2021 Hero Splendor: A detailed review of my humble commuter bike

The bike is as basic as it gets, comes with an analog speedometer and fuel gauge, along with indicators for the side stand, neutral, and high beam.

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• Model: 2021 Hero Splendor Plus i3s
• Kilometers Covered: 9,500
• Garage Companions: 1968 Royal Enfield G2, 2004 Honda Activa, 2019 Pulsar 150

Note to readers: This review is based on my real-world daily city usage experience, rather than focusing solely on the bike’s power figures and specifications or features.

Buying Decision: One of my relatives purchased the bike but found it unsuitable for their daily needs and my dad bought it from them, as we needed an additional vehicle at home. The bike had only clocked 300 km when I first started using it. Initially, it mostly stayed parked, used only for occasional short trips. However, for the past 8 months, it has been my daily commuter, covering a 34 km round trip to the office.

Features and experience:

The bike is as basic as it gets, comes with an analog speedometer and fuel gauge, along with indicators for the side stand, neutral, and high beam.

The switchgear includes a self-start switch, standard indicator switches, a high/low beam button, a horn button, and an i3s start/stop switch. While most switches are of decent quality, the i3s switch feels quite cheap. I rarely use the start/stop feature, and it’s almost always turned off.

The rearview mirrors provide clear view of what's behind.

Headlights are standard yellow halogens which are sufficient for city use.

The toolbox offers minimal space, just enough to carry essential papers, with no additional storage available.

The bikes comes with drum brakes at both the front and rear, and performs adequately in city rides but only up to 60 kph speed. You won't want to risk riding it at anything above that as the brakes aren't sufficient for emergency situations and also there's no abs.

In heavy summer traffic, you might feel some heat on your legs, but aside from that, the engine doesn’t overheat.

Engine and gearbox: The engine isn’t particularly eager to rev, but with proper gearing, it keeps you within the power band. The gears are short so you will have to shift until 4th gear even at 45kph. The bike allows you to ride at low speeds in higher gears, which is convenient for city commuting. Gear shifts are smooth with no false neutrals, and the clutch is much lighter than on my Pulsar 150, making it easier to navigate through dense traffic without straining fingers.

Build quality and styling: The bike is free from unnecessary plastics or styling elements, which is a plus. Everything present serves a function and is well-built for its purpose, so you don’t have to worry about anything failing in day-to-day use. In terms of styling, this 2021 model closely resembles previous generations and doesn’t stand out compared to the current Splendor models, which feature daytime running LEDs and digital meters. It’s a very common and neutral-looking bike.

Paint quality: The paint quality is average—not particularly good or bad. I’ve noticed the paint on the fuel tank getting slightly dull, but this might be because I sometimes place my office bag on it.

Space and Comfort: The seat is long enough to comfortably accommodate two people of average build. The seat upholstery is a bit softer compared to my Pulsar 150, but for me, the Splendor’s seat becomes uncomfortable after 30-35 minutes due to its narrow width. There’s decent space even for a pillion. While not recommended, three average-sized people can squeeze onto the seat, though it will be tight. The bike is ideal for riders between 5'2" and 5'10" with a normal build; it may not be as comfortable for those who are particularly tall or wide.

Pros:

• Ease of Ride: The bike is extremely flickable in heavy traffic, making it easy to maneuver due to its lightweight build. You can even pick up speed from 20 kph in 4th gear if necessary. The first gear is useless 90% of the time as its too short but it’s possible to cruise in 4th gear for about 60% of the time, even in city conditions.
• Mileage: I use this bike exclusively within Ahmedabad city, primarily during peak office hours (9 AM and 6 PM), and it consistently delivers a mileage of 60-62 km/L. This has been my favorite aspect of the bike so far.
• Reliable Workhorse: Whether it's heavy rain, muddy terrain, or broken roads, the Splendor handles everything with ease. You never have to worry about something going wrong with it.
• Carefree Ownership: Spare parts are affordable and readily available. I follow the owner's manual for maintenance, either doing it myself or visiting local garages. You don't have to worry about something breaking, even if someone rear-ends you in bumper-to-bumper traffic—a frequent occurrence during peak hours over here.
• Suspension: The suspension is well-tuned for comfort, easily absorbing broken roads and potholes. However, it does feel a bit bouncy sometimes.

Cons:

• Engine and power: The bike lacks overall power. If you're someone who enjoys riding fast, this bike isn't for you. It takes its time to reach 60 kph due to frequent gear changes till 4th gear to avoid straining the engine, it's slightly slower than the Activa 110 for comparison. You'll always find yourself wanting more power, and overtaking requires a little careful planning, as you might struggle to gain speed quickly compared to a 150cc motorcycle. The engine is not rev happy and it gets quite noisy if reved to its limit. I do find it boring to ride as per my taste but also its just about adequate for city commute so can't blame.
• Seat Comfort: I ride 17 km every evening in traffic, which takes about 45 minutes. After 30 minutes, the narrow seat starts to become uncomfortable, causing discomfort. I'm 5'8" with body weight of 63kg for reference. This is one of the bike’s biggest drawbacks, and if I were to buy a new bike in the future, it would likely be due to this issue, even more so than the lack of power.
• Speed: The bike is comfortable to ride at speeds till 55-60 kph. Beyond that, the engine feels strained, and it takes much longer to gain any additional speed. The brakes become less reliable at anything beyond that, and vibrations in the mirrors and handlebars become more noticeable.

Other:

The only mechanical issue I ever faced with bike was during initial months of ownership, the bike would turning off automatically while riding (not the i3s start stop) despite of clutch pulled in completely but it was resolved by Hero service center guys.

Final Thoughts:

If you're considering buying this bike, it's best suited for those who need a durable, low-maintenance vehicle for city rides with good mileage. If you expect more—like speed, power, or long-distance comfort—you might want to explore other options, such as the TVS Raider or moving up to the 150cc segment. In a nut shell Splendor is a no-nonsense bike that prioritizes ease of mind and cost savings over the thrill of the ride.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.