[TusharK]

The Hero Splendor was the highest-selling 2-wheeler in India over the 11 months from January to November 2024.



Hero MotoCorp sold 3.3 million units of the Splendor during the first 11 months of the year, a growth of 9%. In 2023, the bike maker had sold 3.06 million units of the popular commuter bike.

The Honda Activa is the second-best-selling 2-wheeler with sales of 2.39 million units. That is a 17.5% growth compared to 2023 when 2.04 million units were sold.

In third place is the Honda Shine, with 1.74 million units sold. Shine sales registered a growth of 39.9% compared to 2023.

The Bajaj Pulsar is the fourth highest-selling 2-wheeler with total sales of 1.32 million units. Pulsar sales increased by 12.1% this year from 1.18 million units in 2023.

The Hero Deluxe comes fifth on the list with 9,43,633 units, followed by the TVS Jupiter, of which 9,20,835 units have been sold in the first 11 months of 2024.

The Suzuki Access is seventh with total sales of 6,66,485 units – a growth of 21.9%, and in eighth place is the TVS XL100 moped with sales of 4,82,058 units. The Bajaj Platina is ranked ninth, followed by the TVS Raider with 4,27,560 units and 4,19,283 units, respectively.

Source: ET Auto

Link to Team-BHP news

[GTO]

The "Splendor" is really the "Alto" (or 800??) of the 2-wheeler market. Back when I used to ride bikes, I remember the Splendor being a best-seller.

As you know, the Alto is no longer a top seller. In fact, the Alto is barely staying within the Top 20 list. When will the motorcycle market have its "Ertiga" or "Creta" moment? When will the market move up?

Or, is the Indian two-wheeler market too commuter & economy focused?

[hikozaru]

Originally Posted by GTO

When will the motorcycle market have its "Ertiga" or "Creta" moment? When will the market move up?

Or, is the Indian two-wheeler market too commuter & economy focused?

I would rather buy an honest splendor over an 'upmarket' RE350 which returns a third of the fuel economy, whose spares cost as much as a duke 390, is much heavier, runs much hotter, has terrible ergos (heavy clutches, thumb oriented switchgear) and still somehow not much faster, or much more comfortable or much less vibey to justify such a premium.

[i10_sanjay]

Splendor and Activa sales will not decrease in the coming years, instead it will be the new products that will take over the sales charts like it did with the new car sales. That moment will definitely come, but when will it come is the million dollar question!

[Auto_Buff03]

In my opinion, Splendor and Activa will continue to rule the two-wheeler market, as people still expect maximum fuel efficiency while travelling from point A to B. Moreover, one can add 2-3 lakhs more and buy a decent car when compared to a 650cc bike.

[Gansan]

My Y2k Splendor is coming up for it's third FC renewal in January. It has 190k km on the odo and still returns 60+ km per litre, effortlessly carry two people in city traffic and is very very reliable. The horizontal engine is bullet proof almost. Even has a nice, somewhat "mini Bulletish" beat during idle! Does what it is meant to do in a very fuss free and engaging manner. Can surprise with it's torque at city traffic speeds and can run circles around RE bikes (no offence!). Will run out of breath on the highway, but it is not meant for highways. Though I regularly see people riding it to their native places 200-300 km away from Chennai.

It is not popular merely because it is an economical commuter. There are plenty of other commuters, but the Splendor strikes a chord with it's owners! The design is very pleasing to the eyes.

[RD410]

Originally Posted by GTO

The "Splendor" is really the "Alto" (or 800??) of the 2-wheeler market. Back when I used to ride bikes, I remember the Splendor being a best-seller.

As you know, the Alto is no longer a top seller. In fact, the Alto is barely staying within the Top 20 list. When will the motorcycle market have its "Ertiga" or "Creta" moment? When will the market move up?

Or, is the Indian two-wheeler market too commuter & economy focused?

It's simple. It's like comparing a freight train with a family car. Splendor & Activa, both derived from the legendary Honda Super Cub, are designed to be the ultimate workhorses, to pull heavy loads, to endure any kind of abuse the owner may put them through. Splendor's box section double cradle frame is so tough, that it can carry 4 adults without even the hint of chassis flex. That horizontal engine offers so much load pulling torque, that carrying heavy loads up steep inclines is a breeze. It has 18 inch wheels, which helps it glide through bad roads, while the competition has 17 inchers. Fuel efficiency was never it's first priority, at 65kpl, Splendor is the least fuel efficient 100cc bike. Now the competition - Shine 100, Platina, Radeon, etc in comparison all are like light weight bycycles fitted with engines, designed to deliver the highest FE possible. Add the ever appealing retro design to the mix and it's clear why Splendor outsells everything.

Originally Posted by Gansan

My Y2k Splendor is coming up for it's third FC renewal in January. It has 190k km on the odo and still returns 60+ km per litre, effortlessly carry two people in city traffic and is very very reliable. The horizontal engine is bullet proof almost. Even has a nice, somewhat "mini Bulletish" beat during idle! Does what it is meant to do in a very fuss free and engaging manner. Can surprise with it's torque at city traffic speeds and can run circles around RE bikes (no offence!). Will run out of breath on the highway, but it is not meant for highways. Though I regularly see people riding it to their native places 200-300 km away from Chennai.

