Hero Passion Plus Disc: Same Price, Other Options

Very few motorcycles have stayed as consistently relevant in the crowded Indian commuter motorcycle market as the Hero Passion Plus. In its latest avatar, it feels even more desirable, thanks to its mature styling and features such as a projector LED headlamp, a fully digital instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity, Hero's Idle Stop-Start System (i3S), a USB charging port, and more. Along with all these, the new Passion Plus Disc also offers a front disc brake for an ex-showroom price tag of Rs 84,128 (Delhi).

That said, if you are still not convinced by the Passion Plus Disc, the market opens up in interesting ways at a similar price point. So, let’s check out what different personalities you can pick for the Passion’s money.

Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel

Price: Rs 82,710 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

From Hero's own stable, the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel brings something genuinely different. It is India's first flex-fuel commuter motorcycle, built to run on up to E85 (85 per cent) ethanol-blended fuel. In a country where fuel prices are a constant concern, and the government is actively pushing ethanol adoption, this is quite a forward-thinking buy.

The familiar 97.2cc engine, when running on E85, delivers slightly more, about 8.5PS of power and 8.3Nm of torque. The bike also gets i3S idle stop-start technology, a new digi-analogue meter with an ethanol blend indicator, and a USB charging port. Apart from that, it runs on the same trusted platform that has been trusted and admired by Indian families for decades.

Honda Livo Disc

Price: Rs 82,897 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Honda's name alone carries a great deal of weight, and the Honda Livo Disc is one of the smartest and sportiest-looking options in the 100-110cc segment. It gets a fully digital LCD instrument cluster displaying real-time mileage, distance to empty, gear position, and an Eco mode indicator, all of which are genuinely useful on a daily commute.

The 110cc air-cooled engine produces 8.8PS and 9.3Nm, mated to a 4-speed gearbox. Its 240mm front disc with CBS offers confident stopping. Other thoughtful touches include a side-stand engine cut-off, 5-step adjustable rear suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels with tubeless tyres, and a long, comfortable single-piece seat. Honda's reputation for long-term engine refinement makes this a very compelling buy, that too, at roughly Rs 1,200 less than the Passion Plus Disc.

Bajaj Pulsar 125 Neon Single Seat

Price: Rs 87,255 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

If the idea of riding a commuter bike does not excite you, the Pulsar 125 Neon is a genuinely fun alternative without stretching your budget too far. Along with the Pulsar’s iconic, sporty styling, it features an all-LED headlamp, neon highlights, 3D logos, and other premium highlights that all give it a street presence well above its price tag.

Under the sharp styling is a 125cc twin-spark DTS-i engine, producing 11.8PS and 10.8Nm, making it the most powerful motorcycle engine on this list. It has a 5-speed gearbox, telescopic front suspension, 5-step Nitrox rear suspension, a 240mm ventilated front disc with anti-skid tech, and a 15-litre fuel tank that means fewer stops. The digital console with sporty analogue tachometer and USB charging comes as standard on this variant. It costs roughly Rs 3,000 more than the Passion Plus, but for anyone who wants a sportier daily ride, the Pulsar 125 is hard to argue with.

TVS Jupiter 110 SmartXonnect (Drum / Disc)

Price: Rs 83,775 (Drum SXC) / Rs 86,375 (Disc SXC) (ex-showroom, Delhi)

What if a motorcycle is not what you are after at all? The TVS Jupiter 110 SXC is the most feature-loaded 110cc scooter you can buy around this price, and it brings a completely different kind of daily convenience to the table.

It offers a huge 33-litre under-seat storage, in which you can keep two decent helmets, a front storage pocket, a convenient foot board, dual luggage hooks and a long, comfortable seat that all take its utility quotient much higher than a motorcycle. With an all-LED lighting system, it doesn't just look smart but gets a host of techy features too, such as a fully digital colour LCD console with TVS SmartXonnect, offering voice-assisted navigation, call and SMS alerts, crash and fall alert (with emergency contact notification), last parked location tracking, and real-time ride stats in the SXC variant. Moreover, you can opt for the front disc brake variant by paying around Rs 2,600 more than the SmartXonnect trim.

Vida VX2 Go 3.4kWh

Price: Rs 81,990 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

If you have been curious about going electric, the Vida VX2 Go 3.4kWh could be a perfect option to start with. It is built by Hero MotoCorp's EV brand, priced under the Passion Plus, and addresses the two biggest concerns about EVs, range and charging convenience.

Its 3.4kWh battery claims to deliver a range of up to 146km (IDC) on a full charge, which comfortably covers most people's commuting requirements without daily charging. The top speed is 70kmph, and it comes with two riding modes (Eco and Ride), helping you get used to its electric acceleration. What really sets it apart is the removable battery packs that can be charged anywhere with a regular 5amp socket. The best part is its running cost is just about Rs 0.17 per kilometre (claimed) when you charge it at home. Plus, its sharp appearance, all-LED lighting, and features such as a TFT display, connected tech, smartphone charging port, large underseat storage and a frunk make the Vida VX2 Go a sensible and smart commuting choice.