mileage — Real World vs ARAI
| Riding Condition | ARAI | Real-World | Monthly Fuel Cost (1,500 km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| City stop-go | 80.6 kmpl | 65–72 kmpl | ₹2,145–₹2,375 |
| Mixed city + highway | 80.6 kmpl | 72–78 kmpl | ₹1,978–₹2,145 |
| Highway (80 km/h steady) | 80.6 kmpl | 78–85 kmpl | ₹1,817–₹1,978 |
At ₹103/litre petrol and 70 kmpl real-world city mileage, a 1,500 km/month commuter spends approximately ₹2,207/month on fuel — lower than any 4-wheeler alternative and competitive with CNG two-wheelers in terms of per-km cost. The 9.8-litre fuel tank at 70 kmpl city mileage gives a theoretical range of 686 km per tank — in practice, riders fill at 500 km for comfort margin, making the Splendor a genuinely low-maintenance-stop motorcycle for long-distance commuting.
Hero Splendor vs Bajaj CT110 vs Honda Shine vs TVS Radeon
| Spec | Hero Splendor Plus Xtec | Bajaj CT110X | Honda Shine 100 | TVS Radeon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (ex-showroom) | ₹75,521 | ₹62,427 | ₹68,900 | ₹78,427 |
| Engine | 97.2cc OHC | 115.45cc | 97.2cc OHC | 109.7cc |
| Power | 9 PS | 8.6 PS | 7.68 PS | 8.4 PS |
| ARAI Mileage | 80.6 kmpl | 74.3 kmpl | 65 kmpl | 69.3 kmpl |
| Kerb weight | 112 kg | 118 kg | 106 kg | 121 kg |
| Bluetooth/USB | ✅ Xtec | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Service network | 6,000+ touch points | Good (Bajaj) | Good (Honda) | Good (TVS) |
| Resale value | Best in class | Good | Good | Moderate |
The Splendor's ARAI mileage (80.6 kmpl) is the highest in this comparison. The Honda Shine 100 is a strong competitor with Honda's reliability reputation, but the Splendor's service network advantage is significant in rural areas where Honda dealer density is lower. The Bajaj CT110X is the most rugged option for rough terrain buyers. The TVS Radeon is feature-rich but slightly heavier and lower mileage.
Hero Splendor On-Road Price — Key Cities
| City | Splendor Plus Self | Splendor Plus Xtec | Splendor IQ+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | ~₹79,500 | ~₹84,800 | ~₹88,000 |
| Mumbai | ~₹81,200 | ~₹86,600 | ~₹89,900 |
| Bengaluru | ~₹82,000 | ~₹87,500 | ~₹90,700 |
| Patna | ~₹78,200 | ~₹83,400 | ~₹86,600 |
| Lucknow | ~₹78,600 | ~₹83,900 | ~₹87,100 |
| Jaipur | ~₹77,900 | ~₹83,100 | ~₹86,300 |
| Chennai | ~₹80,500 | ~₹85,900 | ~₹89,200 |
Splendor Plus Xtec — What the Connected Features Actually Do
The Xtec variant's connected features — Bluetooth connectivity via the Hero Connect app, USB Type-A charging port, and LED headlight — are the primary differentiators over the base Splendor Plus Self at ₹5,000 extra. What they mean in practice:
Bluetooth + Hero Connect app: Connects the instrument cluster to your smartphone. Provides turn-by-turn navigation arrows on the speedometer display (useful for riders who cannot safely look at a phone), call/SMS notifications on the cluster display, trip data logging, and service reminders. For city commuters who use navigation daily, the cluster navigation eliminates the need for a phone mount. For riders covering long distances, the service reminder integration is genuinely useful.
USB Type-A charging port: 5V/1A output — charges a smartphone at approximately 50% of fast-charging speed. Adequate for maintaining charge during a commute; not fast enough to charge from dead in a single 30-minute ride. Located under the seat for cable routing convenience.
LED headlight: Meaningfully brighter and longer throw than the halogen headlight on base variants — the most practically significant upgrade of the three, particularly for night riding on unlit rural roads where the Splendor is heavily used.
