Hero Splendor Pro Classic Long Term Review 3

Hero Splendor Pro Classic Long Term Review 3

This month let’s talk fun. It’s a difficult concept, I know, when you consider the motorcycle at hand. It is less than 100cc, doesn’t even make 8.5bhp, and has a top speed that’s nowhere near 100kmph. But, that’s the thing, even with all these shortcomings, the Hero Splendor Pro Classic, is still a fun motorcycle to ride. In fact, it is because of these shortcomings that the Classic is fun. Let me explain.

The Classic isn’t powerful, so it doesn’t take off the lights like a (pardon the cliché) bat out of hell. But, because it is light, it still wheelies off the light. It’s just for a fraction of a second, but it does. So, it is exciting.

The Splendor also has very basic hardware. Drum brakes, long-lasting (read less grippy) and skinny tyres, and suspension that’s designed to go on forever and do little else. So, when you are going flat out – which is like, all the time – it takes preparation, anticipation, and skill (to a degree) to actually keep the pace in the city. So, it is involving.

You need to find your gaps in traffic early and make them, because those tyres and brakes won’t save you in an emergency move. You also need to plan your overtakes exceedingly well, because if you don’t, you will be running alongside the overtaken as the overtaker forever – like two slow-moving trucks trying to beat the other, on a climb.

There’s also the art of cornering. You sit in a slightly racier position on the Classic compared to the regular Splendors. But, the footpeg is still in the same place. And that’s good because with the Classic’s basic hardware, you don’t want to lean into a corner too far. If you do in this setup, chances are the pegs will scrape, you will be knocked back to your senses, you will straighten out the motorcycle and be less adventurous next time round. If you are not, don’t blame us if you end up kissing the tarmac. So, yes, it can be challenging.

Here’s the thing about the Splendor Pro Classic then; it might not have the power or the hardware to be interesting in the conventional way. But, because of that, it is nervous and a bit scary at much lower speeds. And to stay on top of it, you still need to put your head and riding skills to the test. Because if you don’t, and decide to ride it like a commuter, you will die of boredom.

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