One of the most contested segments in the Indian market is the 125cc commuter segment. While there are a plethora of motorcycles in this segment, but three motorcycles have put their name to the test and are synonymous with the commuter class. The first one is the Hero MotoCorp’s Super Splendor, the second is the Bajaj Pulsar 125 and the third is the Honda SP125, the Made in India version of which is also being exported to the European market.
Engine:
The Hero MotoCorp Super Splendor is powered by a 124.7cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, 4-stroke OHC engine that makes 10.9 PS of power and 10.6 Nm of torque matched to a 5-speed transmission. The Pulsar 125 is powered by a 124.4cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, counterbalanced, DTS-i engine with electronic fuel injection technology that produces 11.8 PS of power and 10.8 Nm of torque matched to a 5-speed gearbox. The Honda SP125 is powered by a 124cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, air-cooled engine producing 10.7 Hp of power and 10.9 Nm of torque matched to a 5-speed gearbox. While all three are similar in terms of power and torque with the exception of the Pulsar which is slightly more powerful than the two, it is also considerably heavier at 142kg of kerb weight as compared to the 123 kg kerb weight of the Super Splendor and the 118 kg kerb weight of the Honda SP125.
Chassis, Suspension, Brakes & Dimensions:
The Hero Super Splendor comes with a tubular diamond frame that rides on Telescopic Hydraulic Shock Absorbers on the front and 5-step Adjustable Hydraulic Shock Absorbers on the rear. Stopping power comes from 130mm front drum brake with optional 240 mm front disc and 130 mm rear drum. The Super Splendor comes with 1273 mm of the wheelbase, 180 mm of ground clearance and 12-litre of fuel tank capacity. The Bajaj Pulsar 125 features conventional telescopic front forks, twin gas-charged shock absorbers on the rear, a 240mm single hydraulically operated disc on the front and a 140mm mechanically operated drum brake on the rear with Anti-Skid Braking system. The Pulsar comes with a 1320 mm of the wheelbase, 165 mm of ground clearance and 11.5-litres of fuel tank capacity. The Honda SP125 comes with a diamond type chassis with conventional telescopic front fork suspension, twin hydraulic rear suspension 240 mm disc with the option of 130 mm drum brake on the front and 130 mm drum brake on the rear. The Honda SP125 features 1285 mm of the wheelbase, 160 mm in ground clearance and 11-litres of fuel tank capacity.
Design & Features:
The Hero Super Splendor features a classic commuter design that comes with a trapezoidal headlamp with a body-coloured headlight shroud with an integrated flyscreen, a single bench seat, ergonomic seats and handlebar, a low slung exhaust 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and xSens technology that comes with a bank-angle sensor, throttle position sensor, engine oil temperature sensor, vehicle speed sensor, crank position sensor, oxygen sensor, manifold absolute pressure sensor, intake air temperature sensor and i3S engine start/stop. The Pulsar 125 comes with a design that appeals to the younger generation and comes with a halogen headlamp with a body-coloured shroud a flyscreen, the hallmark Pulsar tank with sharp tank extensions, LED pilot lamps, infinity twin strip LED tail lamps, a wide digital instruments console, clip-on style handlebars, side cowling with accented gills, a sharp angular rear cowling and black 17-inch alloy wheels. The Honda SP125 features a DC LED headlamp with a body-coloured headlight shroud and a flyscreen, angular tank design, bold graphics, single bench seats with ergonomic handlebars, angular tank shrouds, 18-inch alloy wheels, Honda’s unique ACG starter motor, fully-digital instruments console with real-time mileage, average fuel economy, distance to empty, Enhanced Smart Power (eSP) technology, Integrated Smart Single Switch for passing signal and low/high beam etc.
Price:
The Hero MotoCorp Super Splendor is priced starting INR 69,450 ex-showroom, Delhi for the Drum Brake version and INR 72,950 ex-showroom, Delhi for the Disc Brake variant. The Bajaj Pulsar 125 is priced starting INR 72,122 ex-showroom, Delhi for the single-seat Neon version and INR 73,274 ex-showroom, Delhi for the Split-Seat version. The Honda SP125 is priced starting from INR 75,010 ex-showroom, Delhi for the Drum brake version and INR 79,210 ex-showroom, Delhi for the Disc brake version.