Hero Splendor Buying Tips
- Always buy self-start — even for rural use: The kick-start variant (₹67,421) saves ₹3,100 over the self-start. A self-starter that fails costs ₹2,000–3,000 to repair. More importantly, the psychological convenience of self-start is worth the premium for daily use at any age. The kick-start variant is a legacy option — the self-start Splendor Plus is the practical minimum
- Xtec is worth the ₹5,000 premium over Plus Self: LED headlight alone justifies most of the ₹5,000 premium for anyone who rides in low-light conditions. Bluetooth navigation and USB charging are practical bonuses. The Xtec is the recommended variant for buyers in semi-urban and urban areas
- Buy from a Hero authorised dealer only — not a roadside aggregator: Hero MotoCorp's warranty and free service schedule (three free services in the first year) require purchase from an authorised Arena dealership. Roadside dealers offering "discounts" on ex-showroom price often exclude these services or supply vehicles without the full warranty documentation
- The 3,000 km oil change schedule is non-negotiable for longevity: The Splendor's extraordinary long-term reliability (the Patna reader's 94,000 km in 11 years) is inseparable from consistent 3,000 km oil changes with Hero-specified 10W30 engine oil. Extending oil change intervals to 5,000 km (as many riders do informally) significantly reduces engine lifespan on air-cooled engines operating in Indian summer temperatures
- Resale value at 3–5 years is among the best in any vehicle category: A 3-year-old Splendor in good condition retains 60–65% of its ex-showroom value. In rural markets, well-maintained Splendors command premium prices because buyers trust the brand's reliability implicitly. This resale strength partly offsets the higher initial cost versus Bajaj CT110
Hero Splendor — Common Buying Mistakes
- Buying the kick-start variant to save ₹3,100: The saving is real but small relative to the convenience cost over 5+ years of daily use. Self-start is not a luxury feature on a ₹75,000 motorcycle — it is the baseline expectation. Only buy kick-start if the application is specifically for areas where battery maintenance is difficult (very remote locations with no charging infrastructure)
- Expecting performance comparable to 150cc motorcycles: The Splendor is optimised for fuel efficiency and reliability at commuter speeds — not performance. 9 PS produces a 0–60 km/h time of approximately 8–9 seconds, a top speed of 85–90 km/h, and noticeably strained character above 80 km/h sustained. Buyers who regularly need highway speeds above 80 km/h should consider the Honda Shine 125 or Hero Glamour 125cc instead
- Skipping first-year free services because the bike "feels fine": Hero provides three free services in the first year at specific mileage intervals. These services include factory-specified adjustments to valve clearance, chain tension, and carburetion/fuel injection — adjustments that maintain the engine's long-term calibration. Skipping them does not void the warranty but reduces the engine's long-term precision. Use all three
- Fitting non-Hero chain and sprocket sets at first replacement: Third-party chain and sprocket sets are available at 40–60% of Hero OEM prices. The cost saving at first replacement (approximately ₹1,500 saved) is erased if the non-OEM set wears faster and requires earlier replacement. Hero OEM chain and sprocket sets are calibrated for the Splendor's specific power delivery and are the correct replacement parts
⚠️ Disclaimer: Hero Splendor prices and variant specifications are subject to change. Hero MotoCorp periodically revises pricing and introduces OBD compliance updates. All prices listed are ex-showroom India as of August 2026 — verify current on-road pricing at your nearest Hero MotoCorp authorised dealership.
25 Years. 6,000 Service Points. 80 kmpl. India's Most Trusted Commuter Motorcycle.
The Hero Splendor does not need to be the most exciting motorcycle in India — it needs to be the most reliable, the most economical to run, and the most supported by a service network that reaches every district in the country. It is all three. The Splendor Plus Xtec at ₹75,521 ex-showroom delivers self-start, LED headlight, Bluetooth navigation, and USB charging at a price that keeps running costs at ₹2,200/month for a 1,500 km commuter. The Patna reader's 94,000 km in 11 years is not an outlier — it is what the Splendor delivers for buyers who follow the maintenance schedule. Buy the Xtec. Change the oil at 3,000 km. Use the free services. That is the complete Splendor ownership guide.
