At a Glance
Key differences that define each motorcycle
Hero Splendor Plus
- 97.2 cc Air-Cooled, 2-valve
- 8.02 PS @ 8000 rpm
- 70 km/l (ARAI)
- 9.8-litre tank
- 4 variants available
- CBS, Kick & Electric start
Honda Shine 100
- 98.98 cc Air-Cooled, 2-valve
- 7.28 PS @ 7500 rpm
- ~65 km/l (Owner Reported)
- 10-litre tank
- 1 variant available
- CBS, lightest at 103 kg
Full Specification Comparison
Every number that matters — side by side
| Specification | Hero Splendor Plus | Honda Shine 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine & Performance | ||
| Displacement | 97.2 cc | 98.98 cc |
| Cooling System | Air-Cooled | Air-Cooled |
| Max Power | 8.02 PS @ 8000 rpm | 7.28 PS @ 7500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 8.05 Nm @ 6000 rpm | 8.04 Nm @ 5000 rpm |
| Valves per Cylinder | 2 | 2 |
| Bore × Stroke | 50.0 × 49.5 mm | 47.0 × 57.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.9 : 1 | 9.7 : 1 |
| Emission Standard | BS6 Phase 2 (OBD2) | BS6 Phase 2 (OBD2) |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Manual | 4-Speed Manual |
| Top Speed | 87 km/h | 85 km/h |
| Riding Modes | No | No |
| Traction Control | No | No |
| Start Type | Kick & Electric | Electric Only |
| Idle Stop-Start | Yes (i3S variant) | No |
| Fuel & Range | ||
| Mileage (ARAI) | 70 km/l (ARAI) | Not Claimed |
| Mileage (Real-world) | 58–65 km/l | ~65 km/l (owner reported) |
| Fuel Tank | 9.8 litres | 10 litres |
| Reserve Capacity | ~1.0–1.4 litres | 1.4 litres |
| Riding Range | ~580–650 km | ~600–650 km (est.) |
| Brakes & Wheels | ||
| Braking System | CBS | CBS |
| Front Brake | Drum – 130 mm | Drum – 130 mm |
| Rear Brake | Drum – 130 mm | Drum – 130 mm |
| Disc Brake Option | No | No |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Tyre Size (F / R) | 80/100-18 (both) | 80/100-17 / 100/80-17 |
| Wheel Size | 18-inch (both) | 17-inch (both) |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
| Suspension & Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Hydraulic | Telescopic Fork |
| Rear Suspension | 5-step Adjustable Hydraulic | Twin Hydraulic Shock Absorbers |
| Chassis | Tubular Double Cradle | Diamond Type Frame |
| Rear Preload Adjuster | Yes | No |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Kerb Weight | 112 kg | 103 kg |
| Seat Height | 785 mm | 786 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 165 mm | 168 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1236 mm | 1245 mm |
| Overall L × W × H | 2000 × 720 × 1052 mm | 1955 × 754 × 1050 mm |
| Features & Electronics | ||
| Instrument Console | Analogue | Analogue |
| Headlight | Halogen | Halogen |
| DRLs | No | No |
| Turn Signals | Bulb | Bulb |
| Hazard Warning Lights | No | No |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | No | No |
| USB Charging Port | Yes (select variants) | No |
| Low Fuel Indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Gear Indicator | No | No |
| Tachometer | No | No |
| Side Stand Engine Cut-off | Yes | Yes |
| Pass Light | Yes | Yes |
| Pillion Seat | Yes | Yes |
| Grab Rail | Yes | Yes |
| Keyless Ignition | No | No |
| Price & Warranty | ||
| Starting Price (ex-showroom) | ₹74,958 | ₹65,557 |
| Top Variant Price | ₹77,406 | ₹65,557 (single variant) |
| Number of Variants | 4 | 1 |
| Standard Warranty | 5 Years / 70,000 km | 3 Years / 42,000 km |
★ Green highlights indicate the stronger value in each row. Prices are ex-showroom India averages and may vary by city.
