Hero Splendor Pro Classic Long Term Review 2
Okay. So, we did finally fill up the Hero Splendor Pro Classic. And it returned an outstanding 72kmpl! This meant – not considering service cost – I spent less than Rs 1500 on running the café racer over the month; that’s about a rupee a kilometre. Just to get things in perspective, a 150cc motorcycle, generally costs me almost Rs 2500 on fuel alone, in a month. To me then owning and running this café racer – if your commute is as long as mine – is as good a savings plan as any.
The Hero does come with its shortcomings though. For one, it takes me an additional 15 minutes to complete my commute now. This is mainly down to two really long and open highway stretches en route. On a 150, I’d be sitting at a little over 100kmph here. But on the Splendor, even 90kmph is hard work. The café racer’s seat isn’t working out well for me either. It’s large, sure, but it is also too soft. So, with my weight, it loses its ability to support my backside in the first 10km of commute.
Plus, I can’t comfortably stand up and ride this Splendor; courtesy its seating ergonomics. With a clubman like handlebar, a narrow tank and a single piece seat and neutrally set footpegs, it is comfortable when seated; it doesn’t even leave me with aching arms or a sore back. But, standing up, it feels completely awkward. Add to it the Classic’s ride which isn’t exactly plush and come a speed breaker or a broken section of road, and I must brake, slow down, and then work hard to get back up to speed. As you can tell, the Splendor Pro Classic is a bit of work when it comes to long commutes.
But all’s forgiven and all’s forgotten when I roll into a fuel station. 72kmpl! How do you beat that! Actually, we will try next month. Not to beat this figure, but instead ride the Splendor Pro Classic as hard as we can to see what’s the worst it can return.
Click here to read the Hero Splendor Pro Classic Long Term Review 1
Photography by Kapil Angane
