HF Deluxe vs Splendor Plus: Differences Explained

In India’s commuter universe, few badges carry the kind of everyday respect that the HF Deluxe and Splendor Plus enjoy. These aren’t motorcycles built to thrill your senses or make a statement at the office parking lot. They’re built for something far more important — to show up, every single day, without complaint. They’re the machines that start at dawn, glide through chaotic traffic, return fantastic mileage numbers, and ask for almost nothing in return. And yet, for two bikes that appear nearly identical on paper, Hero has given them slightly different personalities. Put them next to each other, though, and questions naturally arise: What really sets them apart? And which one deserves your money today? Let’s break it down, spec by spec, to find out.

Design

Visually, the Splendor Plus carries forward its long-established boxy tank shape and commuter-bike proportions – the kind of styling that generations of riders recognise and trust. The motorcycle measures around 2,000mm in length and 1,052mm in height, unnoticeably larger than the HF Deluxe.

The HF Deluxe, while similar in its fundamental commuter stance, opts for a slightly sharper detailing and a trimmed-down approach, reinforcing the budget workhorse stance. What mainly differentiates it from the Splendor Plus is the curved headlamp housing and slightly sculpted fuel tank.

The Splendor Plus offers over double the colour options as the HF Deluxe, but both offer the same 5-spoke alloy wheels. From a design standpoint, you’ll feel a little more “legacy comfort” on the Splendor and a little more “value?first simplicity” on the HF Deluxe.

Engine

Under the skin, both bikes are powered by the same 97.2 cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder  motor, producing around 8.02PS at 8,000rpm and 8.05Nm at 6,000rpm, and they have the same four-speed transmission too.  The i3S (Idle Stop-Start System) and other mileage centric features also appear in both lines, depending on the variant. Both motorcycles weigh about 112kg (kerb), meaning performance is near identical.

Underpinnings

Despite too many similarities, there are subtle yet meaningful differences in the underpinnings. Both are built on a tubular double-cradle type frame, suspended on a  telescopic fork and preload-adjustable twin shock absorbers. The difference here is that the Splendor Plus offers 5-step adjustable shocks, while the HF Deluxe gets only 2-step adjustability.

Both run on 18-inch alloy wheels, shod with 80/100 section tubeless tyres. For braking, both offer 130mm drum brakes at the front and rear. In terms of ride feel, you’ll likely notice the Splendor’s rear suspension gives a smoother ride under load or bumps; the Deluxe keeps things simpler and lower cost.

Features

Features-wise, the base models are quite similar: both have a twin-pod analogue instrument cluster with speedometer, fuel gauge, trip/odometer, and necessary telltale indicators. The HF Deluxe starts to show its premium intent with its higher variants getting a full digital console, whereas on the Splendor Plus, you’d have to go for the Xtec variant to get something comparable.

On practical terms, they both have self-start and kick-start, alloy wheels, and tubeless tyres — the basic commuter features are well covered. The combined braking system and side-stand indicator are among the common standard safety features.

Price and Verdict

The starting price is considerably different on both the models. It depends on whether you want something relatively simple, or are willing to spend more for extra convenience. While the HF looks a bit basic, Splendor has a slightly premium appeal as well as a long-standing legacy.