Hero Super Splendor Xtec: The Super Splendor Xtec leaves no significant styling changes or performance tweaks to announce the addition of new tech.
At first glance, it retains the familiar silhouette that has been a constant presence on Indian roads — the clean lines, practical proportions and non-expressive stance are intact.
This visual continuity is intentional, as it is mindful of the conservative tastes of its target demographic but includes contemporary elements in moderation.
“As far as Super Splendor owners are concerned, our surveys consistently led us to believe that robustness and utility were their prime expectations,” says Rajesh Kumar, a product manager at Hero MotoCorp, who asked us to use a fictitious name. “The Xtec improvements should build upon these core values and not run contrary to them.”
That philosophy informs the modest styling updates. The headlamp housing gets a slight redesign to accommodate LED lighting, which offers improved illumination and lower power consumption without radically changing the face of the motorcycle.
Updated graphics and the color options such as the unique Gloss Sparkling Beta Blue and Canvas Black help hold, bringing contemporary touches while retaining plenty of dignity.
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Hero Super Splendor Xtec: Alternate Format for Practical Application
The Xtec designation really comes into play with the motorcycle’s instrument console and connectivity features.
The analog-digital combination cluster consists of an analog speedometer, and a negative-display LCD panel supplying real-time fuel-efficiency figures, two trip meters, and service reminders.
Bluetooth, which used to only exist in higher segments, allows call & SMS alerts when paired with your smartphone.
The real-world implementation is particularly focused on rider safety; instead of flooding the display with distractions, notifications come through as simple icons there for the taking to view basic details while at a stop.
Perhaps most useful to its intended users is the built-in USB charging port, a small touch that betrays the reality of smartphone dependency, even among budget-savvy commuters.
Smartly sited just beneath the handlebar, it can be quickly accessed and helps shield connected devices from the elements, and it’s a nice touch that shows a strong awareness of how modern riders use machines.
Proven Performance Refined
While the minor cosmetic changes and tech updates are readily apparent, the powertrain of the new 2023 Super Splendor is substantially unchanged, which speaks to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” school of thought.
Its 124.7cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine makes 10.8 horsepower at 7500 RPM and 10.6 Nm of torque at 6000 RPM—figures that put it squarely in the middle of its segment.
But these numbers tell only half the story. Hero said that powertrain engineers have concentrated on refinement, rather than outright performance improvements.
In the effort to reduce some mechanical noise and enhance efficiency, the engine gets enhanced intake and exhaust port design, optimized valve timing and newer materials in the friction surfaces.
The five-speed gearbox—now with a smoother actuation due to modified shift forks and a reworked clutch—enables the engine to live in its sweet spot at all speeds.
At highway cruising speeds, fifth gear does well as an overdrive, allowing for less spun/displaced RPMs out of the engine while still improving fuel economy.
On the efficiency front, the Super Splendor Xtec returns a remarkable 68 km/l under ideal testing conditions.
In real-world usage, owners repeatedly report numbers between 60-65 kmpl during combined riding—staggering figures that translate directly to the ownership economics of price-conscious commuters.
Daily Practical Engineering
The Xtec variant keeps the tried and true chassis architecture that has worked over several generations—a single-downtube frame that has just enough stiffness to hold together, but not so much that it doesn’t damp road surfaces well.
The suspension components — telescopic front forks with 120mm of travel, and 5-step adjustable twin rear shock absorbers — are also geared towards comfort and stability rather than sporty handling characteristics.
The 180mm ground clearance enables surefootedness over the treacherous terrain that a typical Indian city or village has to offer, and the front and rear 18-inch wheels ensure stability over undulating surfaces.
The braking system is a 130mm drum brake at the front and the rear, or more normally a 240mm front disc and a rear drum, both with the added safety net of an integrated braking system that divides force between the front and rear when only the rear brake is applied.
The seat does a good job of striking a balance between the conflicting demands of comfort for all-day riding versus secure seating for hopping on and off at regular intervals and the occasional seat for a pillion on one of the very rare occasions when you have a rider behind.
Seat height stands at 765mm, making the motorcycle accessible to riders of various physical statures—a key consideration in a product hard-coded for global access.
The idea is ownership experience shouldn’t just be about the product
The Xtec version also enters into a new technology platform from Hero called “XSens,” which adds a bank angle sensor that can cut off engine power in the event of some sort of crash or fall, a worthwhile safety feature that goes beyond traditional performance specs.
The platform also facilitates more accurate fuel metering and ignition timing control to help the motorcycle achieve its impressive efficiency.
Service intervals are still a favorite 6,000 kilometers, and the digital display includes maintenance reminders.
Hero’s huge service network, which at over 6,000 touchpoints is the largest in India, also means owners are unlikely to have to travel too far for a routine service or unplanned repair — a key benefit for a motorcycle pitched squarely at everyday reliability.
Jacob Morgan | Market Positioning and Value Proposition
The top disc brake variant of the Super Splendor Xtec is priced at roughly ₹79,000 (ex-showroom Delhi), placing it at the upper end of the 125cc commuter segment but not crossing over into entry-level 150cc motorcycle territory.
This pricing indicates that the model is targeting a position in the marketplace as its use, and the purpose it fulfills as a daily driver, are more relevant than the higher-ability aspirations leading to a larger machine.
The value prop goes well beyond the purchase price, up to total cost of ownership. All the above, with great fuel economy, relatively low service costs and Hero’s reputation for mechanical durability make the Super Splendor Xtec very attractive to commuters who value years of hassle-free use more than sheer performance or extensive feature lists.
Hero Super Splendor Xtec: Making Generational Connections Through Thoughtful Progress
There’s no world-changing technology or even best-in-segment performance on the Super Splendor Xtec — but what really matters here is how it manages to bridging generational expectations.
It recognizes the dependence on the smartphone and the expectation of connectivity of younger riders yet retains the reliability, efficiency, and understated dignity that earned their parents’ trust in the Hero brand.
In a market increasingly defined by flash and features, there is still ample room for products that want to focus on substantive quality rather than marketing sizzle.
The Super Splendor Xtec fits the bill nicely, proving that the longstanding traits that made it success don’t necessarily have to be sacrificed at the altar of modernization.
