Hero’s First BS6-compliant Motorcycle Hits The Road

Hero has commenced deliveries of the Splendor iSmart BS6 to customers in New Delhi

• The new Splendor iSmart BS6 was launched last week at Rs 64,900.
• It uses a new 113.2cc fuel-injected motor that also gets i3S stop-start technology.
• The new Splendor is based on a more rigid diamond-type frame.

Hero launched its first BS6-compliant motorcycle in India last week in the form of the Splendor iSmart BS6. Not one to waste any time, the manufacturer has already begun delivering the new bike to customers in New Delhi. The bikes had reached certain dealerships in early September for product familiarisation purposes, and the Splendor iSmart BS6 will be available at all of Hero’s dealerships within the next 3-4 weeks.

The new Splendor iSmart uses a 113.2cc motor, Hero’s first fuel-injected engine to feature i3S stop-start technology. While peak power at 9PS is 0.5PS lower than the BS4 version, Hero has focused on usability and the new engine produces 10 per cent more torque throughout the rev range with a maximum of 9.89Nm.

Hero has also given the Splendor a new diamond-type frame, as a result of which its wheelbase has increased by 36mm and ground clearance is up by 15mm while still maintaining the same seat height. Front suspension travel has gone up by 15mm and the headlight has been made brighter too. All these updates have resulted in a marginal price hike, with the Splendor now retailing at Rs 64,900 (ex-showroom). It is only offered in one variant with alloy wheels and a front disc brake.

BS6 emission norms are still some time away, coming into effect on April 1 next year. However, we are already seeing a number of BS6-compliant two-wheelers being launched in the country. Honda was the first, with its Activa 125, and Yamaha has also recently updated some of its motorcycles to comply with the upcoming norms. This tells us that the transition from BS4 to BS6 should be much smoother than the previous transition from BS3 to BS4, during which many dealers were left with large quantities of unsold and unusable inventory after the new norms took effect. So if you’re hoping for huge discounts on BS4 bikes thanks to stock clearance in March next year, you might be in for a disappointment.