Hero Splendor 125 : In the fiercely competitive landscape of Indian motorcycling, few names carry the weight and recognition of the Hero Splendor.
Since its introduction over two decades ago, this unassuming commuter has consistently dominated sales charts, becoming synonymous with reliability, efficiency, and value.
Now, Hero MotoCorp has unveiled the most significant evolution in the model’s storied history – the Splendor 125, which combines the nameplate’s trusted virtues with meaningful upgrades in design, performance, and safety features.
Hero Splendor 125 Strategic Expansion of an Iconic Brand
The introduction of the Splendor 125 represents a carefully calculated move by Hero MotoCorp to leverage its most valuable brand asset while addressing changing consumer expectations and competitive pressures.
The legendary Splendor name now spans multiple engine capacities, from the base 100cc model through the established 110cc variants and now to this new 125cc offering.
“The Splendor nameplate has earned unprecedented trust among Indian consumers,” explains Pawan Munjal, Chairman and CEO of Hero MotoCorp, during the model’s launch event in New Delhi.
“With the Splendor 125, we’re building on that foundation while addressing the evolving needs of today’s commuter – greater performance, enhanced features, and more premium styling without compromising the core values that made the Splendor a household name.”
This expansion comes at a critical juncture in the Indian motorcycle market. While entry-level 100-110cc commuters continue to drive volumes, the 125cc segment has witnessed accelerated growth as urban commuters increasingly seek more capable machines that offer better highway performance and additional features while maintaining reasonable operating costs.
“The 125cc segment represents the sweet spot for many Indian consumers today,” notes Naveen Chauhan, Head of Sales and After-Sales at Hero MotoCorp.
“It offers tangibly better performance than 110cc models without the higher purchase and running costs associated with 150cc and larger motorcycles. For many customers, it’s the ideal balance.”
Hero Splendor 125 Design: Premium Evolution Without Revolution
One look at the Splendor 125 confirms Hero’s thoughtful approach to evolving this iconic model. The basic silhouette remains recognizably Splendor – an important consideration when dealing with such an established nameplate – but every panel has been redesigned with more contemporary styling cues.
The fuel tank features sharper contours with knee recesses that both improve ergonomics and add visual character. New side panels incorporate subtle creases and textures that elevate the design beyond the utilitarian appearance of earlier generations.
The tail section appears more integrated and refined, with a sleeker taillight assembly utilizing LED technology – a first for the Splendor family.
Chrome accents on the side panels and a textured finish on the engine covers add premium touches without veering into flashiness.
The instrument cluster housing receives a significant upgrade with a more angular design that incorporates the Splendor 125 badging, creating a distinct identity for this new variant.
“We were very conscious about balancing modernity with familiarity,” shares Malo Le Masson, Head of Strategy at Hero MotoCorp.
“The Splendor’s unpretentious design is part of its appeal. Our objective was to elevate the visual appeal while maintaining the approachable character that resonates with such a broad spectrum of riders.”
Color options reflect this premium positioning, with five choices available: Nexus Blue, Fiery Red, Panther Black, Noble Silver, and the distinctive Matte Copper that sets the top variant apart. Each colorway features thoughtfully applied graphics that add visual interest without appearing excessive or juvenile – an important consideration for the often conservative Splendor customer base.
Hero Splendor 125 Engine: More Performance Without Compromise
The heart of the Splendor 125 is, naturally, its new powerplant. The 125cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine represents more than just a displacement increase – it’s a comprehensively engineered unit developing 11.5 horsepower at 7,500rpm and 11Nm of torque at 6,000rpm.
These figures represent increases of approximately 25% in both horsepower and torque compared to the Splendor Plus 110cc variant, translating to noticeably improved acceleration and more confident highway cruising capability.
The engine maintains Hero’s emphasis on refinement with a counterbalancer that minimizes vibrations even at higher rpms.
“The development focus wasn’t simply on increasing power figures,” explains Vikram Kasbekar, Chief Technology Officer at Hero MotoCorp.
“We’ve carefully tuned the power delivery to maintain the Splendor’s trademark rideability while adding useful performance in real-world scenarios – merging with faster traffic, climbing inclines with a pillion, maintaining higher cruising speeds with less strain on the engine.”
Despite the increased performance, fuel efficiency remains impressive at a company-claimed 65 kilometers per liter under standard test conditions.
In typical commuting scenarios, owners can reasonably expect 55-60kmpl – figures that ensure the Splendor 125 maintains the economical operation that has been fundamental to the model’s success.
The transmission remains a 5-speed unit, but with revised ratios that better exploit the increased torque. The gear shift pattern incorporates an ‘all up’ design that has proven popular on Hero’s premium commuters like the Glamour, reducing the learning curve for riders upgrading from smaller motorcycles.
Hero Splendor 125 Safety and Feature Enhancements
Perhaps the most noteworthy upgrade from a safety perspective is the inclusion of a 240mm front disc brake as standard across all variants of the Splendor 125 – a significant departure from the Splendor’s traditional drum brake setup.
This is complemented by a 130mm rear drum brake, with Hero’s integrated braking system (IBS) ensuring balanced braking even for less experienced riders.
