Hero Splendor iSmart 110 – All you need to know
Hero first unveiled the Splendor iSmart 110 at the Auto Expo in 2016, and it entered the market very quickly after its reveal. Now the name and suffix may sound familiar, but the iSmart is the first new bike that rolled out of Hero’s CIT in Jaipur. We have a look into what is all-new about this bike.
Smart looks
The first motorcycle that comes to mind when you look at the Hero Splendor iSmart 110 is the 100cc iSmart. However, there are details that separate it from its smaller-capacity sibling from Hero Bikes. The Hero Splendor iSmart 110 is bigger and the two-tone paint theme is very attractive; it gives the bike a premium look and really stands out in some colours. Even the mirrors get the two-tone finish; then there are some graphics that include a huge but faintly visible stickering saying ‘i3S’ on the fuel tank along with the badge of course. The tank of the Hero Splendor iSmart 110 has a lovely sculpted look to it and gels well with the proportions of the motorcycle. Swing a leg over and you will realise just how comfortable it is, giving your thighs good support. We also liked details like the sharper bikini fairing, the trapezoidal headlamp, those clear-lens indicators and a restyled split grab rail for the pillion. The angular tail light also gels with the design nicely. The bike features a new instrument cluster with a pair of analogue dials for the speedometer and fuel gauge, plus an LCD panel for the odometer and trip information. We find that the blue accents in the cluster give it a premium look. What put us off are the slim forks and weedy tyres, but remember, this is a bike that will serve to those looking at fuel efficiency. Fit and finish is quite good too. Ergonomics-wise, you are seated comfortably and the length of the seat makes room for the pillion. You don’t feel you’re seated on something that’s cheap.
Economy ranger
Hero Bikes have given this motorcycle a 110cc air-cooled engine, made in-house. The engine produces 9bhp and 9Nm of torque. The 4-speed gearbox shifts smoothly and with well-spaced out ratios, it works nicely with the engine’s torque spread. It also gets the original all-up shift pattern. The flat torque curve after 3000rpm works well with the tractability of the bike. The engine pulls well in fourth gear provided you don’t hurry the throttle, and the speed picks up from a standstill without the clutch, making it ideal for use in traffic. We managed a top speed of 90kph but on longer and wider stretches of tarmac, the bike can do 100kph. However, you do feel a prominent buzz on the footpegs at that speed. The bike features a new exhaust. In the mid-range, it sounds nicer than most commuter motorcycles. Even the chassis is all-new: a traditional tubular dual-cradle frame, which Hero Bikes say, has improved torsional rigidity and strength, resulting in better handling and ride quality. The ride is reasonably good and the motorcycle feels nimble without feeling unnerving. The bike takes weight load extremely well. Also, the bike’s rear suspension is adjustable and the braking performance is adequate.
Worth it?
One thing is clear: this is not an enthusiast’s bike; it’s perfect for commuters though. However, it manages to get a lot of things right, like fuel efficiency, design, refinement, and features. Even in terms of value, this is a motorcycle that offers a lot. We just wish the tyres provided more grip and we found the rear-view mirrors a bit small.
