Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel vs Hero HF Deluxe Flex Fuel: Detailed Comparison

India has got its first 100cc flex fuel motorcycles – the Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel. They share a lot of equipment and tech with each other, but this detailed comparison will help you find what makes the difference.

Price & Variants

• The Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel costs about Rs 10,000 more than the HF Deluxe Flex Fuel, making the latter a better option for budget-conscious buyers.

• Considering the availability of E20+ fuel, these bikes will first go on sale in Delhi and select parts of Maharashtra, before going on sale pan-India.

• Both bikes are offered with a 5 years / 70,000km warranty.

Design & Dimension

• Based on the same platform, both motorcycles measure and weigh nearly identically, except the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel is slightly longer.

• The most noticeable difference here is the seat height. With a 20mm lower seat height, the Splendor becomes more accessible to shorter riders, while taller riders will find the HF Deluxe more suitable.

• While both motorcycles feature simple and straightforward commuter designs, their styling is the key differentiating factor. With its iconic, boxy shape, the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel looks more premium and aspirational, while the HF Deluxe Flex Fuel is slightly angular and focused on affordability.

• The two get the same Black colour option with Lime Yellow graphics, though.
  

Ride & Handling

Features & Equipment

• Instead of chasing flashy technology, both bikes stick to the essentials with halogen headlamps, a digi-analogue console, tubeless tyres and electric start, prioritising everyday usability and long-term dependability.

• The side stand engine cut-off and IBS are common safety features on both bikes. The first one prevents the bike from starting when the side stand is down. The latter makes braking safer by distributing the force to the front and rear end when you apply only the rear brake.

• The biggest difference in equipment between the two bikes is the i3S (Idle Stop-Start) technology on the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel. The tech helps improve fuel efficiency in city traffic by switching the engine off when the bike is stationary for a few seconds, such as at traffic signals, and you can simply restart the bike just by pulling the clutch lever.

• The Splendor Plus also gets a USB charger, which lets you top up your phone battery on the go.

Engine & Performance

• Both bikes are powered by the same engine that delivers 7 per cent more power and 3 per cent more torque (when running on E85 fuel) than their existing E20-compliant variants.

• The all-upshift gearbox with a heel & toe lever is also common on both bikes, which is pretty slick and super easy to use in traffic.

• The updated fuel system, ECU, and a few other components make the two bikes capable of running on petrol mixed with up to E85 petrol.

Verdict

The core proposition is the same on both motorcycles: same engine, same eco-friendly flex fuel capability, same basic build quality, and the same Hero reliability that has made the petrol versions of both models bestsellers for years.

The Splendor Plus Flex Fuel is the relatively more feature-rich option, offering i3S technology, and a USB charging port. On the other hand, the HF Deluxe is considerably more affordable by Rs 10,000, without missing any essentials.

The choice comes down to whether you are a value-focused buyer who just wants flex fuel technology at the most accessible price point, or you can pay over slightly more for a couple of extra features and the Splendor’s legacy nameplate.

Other Rivals

• The Hero Splendor Plus runs only on up to E20 petrol, while the Flex Fuel version pushes the limit up to E85 fuel, and also delivers slightly higher power and torque.

• The TVS Star City Plus offers slightly larger and upmarket features than the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel.

• If you are looking for a larger engine without compromising practicality, the TVS Radeon could be a better pick than the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel.

• The TVS Sport is one of the most affordable commuter bikes in the segment, undercutting the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel by a significant margin.

• Along with the best-in-class fuel efficiency, the Bajaj Platina 100 offers a more comfortable suspension than the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel.

• The Honda Shine 100 is more refined and has slightly better quality than the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel.