The ‘Splendor’ nametag needs no introduction. For most of the commuter class, the legendary title made a solid case for itself with its solid reliability, sturdy reliability and excellent sales figures. Riding on sustained customer demand, the Splendor family became Hero Honda’s bread and butter for over 2 decades. With the Splendor, the company also consistently raised the bar and created new records.

However, after the fallout with Honda, Hero MotoCorp faced an uphill task to develop new products on its own. Last year, the company launched two all-new scooters,which were developed in-house – the Maestro Edge and Duet. Now, meet the Splendor iSmart 110 – the company’s first indigenously developed motorcycle from its Centre for Innovation and Technology in Jaipur, India.

STYLING

The Splendor iSmart 110 is a stylish affair as compared to other motorcycles in the segment. Adding to the style quotient are dual-tone colour schemes, stylish split grab rail, 5-spoke black alloy wheels, blacked out engine, new tail-light, muffler with chrome tip, and dual tone mirrors, fenders and cowl.

Also, the attractive Analogue Digital instrumentation console makes a bold statement with a digital odometer and tripmeter, analogue fuel gauge, speedometer, and a side-stand warning indicator in a blue backlight display.

(Scroll below for more highlights)

FEATURES

The Splendor iSmart 110 is the most feature loaded motorcycle in the segment. First, it is being offered with Hero’s i3s (Idle-stopsmart system), a technology which automatically switches off the engine when idle for 5-6 seconds in neutral position and switches it on as soon as the clutch is pressed. The i3s system is an important convenience feature in the urban stop-go traffic conditions. It also helps in reducing fuel consumption while increasing the efficiency of the engine. This technology, akin to cars, makes Splendor iSmart the first ever mass-segment two-wheeler in India to receive such a technology.

The second first-in-class feature being offered is the Automatic Headlamp On (AHO) feature which automatically turns on the headlight when you start the bike and stays on till you shut the engine off. The AHO feature will be seen on every two wheeler as an additional safety feature rolling out from Indian manufacturers starting from 2017.

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION

The motorcycle features a completely new 110cc, air-cooled, single cylinder, 4-stroke engine which produces a maximum power output of 9.2 Bhp @ 7500 rpm and maximum torque of 9 Nm @ 5500rpm.

The engine is no longer horizontal; the position has been made more vertical. The engine is linked to a 4-speed gearbox. The engine is BS-IV (emission norms set up by the Indian government) compliant and claimed fuel efficiency is 68Km/l.

RIDE AND HANDLING

The 110cc TOD (Torque on Demand) engine offers usable power and an evenly distributed torque across the range. The peppy engine provides enough confidence to the rider to cruise at higher speeds even in 3^rd and 4th gears. Hero claims that the Splendor iSmart races to 60kmph from standstill in 7.45 seconds.

Once you are astride the bike, the seating position is upright and comfortable. The iSmart 110 is a comfortable bike to ride in the city. The well-padded long seat and light dimensions make the iSmart a comfortable bike to ride in the city.

The new tubular double cradle frame offers enhanced agility and comformable riding experience,even on rough terrains. The suspension setup is softer with telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers at front and adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear. Similarly, the increased ground clearance of 165mm allows for convenient and easy riding on our roads. The 130mm drum brakes at the front and 110 mm drums at the rear do a decent job of bringing the iSmart to a halt.

VERDICT

If you’re looking at a motorcycle to get you from point A to point B in an effortless manner, then look no further than the iSmart 110.

At Rs 1, 66,000, it is a value for money proposition and does everything a commuter motorcycle is supposed to without any drama.

MORE HIGHLIGHTS: