The battle between Hero Splendor Plus and Honda Shine continues to dominate India’s commuter motorcycle segment in 2026, with both models representing the most trusted choices for daily transportation. The Hero Splendor Plus, priced between 75,441 and 83,461 rupees ex-showroom, remains India’s highest-selling motorcycle brand with decades of proven reliability. The Honda Shine, starting at 80,250 rupees and going up to 87,251 rupees ex-showroom, offers refined performance and Honda’s legendary build quality. For buyers seeking the ultimate commuter motorcycle, understanding the differences between these two icons is essential.
Both motorcycles have evolved significantly over the years, incorporating modern features while maintaining their core strengths of fuel efficiency, reliability, and affordable maintenance. The Splendor Plus emphasizes maximum fuel economy and lowest ownership costs, while the Shine focuses on refinement, performance, and premium feel. The choice between them often comes down to individual priorities and brand loyalty.
Design and Build Quality Comparison
The Hero Splendor Plus follows a conservative design approach that has proven successful for decades. The motorcycle features a simple, functional styling with chrome accents, a comfortable seat, and practical ergonomics. The latest version includes LED tail lamps, stylish graphics, and improved paint quality. The build quality is solid with good panel fitment, though some plastics feel basic compared to premium commuters.
The Honda Shine adopts a more modern and premium design language with sharper lines and better attention to detail. The motorcycle features a muscular fuel tank, well-integrated panels, and superior fit and finish. The Shine’s build quality is noticeably better with higher-quality plastics, smoother switchgear operation, and more refined overall feel. The LED headlamp and tail lamp add to the contemporary appearance.
Both motorcycles offer adequate ground clearance for Indian road conditions, with the Splendor Plus at 165mm and the Shine at 167mm. The seat height is comfortable for riders of various heights, making both accessible to a wide range of users. The Splendor Plus weighs around 112 kg while the Shine is slightly heavier at 123 kg, though this difference is barely noticeable in daily riding.
Engine Performance and Mileage Comparison
The Hero Splendor Plus is powered by a 97.2cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine producing 7.91 horsepower at 8000 rpm and 8.05 Nm of torque at 6000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 4-speed gearbox that provides adequate performance for city commuting. The Splendor Plus is renowned for its exceptional fuel efficiency, delivering 65-70 kmpl in real-world conditions with careful riding. The company claims up to 83 kmpl under ideal test conditions with i3S technology.
The Honda Shine features a larger 124cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine generating 10.74 horsepower at 7500 rpm and 11 Nm of torque at 6000 rpm. The engine is paired with a 5-speed gearbox that offers better highway cruising capability. The Shine delivers 55-60 kmpl in real-world riding conditions, which is lower than the Splendor Plus but still excellent for a 125cc motorcycle. The additional power makes the Shine more suitable for highway riding and carrying pillion passengers.
The Splendor Plus excels in city traffic with its light clutch, smooth gearbox, and effortless maneuverability. The engine is refined for a 100cc motor, though it can feel strained at speeds above 70 km/h. The Shine offers noticeably better performance with stronger acceleration, higher top speed, and more confidence-inspiring highway capability. The engine refinement is superior with less vibration at all speeds.
Features and Technology Comparison
The Hero Splendor Plus XTEC variant includes modern features like a fully digital instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, call and SMS alerts, and real-time mileage indicator. The i3S (Idle Start-Stop System) technology automatically shuts off the engine at traffic signals to save fuel. The motorcycle also features side-stand engine cut-off, LED tail lamp, and tubeless tires.
The Honda Shine offers a semi-digital instrument cluster with analog speedometer and digital display for fuel gauge, odometer, and trip meter. While it lacks Bluetooth connectivity, the Shine compensates with superior build quality and reliability. The motorcycle features Honda’s Combi-Brake System (CBS) for balanced braking, LED headlamp and tail lamp, and tubeless tires. The Shine’s switchgear quality and overall fit-finish are noticeably better.
