I own a 2000 model splendor, the first time when the bike was introduced with a redesigned silencer (of course to comply to noise pollution norms). For almost six years, 2000 through 2006, many a ’value’ bike have come and gone and still splendor reigns supreme in its class of bikes. Probably Kawasaki Bajaj Caliber was one of the strongest competitors then for the faithful splendor. Six years since then, I have no regrets in making this decision.
THE GOODIES
In its class, the bike presents an excellent price-performance package: unmatched reliability, superior product qualty, and a decent ride comfort. If there is something about Splendor that is worth a special mention, it is its consistent mileage.
Like the love of a mother for her child never dries down, the splendor offers a consistent average under trying conditions. For the first couple of years, the bike gave me an average of 75kmpl. After six years of running in different terrains - from the suburbs of Coimbatore to the dense traffic of Delhi - it still returns a very commendable 66kmpl.
The recurring cost of ownership, unlike many ofher bikes of the same class, is too light a burden. It calls for an occassional (once in 6 months) service that would demand about 500 to 700 bucks out of your wallet. If you are tough with this fellow, he is sure to be tough on your wallet!
THE CONSTRAINTS
Not that the bike cannot deliver a good peak performance, of course, it clocks an amazing 85 tp 95 kmph. But the crucial point here is it takes a couple or more yawns to accomplish this. Splendor is not surely for a speed and power enthusiast who epects a very strong pickup and a fair mileage.
WHAT ELSE?
Now that bike enthusiasts have more than a handful of options to check out - the alternatives that I would suggest is a Bajaj Discover. Carrying a similar price tag of splendor and its new avatars of successors, Discover offers a stupendous price-performance mix. Nevertheless, Splendor has seen every rise and fall for almost a decade and it has surely stood the test of time.
In a Nutshell:
"Splendor, splendor indeed!"