The Hero Super Splendor XTEC is a real game changer for daily commuter like me who need a practical bike with a bit of modern flare. This new variant is launched in India at Rs 83,368 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and there are some interesting changes to the Super Splendor for 2023, which I believe make it stand out in the 125cc segment. Hero has given this commuter bike a tech upgrade — from Bluetooth connectivity to a sleek digital instrument cluster — and I’m glad. Now, let’s look into what makes this new model special.
Key Highlights
Bluetooth Connectivity Digital Instrument Cluster
Perhaps one of the coolest additions to the Super Splendor XTEC is the Bluetooth pairing with the new digital instrument cluster. I especially love getting alerts for missed calls and SMS message right on the dashboard. But it’s not just Bluetooth, it can also spit out readouts of speedometer, trip meter, odometer, fuel level, and mileage. Having all this info right there at a glance is a game changer for someone like me who commutes quite a bit. There’s also a USB charging port hidden below the instrument board so that you can charge your phone on the road. Long rides will no longer mean running out of battery again!
Engine and Performance
Okay, time to talk about the heart of the bike … the engine. The Hero Super Splendor XTEC has got an OBD 2 compliant, 124.7cc single cylinder engine, better than the standard model. The engine produces a peak power output of 10.7 bhp and a max torque of 10.6 Nm. Again, a 5 speed gearbox is paired with this and I’ve seen and it seems to help out with smooth acceleration and gear transitions for a much more pleasant city ride.
I also like that it is built with OBD 2 standards so it can monitor the real world emissions more accurately. Considering that this seems to be a sizeable bike, the claimed mileage of 68–70 kmpl can sound extremely sweet, and you will be saving on fuel stops and can make use of the fuel savings!
Design and Features
The bike’s core design is very similar — still slim, still utilitarian, a bike befitting a commuter — but there are a few subtle updates that really make the bike feel more refined. The standout addition is the LED headlight, brighter than typical, but it also makes the Super Splendor XTEC seem a bit more premium. During daytime rides when the safety of the bike is more important, the LED DRL that cuts the high and low beam looks sharp.
The single piece seat as well as the comfortable riding position makes it good for long commutes, which is something I’ve always liked of the Super Splendor. On the bike, however, you’ll still have the grab rail, the halogen turn indicators, and that familiar overall design, but in two new colours—Candy Blazing Red and Matt Axis Grey. They both are modern and sleek and that adds to the polish of the bike on the road.
Braking and Suspension
It also gets the same telescopic front forks and dual rear springs as the old model, and we are looking at a super smooth and comfortable ride even on bumpy roads. The front is now disc brake giving you extra power to stop. The bike now comes with CBS (Combined Braking System), but what you get instead of a disc brake at the back is a drum brake. A nice touch with CBS is that it pairs the front and rear brakes when you hit the lever and does a much better job in the event of an emergency stop.
However, the 18-inch alloy wheels have fairly good 80/100 front and 90/90 rear tyres, which provide good grip on mostly smooth city roads and still cope with a little bit of worse roads.
Variants and Pricing
This is Hero giving us a choice. The Super Splendor XTEC comes in two variants:
Drum Brake Version – Rs 85,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi)
A disc brake version is available at Rs 87,268 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Aside from efficiency, the pricing difference is negligible, and if you are like me, you’d want something with extra stopping power, so the disc brake version looks like the way to go. For under Rs 90,000 honestly it’s a lot of value.
This is my take on the Hero Super Splendor XTEC.
The one thing that impresses me most about the Super Splendor XTEC is that Hero has integrated modern features with an age old commuter efficiency. The upgrades like Bluetooth connectivity, a digital instrument panel and LED headlights make the bike feel premium if you ride every day, without taking the price too high. With its OBD 2 compliance and great mileage, the engine makes it practical and affordable to run too, even with daily use.
Clearly Hero is targeting this model to urban commuters who wish to have more bang for their buck, and I believe they’ve accomplished what they set out to do. But then Honda CB Shine 125 and TVS Raider 125 are stiff competitors in this regard and, on paper, they beat the Super Splendor XTEC in features like the digital cluster and Bluetooth integration.
Readily available to you if you’re in the market for a commuter bike with a lot of tech packed in without taking a chunk out of your pocket, Super Splendor is a Test Ride worth taking for you.
Final Thoughts
Priced to be that little bit special for daily riders looking for a little extra comfort, safety and connectivity, the Hero Super Splendor XTEC is ready to set its tires ablaze in South Africa. Hero has modernized this workhorse of a bike—fuel efficiency and reliability—while adding Bluetooth, a digital instrument cluster and LED lighting.
What I specifically like about it is how the ride rides so smooth and the comfortable seat and then that they didn’t forget to incorporate the charging USB plug. If that’s what you want in a commuter, and bikes that don’t, I cannot recommend the Twenty20 highly enough.
If you’re after a new 125cc bike that ticks all boxes concern tech, performance and cost than Super Splendor XTEC must be on your shortlist.
Here I have listed the MY2023 Hero Super Splendor XTEC Price List.
Drum Brake Version: Rs 83,368
Disc Brake Version: Rs 87,268
(The mentioned prices are ex showroom, Delhi)
