Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel vs TVS Star City Plus: Detailed Comparison

The Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel and TVS Star City Plus both cater to India's everyday commuting needs, but they take slightly different routes to the task. One builds on the legacy of the world's best-selling commuter motorcycle by adding future-ready flex-fuel technology, while the other focuses on offering sportier styling and a more premium feature set. If you're confused about which of the two deserves to be your everyday ride partner, this detailed comparison will help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

Pricing and Variants

• Even at the discounted introductory price, the Hero Splendor costs more than both variants of the TVS Start City Plus.

• At its standard price, the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel is roughly Rs. 10,000 more expensive than the base TVS Star City Plus and Rs 7,500 more expensive than the Disc variant.

• The Star City Plus is offered in two variants, giving buyers a choice between affordability and sharper braking performance.

• Both motorcycles offer excellent peace of mind with a standard 5-year warranty. The mileage limit on the warranty for Hero is 70,000km, while for TVS is 60,000km.

Design and Dimensions

 Dimensionally, both bikes measure quite similarly.

• The TVS Star City Plus has a slightly longer wheelbase, adding to its stability. Meanwhile, the shorter wheelbase should make the Splendor feel a bit more agile.

• A little higher ground clearance gives the Star City Plus an edge in navigating rough Indian roads and speed breakers.

• With the same saddle height and negligible weight difference, both should feel equally accessible to most Indian riders.

• The Splendor Plus Flex Fuel retains its iconic, boxy silhouette, updated with Lime Yellow graphics to highlight its flex-fuel identity. However, it is available in only one colour, which might feel limiting to some buyers.

• The Star City Plus looks more stylish and features dual-tone colours, chrome touches, an LED headlamp, red suspension springs, wheel pinstripe, and a 3D logo. Plus, its edgy, angular silhouette makes it one of the sharpest-looking entry commuters.

Ride and Handling

 The Splendor Plus Flex Fuel’s double-cradle frame should give it a slightly more planted feel and helps it handle braking forces more effectively.

• Both motorcycles use similar types of suspension setups, tuned for a plush ride that is well-suited to everyday commuting.

• Larger wheels add to the Splendor’s stable and relaxed handling character, while smaller wheels make the TVS Sport feel a bit more nimble and easier to manoeuvre through traffic.

• The Splendor Plus Flex Fuel has a slight advantage in rear braking performance, thanks to its larger brake drum. However, the optional front disc brake provides the Star City Plus with much sharper braking performance.

Features and Equipment

• The TVS Star City Plus features a segment-first LED headlight.

• Both bikes come with analogue instrument clusters with small LCD screens, and a USB charging port.

• Hero equips the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel with i3S technology that helps save fuel by automatically shutting down the engine at traffic lights and instantly restarting it when you pull the clutch. The Star City Plus counters with an Econometer, which guides you to ride in the most fuel-efficient rev zone.

• Another common feature on both bikes is CBS for safe braking. 

Engine and Performance

• Both bikes are powered by basic air-cooled engines, although the TVS Star City Plus benefits from a slightly larger displacement.

• The Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel delivers a bit more power, but only when running on E85 fuel, that too, at a higher rev range.

• The Star City Plus also produces more torque (8.7Nm compared to Splendor’s 8.3Nm on E85) and delivers it earlier in the rev range. This translates to stronger pulling power in stop-and-go city traffic.

• That extra capacity helps the Star City Plus produce a bit more torque that arrives much lower in the rev range. This translates to stronger pull and effortless riding in stop-and-go city traffic.

• The biggest advantage of the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel is its ability to run on petrol blended with up to 85 per cent ethanol, making the motorcycle future-ready as ethanol adoption increases.

• The TVS Sport makes up for it with better fuel efficiency while running on widely available E20 fuel, making it an appealing option in cities where E20+ fuel is unavailable. 

BikeDekho Says

The Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel and TVS Star City Plus are both excellent motorcycles, but they are built for entirely different types of buyers.

If you're planning for the long term and want a motorcycle that's ready for higher ethanol-blended petrol in the future, the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel is worth the extra investment. Add to that the proven reliability and familiarity of the iconic Splendor platform, and it's easy to see why it remains a compelling choice in the commuter segment.

Otherwise, if you are looking for a feature-packed, all-rounder commuter for today's roads, the TVS Star City Plus offers greater value. It gives you a punchier yet more efficient engine, an enhanced braking option, and slightly more premium styling, all at a lower upfront cost.

The choice depends on whether you are planning for tomorrow or you want the best value and features for today.

Other Rivals

• The HF Deluxe Flex Fuel saves you around Rs 10,000, while the Splendor Flex Fuel adds i3S and a USB charger.

• Another strong 110cc contender from TVS, the Radeon offers a fully digital display, front disc brake, and a more premium feel than the Splendor Flex Fuel.

• Known for its buttery-smooth engine refinement and flawless build quality, the Honda Shine 100 is priced aggressively against the Splendor.

• With an ultra-comfortable suspension and class-leading fuel efficiency, the Bajaj Platina 100 becomes a default pick for purely budget-focused buyers.

• One of the most affordable commuters in India, the TVS Sport costs roughly Rs. 20,000 less than the Splendor Flex Fuel.