If you inquire from me which enterprise has performed the most secure recreation within the Indian motorbike market, my answer almost always stops at Hero. And now the 2026 New Hero Splendor a hundred twenty five is right here. The moment you listen the call, a familiar photo comes to mind. Reliable, no nonsense, and that line you listen everywhere from villages to cities if it's miles a Splendor, there is no anxiety.
But this is precisely where the actual query begins. It is 2026, that is a 125cc motorcycle, and may the logo call alone nevertheless do all of the heavy lifting?
Design Old Face, Slightly New Shirt
Let me be very clean. If you study the 2026 Splendor one hundred twenty five from a distance, it'll not wonder you. The same familiar frame, the same directly and simple traces. Yes, the graphics are cleanser, the headlamp now has a touch of LED, and the tail section looks a bit much less old.

I remember back in 2019, a dealer once told me sir, a Splendor customer does not buy design, he buys trust. At that time, I did not fully get it. Now I do. Hero knows very well that if they make this bike too stylish, the core buyer might actually feel uncomfortable.
Engine and Performance It Is 125cc, But the Energy Is Limited
The engine on the new Splendor 125 looks better on paper. Slightly more power, the same old big mileage claims. The company says it is smoother and more efficient than before.
From my experience, Hero engines rarely create drama in real life. I have ridden so many Splendors over the last 10 years that I can almost recognize them by sound. This engine will do exactly that. Start in the morning, reach office without complaints, come back in the evening. That is it. But if you are thinking that since it is 125cc, overtaking will suddenly feel exciting, slow down your expectations. This bike is not built for thrill. It is built to stay in its lane.
The Mileage Game Claims Versus Reality
You cannot talk about mileage without talking about Splendor. The numbers the company throws around sound sweet to the ears. But one incident comes back to my mind. In 2021, a customer came to a service center with his Splendor and said, sir, you told me it would give 65, it is stuck at 55. The technician just smiled and replied, brother, it gives exactly what your riding style deserves. The 2026 Splendor 125 is the same story. Ride gently, and your wallet stays happy. Push it hard every day, and then do not complain.
Also read : Hero Splendor Plus Xtec Old-School Feel, New-School Features
Features and Technology Just Enough, No Show Off
This is where some people will feel disappointed. There is no big touchscreen, no Bluetooth calling, no navigation tricks. You do get a digital instrument cluster that is clear and easy to read.
Honestly speaking, a typical Splendor buyer does not really need more than this. I once asked someone why he did not care about Bluetooth. His answer was simple the phone is better off in my pocket. I need to ride the bike.
Ride Quality and Comfort This Is the Real Strength
Splendor has always been friendly to bad roads. The 2026 model continues that tradition. The suspension is soft, the seat is long, and complaints of back pain will be rare. This motorcycle will feel just as comfortable in rural areas as it does in city traffic. And that, honestly, is its biggest strength.
Brand Trust and Risk Factor
Trust in Hero has become a habit in India. But risk never fully disappears. Service quality is not the same everywhere. Some cities are excellent, some small towns still depend on luck.
And one more thing. With new emission technology, early batches often show small issues. I have personally seen two cases where sensor related problems popped up within the first three months. They were fixed later, but the headache was real.
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My Take Who This Bike Is Really For
If you are a college student looking for style, this bike might bore you. If you ride 40 kilometers every day, track fuel expenses closely, and want a long term relationship with your motorcycle, the 2026 New Hero Splendor 125 fits your mindset. This is a motorcycle built more for the brain than the heart. And in India, there are still plenty of buyers who think before they feel.
In the end, I will say just this. Splendor has not tried to reinvent itself. It has only tried to become a slightly better version of what it already is. Some people want exactly that. Some do not. The choice is yours.


