THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Agile and easy to handle, the Splendor Pro classic by Hero Motocorp is the middle class man’s Cafe Rider Bike, with the price tag placed much lower than that of the Royal Enfield Continental GT. Hero has come up with this single rider right when single rider bikes are catching up here. Not the one to be favoured by the family man, the vehicle is targeted at youths or for those who have a thing for classic and retro look when it comes to motorcycle.
Round lights, spoke wheels bringing back the yesteryear Hero Motorcycle feel, sporty handlebar, simple body panels all are part of the conventional design. The slight changes have been brought about by the twin pod instrument console, turn indicators, headlights and the rear view mirrors. It is the rear part of the vehicle with its cowl like design, designed to create the cafe racer-like illusion that grabs all the attention on the bike. With a 21mm higher ground clearance, compared to the Splendor Pro, the classic version is also 35mm shorter.
The bike comes with a 100cc OHC engine from Splendor Pro, it is powered with a four stroke engine, air-cooled 97.2cc single cylinder, produces a power of 8.4ps and a maximum torque of 8.04nm. The bike has familiar features which we have seen before in the Splendor Pro such as the Front telescopic forks, rear coil spring, tubular double cradle frame, drum brakes and tyres.
The bike is lightweight with 109 kg, hence easier to handle for city rides. It is at its comfortable best for city rides. “Above 70kmph, the bike has that slight vibration which is to be expected when it comes to light-weight vehicles such as this, which I believe is not a very positive thing for a cafe racer bike. Another missing element for the classic version are the broader tyres. It would have also been visually appealing with broad tyres. Besides, the footpegs too could have been positioned better. If the classic had drum brakes, it would have been a tad more impressive,” says Varun K N, a student who recently bought the bike.
The bike comes with electric start as standard, and is available in solid maroon and carbon black. Priced at `57,835 on road and `51,100 (ex-showroom), the bike is already being sold like hot cakes at the showroom in Kozhikode.
“Since it is a single-seater, male students favour it the most, many who are below 25 years of age. Since its launch, it is in huge demand here,” says Akhil, a sales executive at Hero Motocorp showroom in Kozhikode.