It is not popular merely because it is an economical commuter. There are plenty of other commuters, but the Splendor strikes a chord with it's owners! The design is very pleasing to the eyes.

Ah the Euro 1 Splendor with that short silencer. Back to the 90's when there were no pollution related engine restrictions. That 97.2 cc engine feels the best in Euro 1, so free revving, with that lovely burbling exhaust note and just how easily it's able to cruise at 70-80. Euro 1 also had the best FE among all Splendor variants, easliy able to give 75-80 kpl. Only the bs6.2 version comes close to Euro 1 in terms of FE.

[Formula1]

Splendor is one of those rare cases where the sticker job gets better and better with time.

Why though? Are they saving any money with the minimalism? Or... Does Hero actually have good taste?!

[Rudraksh]

In recent times for facelifts or upgrades, Hero has done a better job on Splendor.

The colors and the techs required for 100cc are on point. The new LED and disc brake updates make it a little more modern.

[Geo_Ipe]

Originally Posted by hikozaru

I would rather buy an honest splendor over an 'upmarket' RE350 which returns a third of the fuel economy, whose spares cost as much as a duke 390, is much heavier, runs much hotter, has terrible ergos (heavy clutches, thumb oriented switchgear) and still somehow not much faster, or much more comfortable or much less vibey to justify such a premium.

Yet, the RE Classic 350 churns out 35-40k units per month on a regular basis. If you take all the variants with the J series 350cc motor, monthly sales are ~50-60k!

The Splendor does its job splendidly, and has been the best selling motorcycle for years together! However, creadit where it's due - to Sidharth Lal & co for making such a motorcycle perform so well over so many years! The aspirational value RE has built up has been so hard to match.

[hikozaru]

Originally Posted by RD410

That 97.2 cc engine feels the best in Euro 1, so free revving, with that lovely burbling exhaust note and just how easily it's able to cruise at 70-80.

I sometimes mistake one of these old 100cc bikes for a RE650. The burble is real.

[saikishor]

Originally Posted by GTO

The "Splendor" is really the "Alto" (or 800??) of the 2-wheeler market. Back when I used to ride bikes, I remember the Splendor being a best-seller.

As you know, the Alto is no longer a top seller. In fact, the Alto is barely staying within the Top 20 list. When will the motorcycle market have its "Ertiga" or "Creta" moment? When will the market move up?

Or, is the Indian two-wheeler market too commuter & economy focused?

Wont happen anytime soon. The Activa might take the lead from Splendor in the future but the 2w segment wont have its Ertiga moment anytime soon. If it worked like that, an RE or an upmarket Pulsar shouldve taken the throne away much before, leaving Hero in shambles.

[Samarth 619]

Originally Posted by GTO

The "Splendor" is really the "Alto" (or 800??) of the 2-wheeler market. Back when I used to ride bikes, I remember the Splendor being a best-seller.

As you know, the Alto is no longer a top seller. In fact, the Alto is barely staying within the Top 20 list. When will the motorcycle market have its "Ertiga" or "Creta" moment? When will the market move up?

Or, is the Indian two-wheeler market too commuter & economy focused?

Certainly when economy grows, people start earning more and look for more premium cars.
However, I think the 2 wheeler market will always be economy focused, considering that the entire low-growth semi-rural to rural market looks at motorcycles first, specially the known to be reliable ones.

But diving deep into the figures, we can see that the growth figures for other brands are increasing. I know giants grow lesser, but this suggests the other brands are making their name steadily.

I dont know for sure, but I think the Splendor being the only brand here that has completed 30 years, that too from a leading joint venture like Hero Honda, might have to do something with its leadership.
Probably, the old gen rider does advise the new gen to get the Splendor?

[The_Apex]

Two wheeler too can basically be categorised as utilitarian, premium and performance/adventure category based on usage and aspirations.
And the max sales number are confined to utilitarian and bit of entry level premium offerings.

And in recent years we are seeing a change in consumer mindset where people , particularly the youth, are aspiring to own a premium sub-500 cc machines. Hence the increased products in the said category.

If we talk about the Splendor, it has all the checkboxes ticked to be the highest selling utilitarian commuter:
Frugality - check
Value for money - check
Low maintenance - check
Robustness - check

And above all it delivered the values it was based on. Hence it has earned its rightful place since an era, where good roads or even petrol bunks were not that widespread.

An interesting find would be to see the numbers of Splendor sold with Honda JV and after the separation of the Titans.

And truly with increase in spending capacity our population is increasing and people moving from poverty to better economic strata too is increasing. (Example delivery partners etc.)
So I think the utilitarian class would still remain on top.

[SR5471]

I own its cousin,the humble HH Passion. Bought in 2002,I have spent less than 3000 rupees only for parts. This excludes tyres,filters and oil changes.It is simple,reliable,comfortable and very fuel efficient. Brand new the seats were super comfortable.

However I feel bikes made by Hero after the split with Honda don't have the same quality of those built during the joint venture.