Both motorcycles come with drum brakes on both wheels as standard, with disc brake options available on higher variants. The braking performance is adequate for commuter duties, though the Shine’s CBS system provides more confidence during emergency braking. Suspension setup on both motorcycles prioritizes comfort over sportiness, effectively absorbing typical Indian road imperfections.
Ownership Costs and Maintenance Comparison
The Hero Splendor Plus has a significant advantage in ownership costs due to its exceptional fuel efficiency and affordable maintenance. With real-world mileage of 65-70 kmpl, monthly fuel costs for a rider covering 1500 km would be approximately 2,300 to 2,500 rupees at current petrol prices. Service intervals are every 6000 km or 6 months, with typical service costs ranging from 800 to 1,500 rupees depending on the service type.
The Honda Shine, while more expensive to run, still offers reasonable ownership costs. With 55-60 kmpl real-world mileage, monthly fuel costs for 1500 km would be around 2,700 to 3,000 rupees. Service intervals are similar at 6000 km or 6 months, with service costs ranging from 1,000 to 1,800 rupees. Honda’s service quality is generally considered superior, though parts can be slightly more expensive than Hero.
Resale value is strong for both motorcycles, though the Splendor Plus has a slight edge due to its massive popularity and proven reliability. The Splendor Plus typically retains 50-55 percent of its value after three years, while the Shine retains 45-50 percent. Both motorcycles are easy to sell in the used market due to high demand for reliable commuters.
Which Motorcycle Should You Choose
The Hero Splendor Plus is the ideal choice for buyers prioritizing maximum fuel efficiency, lowest ownership costs, and proven reliability. It suits riders with primarily city commuting needs, those covering high daily kilometers, and buyers seeking the most economical transportation. The Splendor Plus is also perfect for first-time riders due to its light weight, easy handling, and forgiving nature.
The Honda Shine is better suited for buyers seeking more performance, refinement, and premium feel. It appeals to riders who occasionally ride on highways, carry pillion passengers regularly, and value build quality over maximum fuel economy. The Shine is also ideal for buyers who appreciate Honda’s brand reputation and superior after-sales service experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Splendor Plus vs Shine
Which bike gives better mileage, Splendor Plus or Shine?
The Hero Splendor Plus delivers superior fuel efficiency with real-world mileage of 65-70 kmpl compared to the Honda Shine’s 55-60 kmpl. The Splendor Plus XTEC with i3S technology can achieve up to 83 kmpl under ideal conditions. The 10-15 kmpl difference translates to significant fuel cost savings over time, making the Splendor Plus the clear winner for buyers prioritizing maximum fuel economy.
Which bike is better for highway riding?
The Honda Shine is better suited for highway riding due to its larger 124cc engine producing 10.74 horsepower compared to the Splendor Plus’s 97.2cc engine with 7.91 horsepower. The Shine offers stronger acceleration, higher top speed, and more confidence at sustained highway speeds. The 5-speed gearbox also provides better cruising capability compared to the Splendor Plus’s 4-speed transmission.
Which bike has better resale value?
The Hero Splendor Plus typically has slightly better resale value, retaining 50-55 percent of its original price after three years compared to the Honda Shine’s 45-50 percent. The Splendor Plus’s massive popularity, proven reliability, and lower running costs make it highly sought-after in the used motorcycle market. However, both motorcycles have strong resale value compared to many other commuter bikes.
What is the price difference between Splendor Plus and Shine?
The Hero Splendor Plus is priced between 75,441 and 83,461 rupees ex-showroom, while the Honda Shine costs between 80,250 and 87,251 rupees ex-showroom. The Shine is approximately 4,000 to 5,000 rupees more expensive across comparable variants. This price difference is justified by the Shine’s larger engine, better performance, and superior build quality, though the Splendor Plus offers better value for pure commuting needs.
Important Official Links and Resources
Hero MotoCorp Official Website | https://www.heromotocorp.com/
Honda Motorcycle India Official Website | https://www.honda2wheelersindia.com/
Hero Dealer Locator | https://www.heromotocorp.com/en-in/dealer-locator.html
Dhanush, an automobile expert with over 5 years of experience in the latest auto news and updates. Your go-to source for every development in the world of cars and bikes