Miles to go...(The 1,35,000 km saga). Review on Hero Honda Splendor

13 years, 135000 kms -- time to write, I guess.

I am not writing a review.  Just giving facts and figures as it appear in the service record.

Model -- Splendor '99 August, Black (you guessed it with blue and pink shades and just before it was updated with a silent silencer.  So mine still gives an unmuffled  heartening thud thud...

Replacements:

1.  Two Headlamp bulbs.

1. Rear tyre twice, front tyre once

   
   




2. Brake shoes-- Rear ones thrice, front once

   
   




3. Steering cone set --  thrice.

   
   




4. Timing Chain  - once

   
   




5. Front fork bush - twice

   
   




6. Battery-  four times

   
   




7. Clutch cable-  once

   
   




8. Speedocable inner -  thrice.  Full Cable once

   
   

10.Spark plug - once

1. Air filter element -  thrice

   
   




2. Seat Cover-  twice

   
   

13.  Front fork pipes-- not changed yet but imminent.

yeah, the list ends here.

What about the drive chain?, one will ask.  Well company service expert said we should change it at next service at 30000 Km.  Now going strong after about 1 lakh km without replacement.  Experts!  Cheats! The engine too has not been opened so far.

Servicing

You guessed it.  Who else but me.

All I do is change the engine oil, lubricate the drive chain, check the battery and clean the spark plug and air filter at 2000 to 2200 km ==without fail. == Once in a while I fill Xtra Premium petrol to clean up the combustion.  For changing fork oil and steering conset I visit a nearby wrokshop who are willing to work while I am there.(Under my watchful eyes;-))

Usage

My monthly usage was about 2000km when I bought it but then I got transferred close to my home so it went down to 1000km and then to 500km.  I ride at 50-60 km speed regularly.

Efficiency

Mileage never went below 60, the average is still 65.

Comfort

Good for me.  Back suspension still makes kush, kush sounds and ride is not tiring.  I still do an occassional 120km trip and my back is not complaining.

Part that failed

If you owned a splendor you will not go wrong here.  It is the fuel gauge.  It went bust at about 2000km.

Which Honda needs a fuel gauge anyway?

Breakdown

Never

Verdict.

So here is a machine which feels like an extension of my body.  Who am I to give a verdict?  Would I do something like that about my wife?  Or even dare to write a review about her???