Hero Super Splendor

The 124.7cc engine here isn’t a firecracker, but it’s smooth and consistent. It makes 10.7 PS at 7,500 rpm and 10.6 Nm at 6,000 rpm. The 5-speed gearbox is well-spaced, and we rarely had to hunt for gears even in stop-go traffic. Acceleration is linear. 0-60 kmph takes around 7 seconds, and it’ll cruise at 70-75 kmph comfortably. Push it to its top speed of around 90-95 kmph and it gets buzzy, but not unbearable.

The highlight is fuel efficiency. With Hero’s i3S idle stop-start system working well at traffic lights, we got a real-world mileage between 54 and 56 kmpl. The 12-litre tank gives a range of over 600 km on a full fill, and that’s pretty solid for daily running.

Ride Quality and Handling

The Super Splendor uses a conventional telescopic fork and twin rear shocks. Ride quality is tuned for softness, and it glides over undulations at city speeds. Large potholes still catch you off-guard though, especially with a pillion. Handling is neutral. At 122 kg, it’s light, easy to turn in traffic, and stable on straight stretches. The tyres—80-section front and 90-section rear—are okay in dry grip, but you’ll want to be gentle on rainy days.

We leaned into traffic gaps and flicked it through packed roads with ease. It holds its line but isn’t agile like a TVS Raider. Still, for what it is, it stays composed and doesn’t tire you out.

You won’t mistake the Super Splendor for anything flashy—but it’s not trying to be. The 2025 update gives it a few cleaner lines, revised tank graphics, and a sleeker LED headlamp. The seat is long, flat, and still one of the best in the segment when it comes to roominess. The muffler now has a bit more chrome, and the tank extensions add mild muscle. Nothing edgy or aggressive here—just conservative and commuter-friendly.

You can get it in five colors—Candy Blazing Red, Black Accent, Matt Axis Grey, Heavy Grey, and Nexus Blue. We tried the Nexus Blue, which hides dust better than the others. It runs on 18-inch alloys with tubeless tyres—80/100 up front, 90/90 at the rear. The plastics feel cost-cut, but the fit is tight and there’s no rattle unless you go over proper broken roads.

You don’t get ABS here—just Hero’s Integrated Braking System (IBS), a combi-brake setup. The base variant uses drum brakes at both ends (130 mm front and rear), while the higher variant adds a 240 mm disc at the front. For city rides and low-speed situations, it works well. We emergency braked at 40 kmph and stayed planted. No drama.

Ground clearance is a decent 180 mm, so it skips over speed breakers and rough patches easily. The LED headlamp offers good brightness up close, though the spread isn’t wide. For its price and purpose, the Super Splendor covers the basics—nothing more, nothing less.

The Hero Super Splendor goes up against some well-rounded rivals. The Honda Shine 125 offers a smoother engine and slightly more premium feel but costs a bit more. The TVS Raider 125 is way more stylish and comes with better tech and sharper performance, but it’s pricier and aimed at younger riders. Then there’s the Bajaj Pulsar 125, which is peppier and offers a sportier stance, but can’t match the Hero’s comfort.

Where the Super Splendor wins is in cost of ownership, peace of mind, and reliability. It’s a mature choice, not an exciting one.

The 2025 Hero Super Splendor is a no-nonsense commuter for those who want reliability, efficiency, and affordability. It’s not fast, not fancy, and doesn’t offer the latest gizmos. But it starts every morning, sips fuel, and gets you where you need to go without drama. If your ride is more about daily duties than fun or flair, the Super Splendor still makes solid sense.