2014 ET ZigWheels Awards Entry-Level Bike of the year: Hero Splendor iSmart

The entry level segment of motorcycles isn’t as glamorous in terms of their visual appeal or the performance of bikes from higher displacement segments. Having said that, one cannot discount the fact that they consist of the lion’s share with respect to sales and two-wheeler manufacturers brought in a slew of new range of products to boost their sales figure. This year’s nominees in the entry-level segment were narrowed down to TVS Star City+, Hero Splendor Pro Classic, Hero Splendor iSmart and the Bajaj Discover 125. The Hero Splendor iSmart was among the highlights of 2014 as the tried and trusted Splendor was equipped with a start-and-stop technology to further hike its impressive fuel efficiency.

Apart from the new mileage increasing technology, the snazzy graphics and additional features did increase the Splendor iSmart’s appeal to further strengthen Hero MotoCorp’s hold in the entry level segment. So it wasn’t really surprising that the Hero Spendor iSmart was the winner in the entry-level segment of the 2014 ZigWheels Awards. Fuel efficiency is the most important criteria in this segment and the fact that start-and-stop technology helps in boosting the mileage numbers is an added benefit. Also, the start-and-stop technology is simple in its operation and the fact that Hero was able to provide this tech without costing a bomb should be appreciated. The Hero Splendor iSmart is gleaming example that technology isn’t limited to performance bikes or expensive motorcycles.