TVS Radeon BS6 vs Bajaj Platina 110 H-Gear BS6 vs Hero Splendor iSmart BS6: Spec Comparo
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Which 110cc commuter motorcycle should you go for in the BS6 era?
No other motorcycle has enjoyed decade-long success like the Hero Splendor. It has been around for over 25 years and in that span, there have been almost 50 contenders for its throne. Now in the BS6 era, two such contenders have shown much promise with either retro looks or fancy features. Can the TVS Radeon or the Bajaj Platina 110 H-Gear usurp the Splendor iSmart BS6 as the people’s champion? Here’s what the spec sheets state:
ENGINE:
Specifications |
TVS Radeon BS6 |
Bajaj Platina 110 H-Gear BS6 |
Hero Splendor iSmart BS6 |
Engine |
109.7cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, 2-valve, fuel-injected engine |
115.45cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, 2-valve, e-carb engine |
113.2cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, 2-valve, fuel-injected engine |
Power |
8.2PS @ 7,350rpm |
8.6PS @ 7,000rpm |
9.15PS @ 7,500rpm |
Torque |
8.7Nm @ 4,500rpm |
9.81Nm @ 5,000rpm |
9.89Nm @ 5,500rpm |
Gearbox |
4-speed |
5-speed |
4-speed |
Surprisingly, the Splendor trumps the other two when it comes to the max power rating. The torque on offer is pretty much the same as the Platina but Hero’s mill has a higher rev ceiling than others. Also being the lightest in this company helps the Splendor’s case as it should technically be the sprightliest of the lot.
The Platina though might have the legs on the other two thanks to the presence of a fifth cog, the only sub-110cc motorcycle currently on offer with a five-speed gearbox. The claimed ARAI fuel efficiency for the Platina 110 H-Gear was better than that of its 100cc sibling and we can expect the same to continue in the BS6 era. Also, the Platina (and the CT) series of motorcycles are the only ones in the country to get an e-carb, thus saving costs by not plonking in a fuel-injection system.
UNDERPINNINGS:
Specifications |
TVS Radeon BS6 |
Bajaj Platina 110 H-Gear BS6 |
Hero Splendor iSmart BS6 |
Frame |
Single-cradle tubular frame |
Single-cradle tubular frame |
Diamond frame |
Front suspension |
Telescopic fork |
Telescopic fork |
Telescopic fork |
Rear suspension |
5-step preload-adjustable twin shocks |
Gas-charged preload-adjustable twin shocks |
Twin shocks |
Front brake |
240mm disc/130mm drum |
240mm disc |
240mm disc |
Rear brake |
110mm drum |
110mm drum |
130mm drum |
Front tyre |
2.75 x 18 |
80/100-17 |
80/100-18 |
Rear tyre |
3.00 x 18 |
80/100-17 |
80/100-18 |
Of the three, only the Radeon is offered in multiple variants. Comparing the base trims of all, the Platina and the Splendor have the edge, as these two get front disc brakes as standard. On the Radeon, you have to shell out Rs 6,000 more to get better braking performance. CBS is standard across the board.
Each one of these motorcycles runs a different set of wheels. While the tyre sections on the Platina and the Splendor remain the same for the front and rear wheels, the Radeon offers a slightly wider rear tyre. This should help make the bike a little sure-footed.
DIMENSIONS:
Specifications |
TVS Radeon BS6 |
Bajaj Platina 110 H-Gear BS6 |
Hero Splendor iSmart BS6 |
Wheelbase |
1,265mm |
1,255mm |
1,270mm |
Ground clearance |
180mm |
200mm |
180mm |
Fuel tank capacity |
10-litres |
11-litres |
9.5-litres |
Seat height |
NA |
804mm |
799mm |
Kerb weight |
Drum: 116kg Disc: 118kg |
122kg |
116kg |
The Platina 110 H-Gear has the shortest wheelbase among the three. The combination of the short wheelbase and 17-inch wheels should make it a great city slicker, allowing you to easily slice past traffic. It also has an ADV-rivalling 200mm ground clearance, 20mm more than the others. It might be 6kg heavier than the other two, but the kerb weight is not too much, considering you are carrying an extra litre of fuel over the Radeon.
The Radeon here offers the middle ground between the two. The wheelbase is 10mm longer than the Platina, but 5mm shorter than the Splendor. The fuel tank is larger than the Splendor’s and even the weight is on par with the Hero bike.
PRICE & VERDICT:
TVS Radeon BS6 |
Bajaj Platina 110 H-Gear BS6 |
Hero Splendor iSmart BS6 |
Standard drum: Rs 58,992 Premium drum: Rs 61,992 Disc: Rs 64,992 |
Rs 59,802 |
Rs 67,100 |
(All prices, ex-showroom Delhi)
It seems like a no-brainer looking at the specs: the Bajaj Platina 110 H-Gear takes the cake in this segment. It is the most fuel-efficient bike here and also the most affordable of the three. Couple that with the extra highway cruising ability the bike offers, thanks to the presence of H-gear, and Bajaj has a winner on its hands.
Jehan Adil Darukhanawala