“The disc brake wasn’t simply a marketing checkmark for us,” insists Kasbekar. “With the increased performance of the 125cc engine, stopping power becomes more critical.
We’ve carefully calibrated the braking system to provide confident deceleration without being overly aggressive, which is important for riders who may be experiencing a disc brake for the first time.”
The suspension system has been appropriately upgraded to match the enhanced performance envelope. Conventional telescopic forks with 120mm of travel handle front suspension duties, while twin shock absorbers with 5-step preload adjustment manage the rear. The setup strikes a balance between comfort over rough surfaces and stability during more spirited riding.
The instrument cluster combines analog and digital elements, with a traditional speedometer accompanied by a digital display providing fuel level, trip meters, and service reminders.
Top variants add real-time fuel efficiency monitoring and a gear position indicator – thoughtful inclusions for efficiency-conscious commuters.
LED lighting is employed for the position lamp and tail light, improving visibility while reducing electrical load. The headlight remains a conventional halogen unit – a practical choice that ensures affordable replacement parts in rural areas where LED replacements might be less readily available.
Hero Splendor 125 Practicality: The Splendor’s Core Virtue Enhanced
While the performance and feature upgrades grab headlines, Hero hasn’t overlooked the practical considerations that have been central to the Splendor’s enduring success.
The seat height remains accessible at 785mm, accommodating riders of various statures – an important consideration in a country with diverse physical demographics.
The seat itself has been redesigned with thicker foam and a textured cover that provides better support for both rider and pillion during longer journeys.
Ground clearance increases slightly to 165mm, enhancing the motorcycle’s ability to negotiate the varied road conditions encountered across India.
The wheelbase extends by 20mm compared to the Splendor Plus, improving stability without significantly impacting maneuverability in congested urban environments.
Thoughtful touches abound, from the USB charging port located below the instrument cluster to the lockable storage compartment under the seat that can accommodate essential documents and small personal items.
The fuel tank capacity increases to 12 liters, providing a theoretical range exceeding 700 kilometers between fill-ups – a meaningful advantage for riders in areas with limited fueling infrastructure.
“The enhancements we’ve made complement rather than compromise the Splendor’s core virtues,” emphasizes Naveen Chauhan. “This remains a motorcycle designed for daily practicality, just with additional capabilities that expand its versatility.”
Hero Splendor 125 Market Positioning and Competitive Landscape
With an ex-showroom price ranging from ₹84,500 for the base variant to ₹90,500 for the top-spec model, the Splendor 125 positions itself in the heart of the premium commuter segment. This pricing places it in direct competition with established players like the Honda SP 125, Bajaj Pulsar 125, and TVS Raider 125.
“We’ve priced the Splendor 125 to reflect its enhanced capabilities while acknowledging the price sensitivity in this segment,” notes Niranjan Gupta, Chief Financial Officer at Hero MotoCorp. “The incremental cost over the Splendor Plus is justified by tangible improvements in performance, features, and overall product quality.”
Hero’s expansive sales and service network – the largest in the country with over 6,000 touchpoints – provides a significant competitive advantage, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where after-sales support often influences purchase decisions more heavily than marginal feature differences.
Initial market response suggests the strategy is resonating with consumers. Pre-bookings have exceeded internal projections by approximately 30%, with particularly strong interest from existing Splendor owners looking to upgrade while remaining within their trusted brand ecosystem.
Hero Splendor 125 Production and Availability
The Splendor 125 is being manufactured at Hero’s Haridwar facility, which has undergone upgrades to accommodate the model’s more sophisticated components. Production capacity is set at 25,000 units monthly initially, with the flexibility to scale up based on market demand.
Retail availability begins this month across Hero’s nationwide dealer network, with a phased rollout prioritizing urban and semi-urban markets where the 125cc segment has shown the strongest growth.
Rural dealerships will receive allocation in subsequent phases as Hero analyzes initial sales patterns and adjusts production accordingly.
“We’re taking a measured approach to the rollout,” explains Ranjivjit Singh, Chief Growth Officer at Hero MotoCorp. “While we’re confident in the product’s appeal, we want to ensure that our supply chain and dealer preparedness are fully aligned before we push for maximum volumes.”
Hero Splendor 125 Looking Forward: Evolution of an Icon
The introduction of the Splendor 125 represents more than just another variant in Hero’s extensive lineup – it signals the company’s approach to evolving its most valuable brand assets to meet changing market dynamics while respecting the core attributes that built their success.
“The Splendor nameplate isn’t static; it must evolve while remaining true to its essence,” reflects Pawan Munjal.
“The 125cc variant represents the largest step in that evolution to date, but the foundation remains the same – dependability, efficiency, and value that have made the Splendor India’s motorcycle of choice for generations.”
As urban migration continues and road infrastructure improves across India, the demand for commuter motorcycles with enhanced performance and features will likely accelerate.
With the Splendor 125, Hero has positioned its flagship brand to capture this shift while protecting its dominant position in the world’s largest two-wheeler market.
For millions of Indians who associate motorcycling with the Splendor name, this new variant offers a compelling reason to stay within the Hero family as their needs and expectations evolve – perhaps the most valuable achievement for a brand with such deep-rooted loyalty among its customer base.
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