When we talk about a bike, named as “splendor”, the first thing that hits our mind is the trust of this simple but magical motorcycle, which has ruled the Indian market for more than a decade.Over the years there were many updates of the splendor; recently HeroMotoCorp has announced a new avatar of the Splendor, the Hero Splendor iSmart. Though I didn’t get enough time to analyze the engine, I bring you the first impression of the new splendor iSmart.
Features:
This bike is heavily loaded with features which can give any other bike in 100cc segment a run for its money. The best feature of this bike is the smart ignition control, a market first by offered by Hero in 100cc segment. In smart ignition control, the engine turns off if the gear is kept idle in neutral for 30sec, and starts immediately after pressing clutch. This feature will help save lot of fuel for everyday commuters
Apart from smart control of engine, there are many other features installed in this bike,
· Electric self start
· Side stand indicator
· Split pillion grab handle
· Passing Switch (which was not present in old splendor)
· New spring suspensions
· Side stand indicator
· Split pillion grab handle
· Passing Switch (which was not present in old splendor)
· New spring suspensions
Styling :
The iSmart looks completely different from the old splendor; it has nice curves black coated engine, black coated exhaust and black alloy wheels. It has nice graphics which blends nicely with the design of this bike. The alloy wheels has thin ring of radium reflectors looks very nice, there are reflectors positioned on mud guard of the front wheel useful safety feature during night riding. The tool box has a new look with some graphics. Fuel knob is also quiet big very comfortable to access. OverAll styling is pretty nice, it is not over styled nor it is under styled, looks decent 100cc bike.
Lights :
Lighting specs are same as of Hero Passion Pro but looks quite different from Passion. It goes with the design of the iSmart and looks quite nice. The turn signal lamps are fitted with amber bulb with clear lens.
Riding Comfort:
As compared to old splendor the new seat is better; I didn’t get a chance to ride this bike for long distance so I won’t be able to comment anything about it now.
Engine :
The engine is borrowed from the old one, there is no change at all in the engine, I guess Hero want to keep customers trust alive on this bike.
Conclusion:
The new iSmart looks attractive, nicely priced at around INR 60,000/- but it has some serious competition from the Bajaj Discovers and Honda Shines.
On my verdict this bike earns an 8.5/10 rating.
Go for HONDA Dream Neo 2013 Technology Bike with HET engine(74 KM/L) by original Honda,Hero is using same engine which they introduced in 1983,why to buy 1983 technology engine in 2014.Go for Honda the original one,These bikes are now going BPL TV way(as BPL was no 1 in 1990 today it is not there and Samsung/LG killed it) in due course.HERO/Bajaj bikes are having same fate.They are in panic.They are changing model every 2nd month to improve sale.Their engines are reqiuring repair with in 2-3 years as quality of engine has gone down due to sub standard parts being used by them,today if some body has 2005 bike, repairing same is better than buying a new one,any comments
ReplyDeleteWhat foolishness. hero changed only name.still Honda giving parts.maybe 2018 Honda will stop their sharing.
DeleteHi Nikhil,
ReplyDeleteDear Sir, Today Hero is using Honda Technology, 31 Dec.,2014 onward they have to change engine to new technology.Why buy a bike where technology itself is a question mark??We must wait till Jan.,2015 and see the performance of new engine for some time and then only buy Hero bike.Do you know standard mileage of Honda Dream Neo is 74KM/L but I am getting 74 KM/L in Bangalore traffic and 85 KM/L on highways.So nothing to beat original Honda original Engine at least in India,any comments??S.Tiwari
Consider this analogy - a best CRT monitor of the 80s is still a CRT monitor, no matter any extra features u add and try to sell today, the heart will remain same ie CRT. This is the case with hero and they happily sell the same with new makeovers. Old is gold will work for some time, old is boring after repeating the splendor name again n again. Hero is clearly afraid of changing the engine, even in their new models. Honda's 110cc engine now has better acceleration combined with diamond frame makes it easier to handle and control.
ReplyDelete