Hero Splendor Plus

The proven and tested 97.2cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine produces 8.36PS of power at 8000rpm and 8.05Nm of torque at 5000rpm, and comes mated to a four-speed gearbox. Suspension duties are handled by telescopic forks at the front and hydraulic twin shock absorbers at the rear. Braking is taken care of by a 130mm drum brake at the front and a 110mm drum at the rear.

Not much has changed in terms of styling. The Super Splendor still carries forward the age-old design it’s famous for. To add a touch of modernity, it sports a clear lens headlight, optional 5-spoke alloy wheels and an optional electric starter for convenience. It also gets a new set of graphics for some much needed freshness. The instrument cluster includes two analogue pods in white, one displaying fuel and the other showcasing a speedometer, odometer and tripmeter.

Bajaj CT 100: The Bajaj CT 100 also comes in three variants: the CT 100B with a round headlight, kickstarter and spoke wheels. Then there is the CT 100KS, which is a more upmarket variant with a headlight cowl, plastic body panels encompassing the tail light, alloy wheels and a kickstarter; and finally the CT 100ES with all the goodness of the KS and an electric starter for convenience. On the performance and features front the CT100 range is at par with the Splendor Plus range. The CT 100 is an entry-level motorcycle from Bajaj and has also made a name for itself over the years. But its strong point here is its pricing. It’s the most affordable here, with a starting price of just Rs 33,715.

TVS Sport: The TVS Sport also comes with a similar range offering as the Bajaj and Hero bikes. It may not be the most powerful here but it looks a lot more upmarket than the two, with the alloys and engine finished in black. The headlight also comes with pilot lamps and an “eco meter” to help you keep your riding style in check. It is also the second most affordable bike here, with prices starting from Rs 38,513.

Yamaha Saluto RX: Unlike others, the Saluto RX is available in only one variant: the top end, which includes all features available on the top end variants that other manufacturers are offering. It is also the most sporty looking of the lot, with sharp design lines. However, Yamaha has not been able to garner the kind of following that other models in this lineup hold. That said, it does come across as a promising bike to opt for, especially with the improving mileage of Yamaha offerings and its expanding dealer network.

The Hero Splendor Plus has been one of, if not the, most iconic motorcycles in India. The motorcycle has, over the years, proved its worth by being the reliable motorcycle that it is. However, with Honda no more in the picture, we are quite curious to know how the model sustains in the coming years, especially with the growing competition. Out of the models mentioned here, the Bajaj makes for a good choice if you are on a budget. But if you are looking for a motorcycle apart from the Hero Splendor Plus, we recommend you to look at the TVS Sport, which offers a lot more premiumness and features while just being marginally more expensive than the Bajaj.