New Delhi
Hero Super Splendor vs Bajaj Discover 125: The king of the 125cc segment dethroned?
Reviews by Team Drivio | 15 Mar 2023
The Hero Super Splendor had impressed us with its extremely frugal engine and flickability in the city. But with the arrival of the Bajaj Discover 125, we find out if the king has been ousted.
- The Hero Super Splendor’s 125cc engine makes 10.87PS and 10.6Nm, while being mated to a five-speed gearbox.
- It has a commuter-ish overall design with touches of sportiness all over.
- The Bajaj Discover 125, meanwhile, made 11PS and 11Nm from its 124.5cc mill.
The 125cc segment is one that’s hotly fought for. It, currently, has two Indian major brands, Hero and Bajaj fighting for the top spot with their entrants for the fight being the Super Splendor and the Discover 125. So will the Bajaj Discover 125 be knocked out or does it have a few tricks up its sleeve to battle the Super Splendor? Let’s find out:
Hero Super Splendor vs Bajaj Discover 125: Design & Features
| Features | Hero Super Splendor | Bajaj Discover 125 |
| LED headlamp | No | No |
| Fully-digital console | Optional | No |
| LED indicators | No | No |
| Riding modes | No | No |
| Alloy wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Split seats | No | No |
| Bluetooth connectivity | Optional | No |
Both bikes are clearly spartans and none of them boasts of modern day features as standard. The Bajaj Discover 125, in this case, looks even more dated, having no real features to really brag about. Where the Super Splendor pulls ahead of the Discover is with its Xtec variant.
It has numerous useful features like a fully digital instrument panel, Bluetooth connectivity with call and SMS alerts, and displays real-time mileage, low fuel, service reminder, and malfunction alerts. A USB charging port, Hero's i3S Start-Stop Tech, a side stand engine kill function, and a bank angle sensor that turns off the motorcycle if it falls to its side are also included.
Hero Super Splendor vs Bajaj Discover 125: Engine
| Specifications | Hero Super Splendor | Bajaj Discover 125 |
| Engine | 125cc | 124.5cc |
| Maximum power | 10.87PS | 11PS |
| Maximum Torque | 10.6Nm | 11Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed | 5-speed |
The Discover 125M is powered by a spirited 124.5cc, 4-valve engine borrowed from the 125ST and 125T. The engine produces 11PS, which is about 0.13PS more than the Hero, but the performance isn't particularly impressive. When you get close to the redline, the engine becomes noisy and begs you to shift up. The Bajaj has an advantage due to its strong pull throughout the rev range in all four gears. This makes riding the rev-happy 125M more enjoyable.
The Super Splendor is quite the similar case, with an engine that doesn’t have performance that you could brag about. But this segment isn’t about performance and more about mileage. The Super Splendor returned a fuel efficiency of about 60kmpl, while the Discover took the lead by returning a claimed 82.4kmpl!
Hero Super Splendor vs Bajaj Discover 125: Suspension, Tyres & Brakes
| Specifications | Hero Super Splendor | Bajaj Discover 125 |
| Front suspension | Telescopic fork | Telescopic fork |
| Rear suspension | Dual shocks | Twin shocks |
| Front tyre | 18-inch | 17-inch |
| Rear tyres | 18-inch | 17-inch |
| Front brake | Disc/drum | Disc |
| Rear brake | Drum | Drum |
| ABS | No | No |
As has been the case previously no bike has particularly modern-day bits. The Discover 125, with its 17-inch wheels is a bit sportier than the Super Splendor’s commuter-ish 18-inchers. Where the Discover 125 also pulls ahead, is by getting a front disc brake as standard, while the same is optional on the Super Splendor.
Hero Super Splendor vs Bajaj Discover 125: Dimensions
| Dimensions | Hero Super Splendor | Bajaj Discover 125 |
| Length | 2051mm | 2035mm |
| Height | 1074mm | 1085mm |
| Width | 720/743mm | 760mm |
| Wheelbase | 1267mm | 1305mm |
| Ground clearance | 180mm | 165mm |
| Kerb weight | 122kg | 117kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | 12-litres | 8-litres |
| Seat height | 785 to 799mm | 805mm |
None of the bikes are particularly long and they feel so too. They’re both decently flickable and easy to lag around in the city. The Discover, in this aspect, feels a slight bit more agile despite its significantly longer wheelbase
Hero Super Splendor vs Bajaj Discover 125: Variants & Price
| Bike Model | Price (Ex-showroom Delhi) |
| Bajaj Discover 125 | Rs 51,793 - 62,253 |
| Hero Super Splendor | Rs 79,118 - 87,268 |
As we have seen, the bikes are actually pretty close in terms of what they pack and hence, their prices is what the battle comes down to. And here, you can’t help but feel that the Super Splendor carries a price tag that it does kinda struggle to justify, especially when compared to its competitors. And given that immaculate pricing is the key when it comes to commuter bikes, its sticker price will undoubtedly hurt the Super Splendor, despite of the endless list of features that the Xtec trim packs.
Conclusion
With the price being the last in the Super Splendor’s coffin, the Bajaj Discover 125 comes out as a clear winner in this comparison. If a frugal commuter with a rather inviting price tag is what you’re looking for, the Discover 125 makes a compelling statement for itself. The tinge of sportiness is just an icing on the cake for the Bajaj Discover 125.
But, if features is something you’re primarily looking for, the Super Splendor Xtec does boast of an awful lot of them, for the price that it carries.
