Fuel economy is one of the foremost considerations in the commuter motorcycle segment. Each drop counts for the rider who depends on his motorcycle for everyday errands, work, or city commuting. This made the Hero Splendor Plus motorcycle a hit in markets like Bangladesh and India. For its Special Edition (SE), Hero MotoCorp has introduced one feature that often goes unnoticed but plays a critical role in making the two-wheeler stand apart from the vehicles: the APDV engine or Advance Pro Digital Variable Ignition System.
Hero has designed the Splendor Plus SE to provide reliable efficiency with clever ignition management, rather than merely adding mileage promises. Let’s unpack what makes this technology unique, how it translates into daily riding, and why it gives the Splendor Plus an edge over competing models in the commuter class.
APDV Explained
Fundamentally, an ignition system regulates when the cylinder’s fuel-air mixture ignites. This ignition point is fixed in traditional commuter motorcycles. That such a timing works
well in the normal range of speeds does not imply that it can cope with other circumstances, like stop-start traffic or long highway drives or sudden acceleration.
Hero’s APDV engine changes that equation. Instead of sticking to a single ignition timing, it digitally adjusts the spark based on riding conditions. In simple terms, the Splendor Plus SE is “thinking” in real time about how best to use fuel. That means
better combustion, fewer unburnt residues, and ultimately, more kilometres out of every litre.
For a 97.2 cc motorcycle with modest power output, 6.15 kW (8.36 Ps) at 8000 RPM and torque of 0.82 Kgfm (8.05 Nm) at 5000 RPM, this adaptive ignition system ensures that efficiency is maximised without sacrificing rideability.
The Everyday Advantage: Stop-and-Go Meets Smart Technology
One of the biggest pain points for city commuters is the constant stop-and-go rhythm. Riders lose precious mileage when the engine idles at red lights or crawls in congested lanes. This is where Hero’s technology pairing stands out.
The Splendor Plus bike included i3S (Idle Stop-Start System) along with APDV. This system automatically shuts off the engine while stopped at a signal and restarts it by pressing the clutch. For the rider, this doesn’t just mean fuel savings but also reduced wear on the engine over time.
Most competitor bikes in this range do not combine adaptive ignition with idle-stop technology. They either stick to traditional ignition or focus only on carburetor/Fi tweaks for efficiency. The Splendor Plus SE manages to bring both systems together, making it a smarter solution for urban riders.
Numbers That Add Up in Real Life
One-half of the story, mainly in efficiency, specifies that the Splendor Plus SE is meant for durability, being air-cooled, 4-stroke single-cylinder OHC. This is coupled with the DC-Digital CDI ignition, which will harmonize with the APDV system to provide steady performance across different rev bands.
Suspension, as with all elements, also plays a role in keeping uniformity. The front telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers and the 5-step adjustable rear shock absorber help distribute weight evenly, ensuring that fuel efficiency doesn’t dip dramatically with a pillion rider or when carrying light loads.
When put side by side with other 100 cc commuter bikes, many deliver similar torque figures but fall short on optimised ignition. That’s where Splendor Plus retains its edge.
Where Splendor Plus Leads
Let’s put the Splendor Plus SE against a typical rival in the same commuter bracket. Many competing models in the 97–110 cc range advertise mileage figures close to Hero’s. However, the absence of a variable ignition system means their efficiency drops significantly in congested traffic or under load.
Some are completely based on just the carbureted engines with no adaptive ignition. They burn a lot of fuel in urban stop-and-go traffic, while they perform decently on highways. Riders then notice the mileage bouncing back and forth, which is not good for someone who wants to ride daily to cut costs.
By contrast, the Rate Splendor Plus two wheeler maintains steadier efficiency because the APDV actively adjusts spark timing, complemented by the i3S system. The result is that mileage remains consistent across city and highway rides. This dual benefit is rare in the commuter segment, and it explains why Splendor Plus has retained loyalty among cost-conscious riders for decades.
The Rider’s Perspective: Value Beyond Mileage
In terms of saving fuel, the APDV engine adds worth way beyond. Optimised combustion ensures that it collects less carbon in the cylinder, keeping the engine healthier for more time, which translates into lower maintenance costs, fewer visits to workshops, and much better reliability in daily driving.
Pair that with the stable suspension set-up of the Splendor Plus, lightweight and easy handling and proven durability, and you’re seeing a bike that doesn’t just win at the pump, but on the streets. While a number of motorcycles in this segment try to balance either mileage or performance, the Splendor Plus SE proves one doesn’t always have to compromise.
Efficiency Engineered, Not Claimed
In today’s commuter motorcycle landscape, efficiency is often marketed as a number on a brochure. But the Splendor Plus SE, with its APDV engine and i3S technology, shows that efficiency is something that can be engineered intelligently. It’s not only about how much mileage the bike delivers but also about how consistently it delivers it in real-world conditions.
For riders evaluating their next purchase, the Splendor Plus SE makes a strong case. It is dependable, economical, and equipped with technology that puts it ahead of rivals in the same segment. By unlocking the secrets of its APDV engine, one realises that this
motorcycle isn’t simply running on petrol, it’s running on smart engineering that translates directly into savings and satisfaction.