Quite a good bike but... Review on Hero Honda Splendor

When I reached the showroom to buy a Splendor plus, I was in for a surprise!. I could'nt help but looking at its ''brother'' - Hero Honda Passion plus. The looks were stunning and it had the same Splendor engine. But I waited before I decided to buy it. I quickly came to know of the drawbacks of the bike- the pickup and mileage! (thanks to mouthshut reviews!)

But the only colours available for the Splendor(at the showroom) were gaudy shades of red, blue and a black one with lemon yellow stickers. The new stickers too were hopeless! I even decided to go for another brand. But a week later, the showroom was filled with a dizzying range of Splendor plus bikes.They even had an old-sticker-version. Finally I went for an orange black combination which seemed OK.

The first thing I noticed, as I drove the vehicle was the springy suspension, the next were the powerful halogen lights. The horn and beepers were loud and clear. The vehicle had a definite presence, even at night, without making any noise.

After the first 400 kms the Splendor gave me a ''soul satisfying'' 70 kmpl mileage. The only problem I had while driving this bike was the speed range of the first gear. After 15 kmph the engine whines without moving. The second gear surely lacks the pull, especially while driving inclines in subways.It would have been better if the first gear had a speed range of 20 - 25 kmph.

On the whole, the bike is a combination of looks, mileage and riding comfort without costing the earth