Hero Super Splendor Xtec 2.0 vs Honda SP125: Best 125cc Under Rs 90,000?

Last time around, we put the Hero Super Splendor Xtec 2.0 against the Honda Shine 125 and our conclusion was that the Honda Shine 125 feels a bit too bare bones. In a growing digital world, it’s quite old school and that might put some people off. So today, to up the ante, we’re putting the Honda SP125, a bike that promises a more premium appeal, against the new Super Splendor Xtec 2.0 to see how this Hero vs Honda battle goes: 

Price & Variants

• Before we come to the SP125’s more premium appeal, we must tackle the higher price. The price gap between the 2 base variants is around Rs 2,000 and the Delta Variant widens it to a bit above Rs 6,000 when we compare the 2 top models. 

• Like we said the last time, that sort of premium won’t make that much of a difference if you intend to pay for these bikes through EMIs over a longer period of time. That said, it’s also not insignificant, because that sort of money could easily pay your fuel bills for at least a couple of months, if not more. 

• So the Super Splendor is the bike that wins this round by a good margin. While the price gap isn’t a dealbreaker, it is quite significant. 

Dimensions & Design 

• The difference between the 2 bikes’ dimensions isn’t massive in most departments. The SP125 is a fair bit wider than the Super Splendor but it’s nothing you’ve to be concerned about. In fact, that might work in the SP’s favour, making it look a bit more substantial and thereby giving it better road presence. 

• The other big figure that’d catch your attention is the SP125’s weight advantage. It’s a good 5/6kg lighter than the Super Splendor, depending on the variant you go for. While that is quite a gap, especially in this class, it’s not that the Super Splendor is a heavy bike. 

• It’s more than the SP125 feels like a lightweight bike, one that’ll take minimal effort to steer even with a heavier pillion on. That’s something newer riders will really appreciate, for it’ll give them a lot of confidence. 

• When we talk about the designs, the SP125 looks quite classy and the changes over the Shine 125 are nicely done: just enough to make it more youthful without changing the Shine 125’s foundationHonda has also given the SP125 more youthful colourways. 

• While the Super Splendor Xtec 2.0 looks nicer with its latest update, it still looks like a humble 125cc commuter. Even the new colourways can’t change the fact that it’s still a slightly plain design when compared to the elegant SP125. So the design battle is won by the Honda SP125. 

Features & Safety

• The Honda SP125’s deluxe variant has a big TFT console, which does look quite premium. Now, while that does raise the appeal of the bike, the console doesn’t actually pack as many features as the Super Splendor Xtec 2.0.

• The Super Splendor, with its more basic LCD console, has a lot many features. There are even nifty little bits like a real-time mileage indicator and a service reminder, apart from the usual ones. 

• In terms of the sheer number of features, the Super Splendor Xtec 2.0 wins this round. But if we talk about having a more premium aesthetic appeal, the SP125’s TFT console is hard to beat. 

Engines

• The Honda SP125 makes marginally more power and less torque than the Shine 125. It’s not a significant amount so definitely not something you need to pay a lot of attention to. 

• The Super Splendor is down on both power and torque, but the overall riding feels of the engines should be quite similar. They’re both quite grunty, meaning there’s good acceleration right off the line. That makes overtaking in the city that much easier. 

• Both are quite easy to ride engines too, so you can gently chug around in the city in a higher gear and slower speeds. The two engines are also reasonably smooth, but if we had to compare, we’d say the Honda engine is just a bit smoother. 

• On the highway, they both will feel a bit stressed after about 65kmph. A 75-80kmph cruise can be held with some  amount of vibrations. On the whole, they do the job you expect from a 125cc bike quite well. 

Verdict 

To sum things up, both the Hero Super Splendor Xtec 2.0 and the Honda SP125 are good 125cc bikes that do the basics quite well. Beyond that, it depends on the sort of experience you want. If you want a bike that looks and feels a bit more premium while having a fancy-ish console too, the Honda SP125 makes a bit more sense. And that is if you’re ready to pay a bit more for it as well. But if you’re on a thin budget and want something a bit more functional, while being okay to give up on a fanciness, the Super Splendor Xtec 2.0 will be the one for you. 

Comparisons With Other Rivals: 

Hero Super Splendor Xtec 2.0 vs Honda Shine 125 - The Super Splendor Xtec 2.0 has more features, better colourways and costs a bit more. If you’re ready to pay for that, it’ll feel like a more all-round bike. 

Hero Super Splendor Xtec 2.0 vs TVS Raider 125 - Want something sporty and fun? Get the TVS Raider. If you want something more commuter-ish and mileage-focused, get the Super Splendor.

Hero Super Splendor Xtec 2.0 vs Bajaj Pulsar 125 -  The Bajaj Pulsar 125 feels like quite a dated bike so unless you’re a hardcore Pulsar fanboy/fangirl, the Super Splendor makes for the better deal.