Hero Splendor iSmart 110 First Look Review

Hero Splendor iSmart 110 First Look Review

Most of the bikes we see with Hero badging on Indian roads have been co-developed with Honda. But things are going to change soon and the Splendor iSmart 110 is the first step towards it. The Splendor iSmart 110 is the first Hero motorcycle that has been developed in-house, which is a pretty big achievement.

In terms of the overall design, Hero has stuck to the traditional design approach, which we see on the Splendor iSmart 100. This has been done to attract customers from all age groups. The bikini fairing, curvy fuel tank, the simple tail section are some of the results of this design approach.

This motorcycle is powered by a new 110cc engine that produces 9bhp at 7500rpm and peak torque of 9Nm at 5500rpm. This engine is mated to a four-speed gearbox and can help the bike reach a top speed of 87kmph. Hero claims that this engine offers nine per cent more power and 12 per cent higher torque than the one in the Splendor iSmart. This engine is also more fuel efficient that the Splendor iSmart whose figures stands at 102.5kmpl. The bike is also equipped with idle and start-stop system (i3s) that also helps in saving fuel. The showcased bike didn’t have disc brake at the front, so we believe the Gurgaon-based manufacturer won’t offer a disc brake variant at the time of the launch.

Just like the rest of the bikes in the segment, the instrument cluster on the Splendor iSmart 110 is quite basic but does the job. The one on this bike also gets a small LCD screen that displays the trip meter, odometer and fuel indicator. It also gets a side-stand and i3s indicator. The quality of switchgear is excellent and is one of the best in the segment. Hero is offering this bike with both kick and electric start. The dual tone rear view mirror is a nice touch and is sure to attract some customers. For comfort, the bike gets a single seat, which is well cushioned. The grab rails too, are big and are quite easy to use.

Hero MotoCorp will launch the new Splendor iSmart by mid-2016. In terms of pricing, we’re expecting Hero to price this bike on par with its competitions from Honda, TVS and Suzuki.