Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel vs TVS Sport: Detailed Comparison

The Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel and the TVS Sport are two very different answers to the same question: what's the best value commuter motorcycle you can buy? One brings cutting-edge flex-fuel technology to the mass segment, while the other is among the most affordable two-wheelers you can buy in India today. If you are torn between these two, this detailed comparison will help you find which one suits you better.

Price & Variants

• The Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel is significantly expensive. Even at a discounted price, it commands a premium of about Rs 20,000, which will increase to Rs 24,000 post July 2026, compared to the TVS Sport.

• The Splendor Flex Fuel comes in a single trim and a sole colour option, while TVS offers two variants and multiple colour options.

• Both manufacturers offer a 5-year warranty on their bikes. Hero, however, offers a mileage limit of 70,000km on its warranty, while the TVS warranty stands up to 60,000km.

Dimensions and Design

• Despite the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel being a bit longer and wider, both motorcycles appear similarly sized in flesh.

• Both have the same wheelbase, offering an optimum balance of agility and stability at city speeds. However, a slightly higher ground clearance gives the TVS Sport an edge over broken patches and speed bumps.

• Weighing almost the same, the two have pretty similar seat heights as well, making them equally accessible to most riders.

• While both motorcycles stick to the tried-and-tested commuter formula, their styling gives them distinctly different personalities. The Splendor Plus Flex Fuel retains the iconic boxy silhouette that has made the Splendor a household name for decades, while subtle updates make it feel modern and aspirational. The TVS Sport, on the other hand, takes a more youthful approach, blending its practical commuter design with sporty touches, adding a sense of dynamism to its overall appearance.

Ride and Handling

• The double-cradle frame makes the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel feel slightly more surefooted, and it also absorbs the load under braking a bit better.

• Both bikes feature quite similar suspension setups, tuned for a plush, comfortable ride that feels composed at city speeds.

• Larger wheels add to the Splendor’s stability, while smaller ones make the TVS Sport a bit more agile.

• The braking systems of both bikes are also more or less similar, but the Splendor Flex Fuel has better rear stopping power with a slightly larger brake drum.

Features & Equipment

• Both bikes have a more or less similar list of features.

• The Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel comes with a digital-analogue instrument cluster, but both bikes offer an equal amount of information on their dashes.

• Hero offers i3S, which helps save fuel in traffic by cutting off the engine when you stop at a traffic signal and restarting it when you release the clutch. Meanwhile, the TVS Sport features an economy riding indicator, which helps the rider maintain fuel-efficient speeds.

• Both bikes get alloy wheels with tubeless tyres, electric start, side-stand engine cut-off feature, a USB charging port, and an Integrated/Synchronised Braking System for safe braking.

Engine & Performance

• Both bikes have pretty similar types of engines and their cooling systems, but the TVS Sport has slightly larger displacement.

• The TVS Sport delivers slightly more torque, which also arrives lower in the rev range, making it feel more effortless to ride in slow, heavy city traffic.

• The peak power figures of the two are close, considering their weight.

• The highlight of the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel is that it can run on fuels blended with up to 85 per cent ethanol. It not only allows you to use the cheaper E85 fuel, but also makes the bike ready for future fuels.

• The TVS Sport makes up for it with better fuel efficiency, that too, with the widely available E20 fuel.

Verdict

If you're thinking ahead and looking for a future-proof option (as the ethanol ratio in fuel is likely to keep increasing), paying extra for the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel makes the most sense. It also brings the familiar design, platform, and nameplate that has been leading the commuter space for years.

Otherwise, the TVS Sport offers similar features, a slightly larger engine and better low-end torque, while also saving over Rs 20,000. The kind of money it saves is pretty huge, considering the segment, and also offers a host of colour options rather than forcing a single colour scheme on buyers.

Which one is a better fit for you depends on whether your priority is saving money today or investing in a smart buy for tomorrow.

Comparisons With Other Rivals

• If you like the idea of flex-fuel technology but want a more affordable entry point, the HF Deluxe Flex Fuel costs roughly Rs 10,000 less than the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel.

• The regular Splendor Plus offers a wider range of colour options, and costs around Rs 4,000 less than the Flex Fuel version.

• For riders looking for a little more punch and a sportier feel, the Star City Plus offers a 110cc engine, a front disc brake option, and sharper styling at a broadly similar price.

• At a more affordable starting point, the TVS Radeon offers better low-end torque and features that make it feel more premium than the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel.

• The Bajaj Platina 100 sits below the Flex Fuel Splendor in price and has built a strong reputation for its outstanding mileage.

• The Shine 100 brings Honda’s trademark refinement and solid build quality to the table, while also being priced lower than the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel.