Hero Glamour
The Glamour might not inflame passions but is the one that appeals to the mind over the heart
WWhat is it? Say hello to an all-new motorcycle from Hero MotoCorp even though it looks familiar and has a much vaunted name standing in the commuter section of the Indian motorcycle market. The Glamour appeals to the mind over the heart, given that the fortune is all to be found at the pyramid’s base.
All new? The new headlamp (with the Automatic Headlamp On feature) is matched with a new LED tail lamp and the instrument panel houses a large analogue speedo along with the i3S indicator, a digital fuel gauge, trip and odometer and a few tell tales.
One of the key aspects of the new Glamour has to be the lighter new single downtube frame, which has been designed keeping the new all-Hero engine in mind and together with the mount points, the revised wheelbase, and also the way the suspension geometry plus the componentry have been configured, makes for a fine base.
What else? Sadly Hero MotoCorp didn’t share any specifications but the single cylinder motor is from its new family of engines. This motor has the TOD (Torque On Demand) aspect in great measure with a power delivery that is sublime for this class of bike. Like the Splendor 110 iSmart, the Glamour 125 also packs in Hero’s i3S start-stop tech but unlike the smaller-engined Splendor, this oneeighth litre econo-commuter would be offered with either a carburettor or fuel injection.
Fun to ride? This is one of the most simple yet brilliantly configured econo-commuter machines I have ever ridden in the modern BS IV era. The Glamour is spirited in the way it can tackle corners, making it something for us corner carvers to see a Hero in this light. Along with the taut chassis and its fine manners one has to factor in the tubeless tyres and the grip they afford as these only enhance the chassis’ strong points. The brakes are good for this class of motorcycle, progressive and ample without being grabby.
Powerful? Thanks to the TOD, which is essentially brought about by a very precise and wide torque spread through the rev range and spot-on gearing, the bike never seems to run out of breath even when carrying a pillion. What is impressive is not just the sheer smoothness with which the engine pulls or purrs but the fact that this unit’s lugging ability is just as impressive.
Verdict: This is a confident offering from Hero MotoCorp and probably the best answer to its disbelievers for it clearly shows the strides the firm has made in designing and developing its first all non-Honda motorcycle and that is a big thing. After having put the bike through its paces on a tight 2.5-kilometre circuit outside of Buenos Aires in Argentina (where the bike was launched), I can stick my neck out and state that this is the new standard bearer in the 125cc class. Given that the Glamour is already the best-selling bike in the 125cc class, the new offering should ring alarm bells in the ranks of the combined competition.