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The Hero Glamour might be a hot seller but it isn't as impressive as its popularity suggests. The bike doesn't have as much performance as you would expect from a 125cc motorcycle, says Faisal Ali Khan.
Hero MotoCorp is India's biggest 2-wheeler manufacturer and it also has a slew of products in its portfolio. The Glamour which was launched in 2005 is a popular offering from the company; it does good numbers and was recently refreshed too. The 2014 Hero Glamour isn't vastly different from the older model but is fresher now thanks to minor changes.
How does this motorcycle fare? Let's find out.
The Glamour looks largely the same as before. It has a nice design which works well with the red and black scheme, something which has become ubiquitous on this Hero.
The body now gets the graphics treatment with a new chequered scheme. The compact headlight gels well with the body panels and the body coloured mirrors, alloy wheels and black finished exhaust look good too.
Quality is good and there is nothing to complain when it comes to the fit and finish of this machine.
The instrument cluster takes heavy inspiration from the Passion and is an analogue digital unit. A large speedometer sits in the centre with a LCD display on the right side that carries trip and odometers along with a fuel meter in between them.
Switchgear is the same as other Hero and Honda bikes; there is no engine kill switch.
The Hero Glamour is available in two flavours, one with a carburettor while the other with a fuel injected system, the latter being costlier and not in demand. Both models use the same 125cc, single-cylinder, 2-valve engine.
This motor outputs 9 HP of peak power at 7000 RPM and 10.35 Nm of peak torque at 4000 RPM.
The engine is mounted in a sleeping layout which curbs vibrations and the powerplant is very refined and runs extremely smooth. The gearing is on the taller side and the bike lacks low-end pick up.
What really blunts the performance of the Glamour is the high weight of 129 kgs. The mid-range is where it shines the most but the Hero Glamour lacks top-end punch.
Top speed is 90 km/hr which is less as 100cc bikes are able to do the same top speed.
The 4-speed gearbox offers smooth shifts.
While the Glamour isn't very slick in performance, it does deliver on the mileage front, returning in excess of 60 km/l.
The Hero Glamour uses a double-cradle frame and the suspension is the traditional telescopic front forks and dual rear shocks. The suspension is on the softer side and handling isn't the Glamour's forte.
It does offer a good ride quality which makes it easy to pilot on bad roads. The bike is stable thanks to its weight but doesn't inspire confidence to ride fast.
With drum brakes at the front and rear, the Glamour offers decent stopping power.
There is also the option of a front disc brake.
The Hero Glamour might be a hot seller but it isn't as impressive as its popularity suggests. The bike doesn't have as much performance as you would expect from a 125cc motorcycle.
Priced at Rs 65,740 in Mumbai (on-road), the Hero Glamour appeals when you consider it's a proven product which will get you from point A to B in comfort while also delivering good mileage.
The author is founder of MotorBeam.com