26 Hero Honda Splendor Pro APDV Review

Review of the world's largest selling single model in its new avatar.. the Hero Honda Splendor Pro

The humble Hero Honda Splendor has been the world’s single largest selling model since the year 2000. Without any doubt Hero Honda calls it as one of "the world's greatest achievements" (on its current Splendor+ minisite).

It was therefore surprising that Hero Honda was not putting a self start even as option on its best selling model (even lower priced model like the CD Deluxe has been available with self start) for so long.

Finally Hero Honda decides to put an electric starter as an option on the Splendor and also gets a new name, the Splendor Pro. [News Source: Splendor Pro launched]


What else is new in the Hero Honda Splendor Pro?

New graphics (obviously), new clear lens turn indicators, matt black exhaust silencer instead of the earlier one in chrome, new design speedometer console, new adjustable rear shock absorbers, a pass light and a ignition system which Hero Honda calls APDV (Advanced Pro series Digital Variable ignition system).

I decide to pay homage to this two wheeled sales wonder from India by taking it out for a test ride.

11 Passion Pro APDV Review [Digital Display]

Test ride/review of the Hero Honda Passion Pro APDV motorcycle..

Yes sir, I finally manage to push/force myself to test ride the Hero Honda Passion Pro APDV.

I have never considered a 100 cc motorcycle to be desirable. After all how much can one get excited over 7.8 Ps of power?

Then why exactly have I ventured out to check the new Hero Honda Passion Pro APDV?

Having blogged on Indian 2 wheelers for 4 years now, it would not be fair if I do not check out the bikes which have made the industry tick.

This test ride is actually the first of upcoming test rides of a few of the 100 cc bikes which have made India the second largest selling 2 wheeler market in the world.

Like it or not, 100 cc's might be tiny in engine capacity and its ability to produce maximum power/torque but are very big in India in terms of making the monthly sales numbers rock.

5 Mahindra and Ten10Racing, to be the first ever teams from India in MotoGP..!!

MotoGP 2011 will have two teams from India..!!

If there was a manufacturer sponsored factory team from India which deserved to participate in MotoGP, it's TVS Racing

I have never bothered to follow MotoGP (the glamorous motorcycle racing championship) simply because so far I did not have a team to cheer for. Label me a jingoist but fact remains that unless India is participating, I just don’t get the motivation to follow that sport.

But that would soon change in the 2011 season of the MotoGP championship, because in 2011 there would be not one but two teams from India donning the Indian tricolor at the 125 cc class MotoGP championship..!!

The two teams would be "Mahindra" and "Ten 10 Racing".

33 Honda CBR250R Video Review [Autocar India] + Official specs

Autocar India gives the intial review of the CBR250R.. Honda finally reveals the power/torque figures.. Real shocker is the price tag..!! Booking starts from Jan 01..!!

[Update, Nov 15'th: Booking starts in India from Jan 01, 2011.

One can fill up the online inquiry form for the CBR250R on Honda India's website.

The Yamaha R15 and the Hero Honda Karizma ZMR will find it hard to justify their 1 lakh plus price tags..

Autocar India magazine happends to be my current favourite Indian Auto Publication due to their honest and "to the point" (without the hyperbole and the eloquent crap) style of auto journalism.

I even like their TV show the Autocar Show, which is aired on the UTVi channel. But reading a magazine a watching a TV show is a different matter altogether. Credit goes to "Kartikeya Singhee", the host and (Dy. Editor Autocar) of the Autocar Show, whose lively / cheerful presentation and screen presence makes the show a must watch for me.

Screenshot of the Autocar Show CBR250R Review

Autocar Show has recently posted a video review of the CBR250R on its YouTube channel. In the video, Kartikeya Singhee covers the global launch of the CBR250R straight from Thailand.

Highlights from the Review:

• Great low and mid range torque


• Decent handling on the race track (though not in the same league as the Ninja 250R)


• Company claimed Fuel Efficieny of 50 Kmpl..!!


• Less than Rs 1.5 Lakh price tag (From the mouth of HMSI boss)..!!

3 New Pulsar Commercial (Pulsar Mania II?) to feature Jorian “Untouchable” Ponomareff..!!

A new Pulsar commercial is being shot which will feature one of the hottest young international talent in the world of Freestyle Motorcycle Stunting..!!

New Pulsar Commercial: Pulsar Mania II?

Right from it’s birth in 2001, TV Commercials of the Pulsar has always set the benchmark for motorcycle commercials in India. The iconic 2008 Pulsar Mania commercial (posted below) has so far been my personal favorite among the lot. To me the Pulsar Mania TVC with its "synchronized ballet on motorcycles" is till date the Best Motorcycle Commercial in the world.

Participate in a contest and get to visit the sets where the new Pulsar commercial will be shot..!!

Improving perfection is a very tall task, and I have had my doubts whether the Pulsar Mania commercial could ever be superseded by anyone, including Bajaj themselves. But it looks like now there is a new Pulsar commercial (Pulsar Mania II?) in the making which is poised to do just that.

And this time Bajaj has roped in Jorian Ponomareff, one of the hottest new international talents in the world of freestyle motorcycle stunts to feature in the next Pulsar commercial..!!

Who is Jorian Ponomareff?