Variant-wise Price Comparison
All variants laid out — find the right one for your budget
Splendor Plus Variants
Shine 100 Variants
Pros & Cons
Honest strengths and weaknesses of each bike
Pros
- Legendary reliability with decades-long track record
- ARAI-certified 70 km/l mileage — officially verified
- Kick-start backup for emergencies and remote areas
- India's largest service and spare parts network
- Outstanding 5-year / 70,000 km warranty
- Superior resale value — among the best in the segment
- 4 variants including i3S stop-start and USB charging
- 5-step adjustable rear suspension for load flexibility
- Slightly more power (8.02 PS vs 7.28 PS)
- 18-inch wheels for better stability on rough roads
Cons
- Higher starting price (₹74,958 vs ₹65,557) — ₹9,401 more expensive
- Heavier at 112 kg vs 103 kg
- Fully analogue instrument console — no digital features
- No disc brake option on any variant
- Less ground clearance (165 mm vs 168 mm)
Pros
- Significantly lower starting price at ₹65,557 — ₹9,401 cheaper
- Lightest at 103 kg — easiest to handle in the segment
- Trusted Honda engine refinement and reliability
- Good ground clearance (168 mm)
- Larger 10-litre fuel tank
- Owner-reported ~65 km/l real-world mileage
- Smooth power delivery tuned for city riding
- Strong Honda service network across India
Cons
- No ARAI-certified mileage figure — harder to verify officially
- Significantly weaker warranty: only 3 years / 42,000 km
- Electric start only — no kick-start backup
- Lower power output (7.28 PS vs 8.02 PS)
- Single variant — no choice for buyers
- Non-adjustable rear suspension
- Smaller 17-inch wheels compared to Splendor Plus's 18-inch
- Weaker resale value compared to Splendor Plus
Key Differences Explained
What really sets these two bikes apart
Engine & Performance
The Splendor Plus uses a 97.2cc engine making 8.02 PS and 8.05 Nm of torque, while the Shine 100 has a marginally larger 98.98cc unit producing 7.28 PS and 8.04 Nm. Despite the slightly bigger displacement, the Shine 100's engine is tuned for lower power output with a focus on smooth refinement. The Splendor Plus delivers more usable power at higher rpm, while the Shine 100's torque peak arrives earlier at 5000 rpm for effortless low-speed city pull. Both use 4-speed gearboxes with chain drive.
Fuel Efficiency & Range
The Splendor Plus has a clear advantage in official credibility — its 70 km/l figure is ARAI-certified, while the Shine 100 does not claim an ARAI figure, relying instead on owner-reported estimates of around 65 km/l. Real-world Splendor Plus figures of 58–65 km/l are broadly competitive with the Shine 100's actual returns. The Shine 100's 10-litre tank is marginally larger than the Splendor Plus's 9.8 litres, making overall riding range roughly comparable between the two.
Braking & Safety
Both bikes are evenly matched on braking hardware — each uses a 130mm front drum brake and a 130mm rear drum brake with CBS. Neither offers a disc brake option. The Splendor Plus runs on larger 18-inch wheels while the Shine 100 uses 17-inch wheels. Bigger wheels generally offer more stability and better tyre choice, but the Shine 100's lighter 103kg weight means it stops more easily from low speeds.
Reliability & Ownership
This is the Splendor Plus's most decisive advantage. Its decades-long dominance in India's commuter market, unmatched spare parts availability, and widespread Hero service network — including in rural and semi-urban areas — make it the benchmark for long-term ownership. The Splendor Plus also offers kick-start backup, critical if the battery fails in remote locations. The Honda Shine 100 benefits from Honda's trusted engineering but its service network and parts availability are narrower than Hero's in smaller towns.
Suspension & Ride Quality
The Splendor Plus offers a 5-step adjustable rear suspension — a practical advantage for riders who carry a pillion or heavy loads regularly. The Shine 100 uses non-adjustable twin hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear. Both bikes feature telescopic front forks. The Splendor Plus's softer suspension tuning is particularly well-suited for rough city and village roads, while the Shine 100 handles city roads comfortably thanks to its lighter 103kg weight reducing unsprung mass.