Hero Splendor price in India (August 2026, ex-showroom Delhi): Splendor Plus Kick — ₹67,421; Splendor Plus Self — ₹70,521; Splendor Plus Xtec — ₹75,521; Splendor Plus Xtec OBD2B — ₹77,421; Splendor IQ+ — ₹78,121. On-road price adds approximately 10–14% for RTO, insurance, and handling charges depending on state. Best variant: Splendor Plus Xtec at ₹75,521 — gets self-start, LED headlight, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB charging at the best price in the range. All prices are subject to change — verify at nearest Hero MotoCorp authorised dealership.
Hero Splendor mileage: ARAI certified 80.6 kmpl. Real-world mileage in city stop-go traffic: 65–72 kmpl. Real-world mixed city + highway: 72–78 kmpl. Real-world highway at steady 80 km/h: 78–85 kmpl. The Splendor delivers the highest real-world fuel efficiency of any commuter motorcycle in India in its class. At 70 kmpl city average and ₹103/litre petrol, a 1,500 km/month commuter spends approximately ₹2,207/month on fuel. Mileage is maximised by maintaining consistent throttle input, changing engine oil at 3,000 km intervals, and keeping tyre pressure at the recommended 28 PSI (front) and 32 PSI (rear).
Best Hero Splendor variant to buy: Splendor Plus Xtec (₹75,521 ex-showroom Delhi) for most buyers — self-start, LED headlight (most important practical upgrade), Bluetooth connectivity with Hero Connect app for navigation and notifications, USB Type-A charging port, and all the reliability features of the base Splendor Plus. The ₹5,000 premium over the Self variant is justified by the LED headlight alone for anyone who rides in low-light conditions. The Splendor IQ+ (₹78,121) adds a more sophisticated connected experience but the Xtec covers daily practical needs at the better price. Avoid the kick-start variant unless the specific use case requires it — the ₹3,100 saving over the Self is not worth the daily convenience cost.
Hero Splendor vs Honda Shine 100 comparison: Hero Splendor Plus Xtec (₹75,521 ex) vs Honda Shine 100 (₹68,900 ex — base, no Bluetooth/LED). Splendor advantages: better ARAI mileage (80.6 kmpl vs 65 kmpl — a significant real-world difference), wider service network (6,000+ Hero touch points vs Honda's good but smaller network, especially in rural areas), better resale value, Bluetooth + LED at Xtec level. Honda Shine 100 advantages: Honda's reliability reputation, slightly lower base price, refined OHC engine with similar Honda build quality, lighter kerb weight (106 kg vs 112 kg). Choose Splendor if: mileage is the primary consideration (the 15 kmpl real-world difference is substantial over 5 years), you are in a rural or semi-urban area where Hero's service network is stronger, or Bluetooth navigation is important. Choose Honda Shine if: you prefer Honda's brand and slightly lower entry price, or are in a city where Honda service is conveniently located.
A Hero Splendor with proper maintenance (3,000 km oil changes, Hero-specified 10W30 engine oil, timely chain and tyre replacement) routinely reaches 80,000–1,20,000 km before requiring major engine work. Many Splendors in daily rural use reach 1,50,000 km with only consumable replacements. The engine's long-term reliability is a function of its design (long-stroke, low-stress air-cooled OHC) and the maintenance schedule. The three most important maintenance actions for maximum Splendor lifespan: oil change at 3,000 km without exception, chain lubrication every 500 km, and tyre pressure at recommended levels. Neglecting oil changes beyond 5,000 km is the single most common cause of premature engine wear on high-mileage Splendors.
Hero Splendor Plus Xtec (₹75,521 ex-showroom Delhi) is the connected variant of the Splendor Plus range, adding three features over the standard Self variant: LED headlight (brighter, longer throw than halogen — most practically important upgrade, especially for night riding on unlit roads), Bluetooth connectivity via Hero Connect app (turn-by-turn navigation on instrument cluster display, call/SMS notifications, trip data, service reminders — useful for daily navigation without a phone mount), and USB Type-A charging port (5V/1A — charges smartphones during commute). The Xtec costs ₹5,000 more than the Splendor Plus Self (₹70,521). The LED headlight and Bluetooth navigation together justify this premium for urban and semi-urban buyers. Engine, frame, suspension, and all mechanical specifications are identical to the standard Splendor Plus — the Xtec package is electronics and lighting only.
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