Hero Splendor Xtec: The Hero Splendor has maintained its position as India’s best-selling motorcycle for decades, becoming an integral part of the nation’s mobility landscape.
With the introduction of the Xtec variant, Hero MotoCorp has thoughtfully modernized this iconic commuter without compromising the fundamental qualities that made it a household name.
The 2025 model year represents the most refined iteration of this approach, blending traditional Splendor virtues with contemporary features that enhance the ownership experience. This comprehensive examination explores what continues to make the Splendor Xtec relevant in today’s two-wheeler market.
Hero Splendor Xtec: Design Philosophy: Familiar Yet Fresh
The 2025 Splendor Xtec maintains the motorcycle’s instantly recognizable silhouette while incorporating subtle design updates that keep it looking contemporary.
The overall profile remains purposefully conservative, acknowledging that many buyers value the model’s established identity and visual longevity over dramatic styling changes.
The front section features a redesigned headlamp assembly housing a full-LED unit—a significant upgrade that improves nighttime visibility while reducing power consumption.
The signature “H” logo takes center stage on the small yet effective flyscreen that provides modest wind protection during highway journeys.
Side panels have been refreshed with new graphics that add visual interest without appearing excessive or trendy.
The fuel tank maintains its familiar shape but now incorporates knee recesses that improve riding ergonomics for taller riders.
Chrome accents on the side covers add a touch of premium feel that belies the motorcycle’s accessible price point.
The rear section completes this balanced approach with an LED tail lamp that enhances safety through improved visibility while creating a modern light signature.
The grab rail has been redesigned for better passenger comfort without disrupting the clean lines of the motorcycle.
Color options for 2025 include traditional choices like Black with Red accents and Candy Blazing Red, alongside more contemporary options such as Matte Shield Gold and Nexus Blue.
This diverse palette allows buyers to select a finish that either honors the Splendor’s heritage or expresses a more modern aesthetic.
What’s particularly noteworthy about the Splendor Xtec’s design is how it has evolved without alienating its core audience—a delicate balance that speaks to Hero MotoCorp’s deep understanding of their customer base.
Features: Technology Meets Practicality
The most significant advancements in the 2025 Splendor Xtec come in the form of technology and feature additions that enhance convenience and safety.
The fully digital instrument cluster represents a major upgrade over the analog units found in standard Splendor variants, providing comprehensive information in a clear, easily readable format.
This LCD display includes:
Speedometer and odometer
Fuel gauge with range estimation
Real-time fuel efficiency indicator
Service reminder
Side-stand indicator
Low battery warning
Bluetooth connectivity status
The Bluetooth connectivity feature deserves special mention, allowing riders to pair their smartphones to access call alerts, SMS notifications, and turn-by-turn navigation prompts—functions previously available only on significantly more expensive motorcycles.
The system operates through a dedicated mobile application that also records ride history and basic vehicle diagnostics.
Additional practical features include a USB charging port located conveniently below the instrument cluster, enabling riders to maintain device power during longer journeys.
The idle start-stop system (i3S) automatically shuts down the engine during extended stops and restarts it when the clutch is engaged, improving real-world fuel efficiency in congested traffic conditions.
Safety enhancements include a bank angle sensor that cuts engine power in case of a fall, reducing the risk of further damage or injury.
The combined braking system (CBS) distributes braking force between front and rear wheels even when only one brake is applied, improving stopping performance for less experienced riders.
The 2025 model introduces keyless operation, with a proximity-based smart key that enables ignition and fuel cap opening without physical key insertion—a convenience feature previously unheard of in this segment.
Powerplain: Refined Efficiency
The 2025 Splendor Xtec continues with Hero’s proven 110cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine, a powerplant renowned for its exceptional reliability and efficiency.
This unit produces 9 horsepower and 9.79 Nm of torque—modest figures on paper but entirely adequate for a motorcycle weighing just 116 kilograms.
The engine features programmed fuel injection (PFI) that ensures precise fuel delivery across various operating conditions, improving both performance and efficiency while meeting stringent BS6 Phase 2 emission regulations.
The XSens technology incorporates multiple sensors that continuously monitor parameters like engine temperature, ambient air pressure, and throttle position to optimize combustion.
Performance characteristics prioritize rideability over outright acceleration, with linear power delivery making the motorcycle exceptionally easy to operate in urban environments. The engine pulls cleanly from low revs, reducing the need for frequent gear changes in stop-and-go traffic.
Maximum speed of approximately 90 km/h provides adequate capability for intercity travel, though the engine feels most comfortable cruising between 60-70 km/h.
The 4-speed gearbox offers precise shifts with a light clutch action, reducing rider fatigue during extended use.
The gear ratios have been carefully selected to balance acceleration and fuel efficiency, with fourth gear providing comfortable cruising without excessive engine revs.
Fuel efficiency remains the Splendor’s defining characteristic, with the 2025 Xtec delivering approximately 65-70 km/l in real-world conditions—among the highest figures for any internal combustion powered two-wheeler.