Price & Warranty
The Honda Shine 100 wins decisively on upfront cost at ₹65,557 — a full ₹9,401 less than the Splendor Plus's base price of ₹74,958. However, the Splendor Plus fights back hard on warranty: 5 years / 70,000 km versus the Shine 100's 3 years / 42,000 km — a dramatic difference of 2 extra years and 28,000 additional km of coverage. For daily commuters riding 15,000+ km per year, this warranty gap is a significant long-term financial consideration.
Expert Verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
Buy the Splendor Plus if…
- Long-term reliability and proven ownership history matter
- You need kick-start backup for rural or remote use
- The 5-year / 70,000 km warranty is a priority for you
- Resale value is important — Splendor Plus commands premium resale
- You want Hero's nationwide service network in every town
- An officially ARAI-certified mileage figure gives you confidence
- 5-step adjustable suspension suits regular pillion riding
- USB charging port (select variants) is a useful feature
Buy the Shine 100 if…
- Budget is your top priority — saves ₹9,401 upfront
- You want the lightest bike in the segment at just 103 kg
- Honda reliability and refinement appeal to you
- City riding is your primary use with reliable battery support
- You ride fewer than 14,000 km per year (within 3-year warranty)
- A simple, single-variant choice suits your decision making
Overall Winner for Most Riders: Hero Splendor Plus. While the Honda Shine 100 saves a meaningful ₹9,401 upfront, the Hero Splendor Plus delivers better long-term value through its ARAI-certified 70 km/l mileage, stronger 8.02 PS engine, kick-start backup, 5-step adjustable suspension, the best service network in India, significantly superior 5-year / 70,000 km warranty (versus just 3 years / 42,000 km for the Shine 100), and unmatched resale value. Choose the Honda Shine 100 only if minimising upfront cost is your single highest priority and you are confident of staying within its shorter warranty window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered by our experts
For most buyers, the Hero Splendor Plus is the better long-term choice due to its ARAI-certified 70 km/l mileage, more powerful engine (8.02 PS), kick-start backup, adjustable rear suspension, superior 5-year / 70,000 km warranty, India's largest service network, and exceptional resale value. The Honda Shine 100 is better if upfront cost is paramount — it starts ₹9,401 cheaper at ₹65,557 and is the lightest bike in the segment at 103 kg.
The Honda Shine 100 starts at ₹65,557 while the Hero Splendor Plus starts at ₹74,958 ex-showroom — a difference of ₹9,401 in favour of the Shine 100. The Shine 100 is available in a single variant only, while the Splendor Plus ranges across four variants up to ₹77,406 for its Million Edition. Both prices are for India ex-showroom and may vary by city.
The Hero Splendor Plus has better officially verified mileage at 70 km/l (ARAI certified). The Honda Shine 100 does not have an ARAI-claimed mileage figure — owner-reported figures suggest around 65 km/l in real-world use. Real-world Splendor Plus figures of 58–65 km/l are competitive, but the Splendor Plus's ARAI certification gives it a significant credibility advantage. Both bikes have broadly similar riding ranges given their comparable fuel tank sizes.
The Hero Splendor Plus makes more power at 8.02 PS @ 8000 rpm compared to the Honda Shine 100's 7.28 PS @ 7500 rpm — a difference of about 10%. Torque figures are nearly identical at 8.05 Nm vs 8.04 Nm, though the Shine 100 reaches its torque peak earlier at 5000 rpm for smoother low-speed pull. In real-world commuting, the difference is subtle, but the Splendor Plus has a slightly more capable engine for covering ground on mild highways.
No, the Honda Shine 100 is available only with drum brakes (130mm front and 130mm rear) with CBS. The Hero Splendor Plus is also available with drum brakes only across all four variants, also with CBS. Neither bike offers a disc brake option. Buyers wanting a front disc brake in this price range should consider the TVS Star City Plus disc variant at ₹75,548.
The Hero Splendor Plus offers a significantly better warranty at 5 years / 70,000 km compared to the Honda Shine 100's 3 years / 42,000 km. This is a dramatic difference of 2 additional years and 28,000 extra km of warranty coverage. For daily commuters riding 15,000–20,000 km per year, the Splendor Plus reaches its warranty limit in around 3.5–4.5 years, while the Shine 100 would exceed its warranty limit in just 2–3 years of heavy use — potentially exposing the owner to out-of-warranty repair costs much sooner.