Hero’s 125cc commuter, the Super Splendor, has recently received the BS6 update which has also brought along other changes in the motorcycle. It goes head on against the Honda CB Shine which too is now compliant with the new emissions regulations. For the prospective buyers of this segment, we check out which one of them is better on paper.
Design and features
In terms of styling, both motorcycles boast of a simple, commuter-ish design which has received subtle tweaks with the latest update. Comparatively, the CB Shine looks slightly sportier with more angular front and tail section with edgier fuel tank and underseat panels.
The new CB Shine is also more modern on the feature front with a DC LED headlamp, engine start-stop switch and an integrated high-beam and pass switch. Honda has also equipped it with a silent ACG silent starter which negates engine cranking noises. Now, the only standout feature the Super Splendor gets is i3S start-stop function which shuts the engine off when left idle for a few seconds and turns it on after engaging the first gear.
Engine
Both the commuters are powered by a 125cc fuel-injected engine with nearly the same power figures. While the CB Shine produces 10.5bhp and 11Nm, the Splendor Plus generates 10.73bhp and 10.6Nm. Also, they have been updated with a five-speed gearbox, as opposed to the four-speed transmission in their BS4 models. With similar power figures, what would differentiate them in terms of performance in the real world is kerb weight. While the Super Splendor weighs 121kg, the Shine is lighter at 115kg.
Hardware
Underpinned by a diamond chassis, both the contenders are suspended by telescopic forks and dual shock absorbers while braking is handled by a disc-drum setup. They also come in a more affordable variant with drum brakes at both ends. In terms of dimensions, Hero has worked upon making the Super Splendor more comfortable by increasing the suspension travel. What’s noteworthy is that the ground clearance of the Splendor is 180mm, which is significantly more than Shine’s 162mm of clearance.
Pricing
While both bikes are nearly identical in every aspect, the new Honda CB Shine gets a few more features than the Splendor. However, it is slightly more expensive as well. The drum variant of the Shine costs Rs 67,857 and its disc model retails at Rs 72,557. Meanwhile, same variants of the Hero Splendor Plus are priced at Rs 67,300 and Rs 70,800, respectively (all prices are ex-showroom, Delhi).