The 10-liter fuel tank provides a theoretical range exceeding 650 kilometers, minimizing the frequency of refueling stops during regular use.
Ride and Handling: Everyday Comfort
The Splendor Xtec’s riding dynamics have been finely tuned for its primary purpose—providing comfortable, unstressed transportation in varied conditions.
The conventional telescopic front fork and twin rear shock absorbers deliver a compliant ride that absorbs road imperfections effectively while maintaining stability during normal operation.
Seat comfort deserves special mention, with a redesigned saddle offering improved padding density and shape that reduces pressure points during longer rides.
The seat height of 790mm makes the motorcycle accessible to riders of various statures, while the narrow midsection allows for easy foot placement when stopped.
The riding position strikes an excellent balance between comfort and control, with slightly rear-set footpegs and a moderately raised handlebar creating a neutral posture that reduces upper body strain during extended use.
This ergonomic setup proves particularly appreciated during urban commuting, where riders often spend considerable time navigating congested traffic.
Handling characteristics favor stability and predictability over sportiness, with the 18-inch wheels at both ends providing good momentum over rough surfaces.
The motorcycle changes direction with reasonable effort while maintaining composure during emergency maneuvers—critical considerations for daily riders who regularly encounter unpredictable traffic situations.
Braking performance is adequate for the motorcycle’s weight and performance capabilities, with the 130mm drum brakes at both ends providing consistent stopping power.
The aforementioned combined braking system enhances safety by ensuring balanced deceleration even for less experienced operators.
Build Quality and Reliability: The Hero Hallmark
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the Splendor Xtec ownership experience lies in its exceptional build quality and proven reliability.
Hero MotoCorp has refined the manufacturing process over decades of production, creating a product that consistently delivers trouble-free operation with minimal maintenance requirements.
Material selection prioritizes durability over aesthetic considerations, with robust plastics and metal components designed to withstand years of often demanding use.
Paint quality has seen continuous improvement, with better resistance to fading and chipping extending the motorcycle’s visual longevity.
Electrical components—traditionally a vulnerability in motorcycles operated in challenging weather conditions—have been upgraded with improved waterproofing and connector quality.
The wiring harness incorporates additional protection against mechanical damage, reducing the potential for electrical faults.
The engine’s understressed nature contributes significantly to reliability, with internal components operating well within their design limitations even during continuous operation.
This conservative engineering approach results in exceptional longevity, with many Splendor engines exceeding 100,000 kilometers without major overhauls—a critical consideration for owners who depend on their motorcycles for daily transportation and livelihood.
Ownership Experience: Comprehensive Support
The ownership proposition extends beyond the motorcycle itself to encompass Hero MotoCorp’s unparalleled support ecosystem.
The service network—the world’s largest for two-wheelers—ensures convenient access to maintenance and repairs regardless of location, with facilities available in virtually every corner of India.
Service intervals are set at a reasonable 3,000 kilometers or three months, with major services required at 6,000-kilometer intervals.
The straightforward mechanical design allows owners with basic technical knowledge to perform routine maintenance themselves, further reducing running costs.
Spare parts availability and affordability remain exceptional, with genuine components readily accessible through an extensive dealer network and authorized service centers.
The competitive pricing of consumable items like filters, brake shoes, and clutch plates keeps ongoing maintenance expenses predictable and reasonable.
The standard warranty of 5 years or 70,000 kilometers—among the most generous in the segment—provides long-term peace of mind, reflecting Hero’s confidence in the product’s durability. Extended warranty options can increase this coverage to 7 years for a modest additional cost.
Hero’s Good Life program offers additional benefits including roadside assistance, priority service scheduling, and exclusive events for Splendor owners, enhancing the ownership community aspect that has developed around the model.
Hero Splendor Xtec: Conclusion: Evolved Essentials
The 2025 Hero Splendor Xtec represents a thoughtful evolution of a proven formula rather than a revolutionary departure.
By maintaining the model’s core strengths—reliability, efficiency, affordability—while incorporating meaningful technological enhancements, Hero MotoCorp has ensured the Splendor remains relevant in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
For millions of users, the Splendor isn’t merely transportation but an essential tool for economic mobility and family welfare.
The Xtec variant acknowledges this reality while recognizing that today’s consumers expect certain modern conveniences regardless of price point.
By carefully balancing these considerations, Hero has created a motorcycle that respects its heritage while embracing appropriate innovation.
In an era where two-wheeler marketing often emphasizes style over substance or performance over practicality, the Splendor Xtec stands as a reminder that for many riders, the fundamentals of dependable, efficient transportation remain the priority.
Its continued market leadership demonstrates that products fulfilling their core purpose with minimal compromise still have an important place in the mobility landscape.
The 2025 Hero Splendor Xtec may not ignite passionate desire among motorcycle enthusiasts, but it earns genuine appreciation through daily use—perhaps the more enduring relationship between vehicle and owner in today’s rapidly evolving automotive ecosystem.