Hero Glamour Review
Refreshed & Improved
Wednesday, December 12, 2012Overview of Hero Glamour
Hero Glamour is the most successful 125cc bike of Hero. This bike is also available with Fuel Injection technology. After the separation from Honda, Hero has recently launched the upgraded version of this bike. Let’s know more about these changes.
Fast Facts about Hero Glamour
- New front visor and clear headlamps
- Analogue plus digital instrument cluster
- Sporty new body graphics
- Kick lever and silencer guard gets glossy finish
- New dynamic red frame and shock absorbers
- 125cc engine gets ASFS
- New attractive shades
- Real-time mileage indicator (first of its kind in India)
Hero Glamour Exterior
The most noticeable changes are made to the front styling of this bike. It now features a new tinted visor and sleek cowl which goes really well with its new crystal clear headlight and clear lens indicators. To complement, the new model features body coloured rear view mirrors. Its alloy wheels, engine, front leg guard and silencer are painted with black colour. Rear styling is also slightly tweaked with new indicators and fender. Glamour gets new graphics and tank shrouds with FI written on it which adds sporty character to this bike. The long and stepped up seat on this bike also looks fine. Despite these changes, we still don’t think it looks as sporty as its other rivals including recently launched Bajaj Discover125. However, it looks better than before but more or less; it’s like the other commuter bikes. This bike is not as glamorous as its name but certainly has acceptable looks.
Instrument Console of Hero Glamour
Hero Glamour has a very trendy analogue-digital combo meter console. It features an analogue speedometer with digital trip meter and fuel gauge. Real time mileage indicator is a new feature added to this bike to check its fuel efficiency. There are also other indicators on this console and the LCD uses orange back light for display.
Engine and Gearbox
The new model uses the same 124.7cc engine which is available with carburettor and Fuel injection technology. It’s an air-cooled, 4-stroke, OHC engine which is capable of yielding a power output of 9.1 bhp at 7000 rpm. Its torque output of 10.35 Nm is achievable at 4000rpm. This engine is mated with a four speed manual gearbox with all gears up-shift pattern.
Acceleration and Performance
The biggest problem with this bike continues with its less powerful engine. This engine only pumps out 9.1 bhp which is very less in comparison to its other rivals. The bike is surely not an enthusiast and it gets clear as soon as you get on to this bike. The power to weight ratios is not impressive and that’s quite visible in city traffic. Throttle response is slow and lazy as this bike takes over 7.5 seconds to reach 0-60km/ltr. The power band is also very short and there is not pretty much left in this bike after 5000 rpm. Once you take this bike on highways, you can sense the need of a fifth gear. The taller gear ratios delay the power output. In city traffic also you will have to adapt yourself to this bike for optimum utilization. Sadly, the technical specifications are same in the FI variant and you can hardly notice the benefit of this technology. There is slight different in the throttle response which can easily be neglected. When rev hard, the bike feels thirsty for power and it’s a major setback for this bike. However, you will be glad with its refinement and stability. There are no signs of vibration and the gear transitions are also smooth. If you push Glamour really hard then it can reach the top speed of 100km/hr.
Hero Glamour Mileage
Hero Glamour’s fuel efficiency is the best thing about this bike. In city, you can expect this bike to return a fuel efficiency of around 60-65km/ltr while on long runs it may return you a mileage of around 70km/ltr. Its fuel efficiency increases by 5-6km/ltr with the help of FI technology.
Comfort While Driving Hero Glamour
Hero Glamour is a commuter bike which is designed to give you optimum comfort. It has very well padded seat which is very comfortable. Foot pegs are also set in a way to give you a relaxed posture with perfect grip of handlebar. The buttons on its handlebar are also easy to use.
Storage Space and Safety Features
There is storage space under its seat and it also has a bag hook near the rear fender. It has front leg guard for safety.
Suspension and Braking
According to the weight of this bike, it has an adequate suspension system which is capable enough to give you comfortable rides. It features telescopic front forks while it has hydraulic shock absorbers at the back. Apart from the optional front disc brake of 240mm, its standard variant features drum brakes of 130mm on its both wheels.
Hero Glamour Ride and Handling
Hero Glamour has a very light handling and that’s quite efficient in city traffic. One can easily use this bike and the bike feels very stable also. Suspension system is not best in class but it’s quite capable to impress you on our Indian roads. However its low ground clearance of 150mm can bother you as big potholes and speed breakers don’t let it go easily. Its tyres stick firmly to the road and give you extra confidence on highways. The bike has no sporty characteristics and it’s quite clear around corners. Its wheelbase (1265mm) provides less stability in comparison to others and it feels really scary around corners and at high speeds.
Tyre Size
This bike sports 5-spoke 18 inch alloy wheels.
Variants of New Hero Honda Glamour
- Glamour
- Glamour Disc
- Glamour Fi
- Glamour Fi Disc
Hero Glamour is available in four variants: Glamour, Glamour Disc, Glamour Fi and Glamour Fi Disc.
Shades Available in New Hero Honda Glamour
Hero Honda has launched new Glamour in five attractive dual-tone shades:
- Black with vibrant orange
- Black with tornado grey metallic
- Black with frost blue metallic
- Black with sports red
- Candy blazing red
Verdict
Hero Glamour ranges from INR 52K-61.3K (ex-showroom, Delhi (approx., may vary)). It’s a well-built bike with a very refined and silent engine. Yes, it’s not powerful but you get an incredible fuel efficiency which makes it extremely economical. The ride and handling is also very comfortable. Similar to other FI bikes, its FI variant is not successful in India. You will have to pay around 10K more for its FI variant which makes no sense as it has similar specifications and it will be hard for you to spend extra money for slightly better fuel economy. If you can compromise on power then you can always opt for its regular variant which is perfect for daily usage and comes with the trust of India’s largest selling two wheeler manufacturer.