You wake up early on a Tuesday morning. You need to reach the office quickly, the traffic is already building up. Commuters across India face this exact situation every single day. The rising cost of petrol makes the daily journey very expensive for most factory workers and office staff. Hero MotoCorp understands this common financial struggle completely. They launched the new Splendor Plus Flex Fuel in India recently. This specific motorcycle provides a highly practical alternative to expensive traditional fossil fuels. The bike looks exactly like the classic model, you notice the bright green graphics instantly. The manufacturer engineered this specific two-wheeler to run on various ethanol blends. You can use standard petrol or a high ethanol mixture easily. This choice saves you a lot of money every single month.
The Indian government wants to reduce crude oil imports. They encourage local manufacturers to build vehicles that accept alternative fuels. Ethanol comes directly from local agricultural waste and sugarcane. This local production keeps the actual fuel cost very low for the end consumer. The new Splendor model can accept fuel blends ranging from E5 up to E85. The engine computer handles the complex chemical difference automatically. You just fill the metal tank at a local green fuel pump. You do not worry about engine knocking or sudden mechanical failures. The motorcycle handles the different fuel mixtures perfectly.
A Familiar Face With Modern Updates
The overall exterior design remains heavily faithful to the original commuter layout. Hero knows their target audience perfectly well. People want a simple vehicle that looks decent and survives heavy daily abuse. The factory added a few visual updates to keep the product fresh for 2026. You get new Black with Lime Yellow graphics across the fuel tank and side panels. These specific decals indicate the clean energy nature of the vehicle. The square halogen headlight stays right at the front. It provides adequate illumination for dark rural roads at night.
The physical dimensions fit perfectly into tight parking spaces. The overall length reaches 2000 mm, the width sits at 720 mm. You can squeeze this bike through narrow city alleys easily. The side profile shows a very flat and long single seat. This seat accommodates two average adults very comfortably. The rear gets a thick metal grab rail for the pillion passenger. You can strap heavy bags to this metal rail securely. The exhaust pipe features a chrome cover to protect your shoes from the extreme heat.
The build quality feels completely solid for this price bracket. The plastic panels fit together tightly without any annoying rattling sounds. You touch the switchgear on the handlebar, the buttons feel durable and click positively. The rearview mirrors offer a wide field of vision for highway driving. Hero builds these motorcycles to last for a full decade of hard labor. The paint finish looks glossy and resists fading under the hot summer sun.
Engineering and Engine Specifications
The core mechanical components require heavy modifications to handle corrosive ethanol. Pure ethanol attracts water molecules from the surrounding humid air. This water content causes regular metal parts to rust rapidly. The engineering team replaced all the old rubber fuel hoses with specialized synthetic polymers. These upgraded hoses resist chemical degradation completely. The fuel pump uses coated internal parts to survive the abrasive nature of the alternative fuel. You can leave the bike parked for weeks, the fuel system remains perfectly safe.
The motorcycle uses a 97.2 cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine. This motor produces 8.5 PS of power at 8000 rpm. The maximum torque reaches 8.3 Nm at exactly 6000 rpm. The power output remains virtually identical when running on the E85 fuel mixture. You do not lose any pulling strength when switching between different fuel nozzles. The engine connects to a simple four-speed constant mesh gearbox. You shift the gears using a traditional heel-and-toe shifter pedal.
Technical Engine Specifications
| Category | Component Details |
| Engine Displacement | 97.2 cc |
| Cooling System | Air Cooled |
| Maximum Power Output | 8.5 PS at 8000 rpm |
| Peak Torque Output | 8.3 Nm at 6000 rpm |
| Transmission Type | 4-Speed Manual Gearbox |
| Fuel Delivery | Advanced Fuel Injection |
The software inside the engine control unit is completely new. It reads the exact ethanol concentration from a sensor located in the fuel line. The computer adjusts the spark timing and the fuel injection duration in real time. Ethanol contains less physical energy than pure petrol per liter. The injectors must spray more fuel into the combustion chamber to create the same physical power. The engine sounds very quiet at idle speeds. It produces a familiar gentle hum when you ride at steady city speeds.
The exhaust system gets a new catalytic converter to clean the tailpipe gases. Burning ethanol produces fewer harmful carbon emissions than burning standard fossil fuel. The air in the city remains slightly cleaner. The engine block uses cooling fins to dissipate internal heat quickly. You ride in heavy traffic during summer, the engine does not overheat. The simple air-cooled design eliminates the need for expensive liquid radiators or complex water pumps. The factory tune the power delivery for strong low-end acceleration. You release the clutch lever, the bike pulls forward without requiring heavy throttle input. This low-end grunt is essential when you carry a heavy passenger uphill.
Riding Comfort and City Handling
Commuter motorcycles must offer a completely painless riding experience. The Splendor Plus Flex Fuel weighs exactly 113 kg. This low kerb weight makes the bike incredibly easy to maneuver in heavy traffic jams. You can push the motorcycle backward out of a tight parking spot with zero physical strain. The seat height sits at an accessible 785 mm from the ground. Shorter riders can place both feet flat on the tarmac easily. This builds massive confidence for absolute beginners learning to ride in busy streets.
The suspension layout uses standard telescopic forks at the front wheel. The rear end gets dual hydraulic shock absorbers with five-step preload adjustability. The suspension absorb large deep potholes easily. You ride over broken concrete surfaces, your back do not hurt. The narrow tube-type tyres measure 80/100 on both 18-inch wheels. These thin tyres reduce rolling resistance and improve the overall steering response. The bike changes direction quickly when you push the handlebar.
