Hero Splendor Plus Xtec Drum: Detailed Explainer

If you found the Hero Motorcorp's Hero Splendor Plus to be a bit too bare-bones in terms of features, then you may consider the Hero Splendor Plus Xtec variant. This one is available either with a front drum brake or a front disc brake, with both variants featuring a rear drum brake. Priced at Rs 81,083 (ex-showroom Delhi), this is the one for those on a budget. Here’s a quick analysis of all that it gets:  

Price & Positioning

The Hero Splendor+ Xtec Drum is priced at Rs 81,083, while the Disc variant costs Rs 84,126, which is Rs 3,043 more. For that extra amount, you get one key upgrade: a front disc brake. Apart from that, everything remains the same - the engine, features, and colour schemes are identical in both Xtec models.

Design & Styling

One stand-out feature of the Xtec version is the sleek LED DRL just above the headlight. It gives the bike a slightly more premium appeal, but note that the main headlight is still halogen. The seat height is set at 785mm, and the long, single-piece seat is designed to keep you comfortable whether you're cruising on smooth roads or tackling rough terrain with a passenger. Plus, you've got three sharp dual-tone colour options to choose from: Black Sparkling Blue, Black Tornado Grey, and Red Black.

Features

The console is more info-packed than the regular Splendor Plus. It has a full-LCD console with a speedometer, fuel gauge, odometer, and two trip meters. More importantly, it gets Bluetooth connectivity for call and SMS alerts, and a real-time mileage indicator to keep track of the mileage. 

And, if you need to charge your phone on the go, there's a USB port for that (but you’ll have to buy a smartphone holder separately). Plus, the idle-stop-start system cuts the engine when you stop in traffic for a few seconds, which can really help stretch your fuel efficiency. The engine turns back on with a simple pull of the clutch lever.

Safety & Hardware

The bike's braking system consists of 130mm drum brakes on both the front and rear wheels, which are connected through a combined braking system. In terms of safety features, the bike has a Side Stand Indicator that automatically cuts off the engine if you try to start it with the stand down. Additionally, there's a Bank Angle Sensor that shuts off the engine if the bike falls over. The tyres are 80/100-18 tubeless at both ends, whereas suspension bits include a telescopic fork and a pair of shock absorbers with 5-step preload adjustability at the rear. 

Engine & Performance

The bike is powered by a 97.2cc air-cooled engine. It produces 8.02PS at 8000 rpm. The torque is 8.05Nm at 6000 rpm. It uses a 4-speed gearbox, and as for the mileage, Hero claims 70kmpl with E20 fuel, which is pretty decent for a bike of its class.

BikeDekho Says

The Splendor+ Xtec is basically an upgraded version of a bike that's already super popular for getting around town. It's got some really useful features like Bluetooth and call alerts that make it a bit more convenient.

Summing up, while the drum variant is pretty well-rounded in terms of features, performance, and mileage, we’d still recommend stretching your budget by Rs 3,043 and getting the variant with the front disc. Safety is always important irrespective of the segment, and a two-wheeler with a front disc brake always offers better braking performance compared to a front drum.