You ride the bike through narrow streets, the handling feels very natural. The turn radius is extremely small. You can take sharp U-turns without putting your feet down. The seat cushion is thick and offers great support for long hours. You do not slide forward when you apply the front brake hard. The footpegs are positioned in a relaxed forward location. Your knees rest comfortably against the sides of the metal fuel tank.
Braking duties are handled by basic drum brakes on both ends. You get a 130 mm drum at the front and a 130 mm drum at the rear. The company includes an integrated braking system from the factory. You press the rear brake pedal, the system applies the front brake automatically. This prevents the rear wheel from locking up during a sudden emergency stop. The braking power is perfectly adequate for the low top speed of 87 kmph. You do not need expensive disc brakes for a slow daily commuter bike.
Dashboard Features and Practicality
The instrumentation received a very smart upgrade for this specific model. The dashboard uses a new semi-digital console layout. The left side holds a traditional analog speedometer and a simple odometer. The right side features a small digital screen. This digital inset shows the actual fuel level accurately. You also get a dedicated Flex Fuel emblem printed right on the dial face. The cluster includes warning lights for the side stand and the engine malfunction indicator.
Practicality dictates every single design choice on this two-wheeler. The company provides a dedicated USB charging port near the handlebar. You can charge your mobile phone while using GPS navigation in the city. The bike features Hero’s famous i3S idle-stop-start technology. You stop at a red traffic light, the engine shuts off automatically after five seconds. You pull the clutch lever, the engine starts up instantly. This simple system saves a lot of fuel during heavy urban commutes.
The motorcycle includes a side-stand engine cut-off switch for safety. You forget to fold the stand up, the engine will not start. If you put the stand down while the bike is in gear, the engine dies immediately. This prevents nasty accidents on sharp left corners. The standard center stand makes chain maintenance very easy at home. You also get a solid metal saree guard installed on the left side of the rear wheel. This protects loose traditional clothing from getting stuck in the moving chain mechanism.
- Standard USB mobile charging port located near the instrument cluster.
- Integrated i3S stop-start technology to save fuel at traffic lights.
- Side-stand engine cut-off switch prevents accidental starting in gear.
- Heavy-duty metal grab rail for secure passenger seating and luggage tying.
Fuel Efficiency and Running Costs
Buyers in this specific segment care about mileage above everything else. The standard petrol Splendor is famous for running forever on a single liter. The flex fuel version delivers slightly different results depending on what you pump into the tank. Ethanol holds roughly thirty percent less energy volume than pure traditional petrol. Your physical fuel economy drops when you use an E85 mixture. The user reported mileage currently sits around 62 kmpl in mixed riding conditions.
This drop in outright mileage sounds bad initially. The actual financial math works heavily in your favor. The government prices E85 ethanol much lower than standard petrol to encourage mass adoption. You pay significantly less money every time you fill the 9.8-liter metal fuel tank. The lower cost of the fuel offsets the lower mileage completely. Your total cost per kilometer drops by roughly twenty percent overall. You keep more money in your wallet at the end of the month.
The maintenance requirements remain identical to the standard version. You change the engine oil every 3000 kilometers. The air filter needs a quick cleaning during every scheduled service. Local mechanics know this engine block perfectly well. You do not need to visit an expensive official service center for basic routine maintenance. Spare parts are available in every single small town across the country. The total cost of ownership remains incredibly low for a full decade of use.
The chain drive mechanism requires regular lubrication to perform optimally. You should spray the metal chain every five hundred kilometers. The drum brakes use standard brake shoes that last for a very long time. You will probably replace them only after twenty thousand kilometers of heavy city riding. The tubeless tyres resist sudden deflation if you run over a sharp nail. You can safely ride to the nearest repair shop without pushing the heavy bike. The overall reliability gives you immense peace of mind.
Market Position and Dealership Pricing
The entry-level commuter segment is highly competitive in the Indian market. The Splendor Plus Flex Fuel faces direct competition from several established models. The Honda Shine 100 offers a very smooth engine. The TVS Radeon provides a very plush seat. The Bajaj Platina 100 delivers excellent suspension comfort over bad roads. The Hero motorcycle holds a distinct advantage right now. It is the only option that can run on E85 alternative fuel straight from the factory.
Hero MotoCorp prices the vehicle very aggressively to attract daily wage workers. The motorcycle has a starting price of Rs 82,810 in the local market. The on-road price will vary slightly depending on your specific state taxes and local registration fees. The company offers competitive loan schemes with very low down payments. You can take the bike home by paying just eight thousand rupees upfront. The monthly installments fit easily into a tight household budget.
Pricing and Competition Comparison
| Motorcycle Model | Engine Size | Estimated Ex-Showroom Price | E85 Fuel Compatibility |
| Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel | 97.2 cc | Rs 82,810 | Yes |
| TVS Radeon Base Edition | 109.7 cc | Rs 69,116 | No |
| Bajaj Platina 100 | 102 cc | Rs 67,800 | No |
| Honda Shine 100 | 98.9 cc | Rs 64,900 | No |
The dealership network for Hero is absolutely massive. You can buy this motorcycle in large metropolitan cities or small remote villages. The company plans to roll out the flex fuel range in Delhi and Maharashtra first. The national rollout will follow soon after the initial market testing phase completes.
You buy a daily commuter bike for peace of mind. You want a machine that starts every single morning without throwing strange error codes. The Splendor name carries thirty years of absolute trust with the Indian public. The new fuel technology does not compromise that trusted reliability. You get a cheap, durable, and comfortable ride to work. You help reduce urban air pollution by burning a cleaner alternative fuel. You save cash at the fuel pump every single week. The Splendor Plus Flex Fuel delivers exactly what the modern Indian commuter needs right now.
