May 3, 2010

Hero Honda Splendor

...tear drop tank. That's what the fuel tank was described as on the brochure. I got it some time October 1994 and I was really proud to ride it around. Splendor was relatively new on the streets and the color- metal grey -was a real attraction. I still remember someone asking me if the bike was imported. The engine was extremely smooth. The exhaust note was deep and confident. The acceleration was smooth and effortless. The dashboard was simple and neat. Fuel consumption was unbelievable 70+ kilometers per liter.

Splendor, Gulveer and Shivagange

My first out-station trip was to Shivagange. Soon more out-station trips followed;
  • Savandurga
  • Shravanbelogola
  • Devarayanadurga
  • Nandi Hills
  • Mekedatu
  • Bangalore - Hospet - Hampi - Pattadkal - Aihole - Bijapur - Solapur - Bidar - Bijapur - Jamkhandi - Dharwad - Goa - Udupi - Mangalore - Ballupet - Bangalore
...and some more I cannot recall. All these trips were with Gulveer.


During the 13 day tour of Karnataka, we rode about 2700km mostly between 50 and 60kmph. Occasionally we would hit 80 kmph for a change. During the entire trip we filled fuel 3 or 4 times. Hero Honda truly lived up to it's words; Fill it. Shut it. Forget it.

@ 24000km in 1998 I sold my Splendor. I still regret it.

.........

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Splendor has written the biggest success story of Hero Honda's journey in India.As no other
Motorcycle has broken its record.Splendor got perfect looks with fuel efficient engine with low price tag.

Clive Ames said...

Hi

I have read your articales on Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal Mahakuta, and Hampi with great pleasure, we will be comming in January, with 5 nights in Badami and 6 nights in Hampi also Itagi, Kuknoor,

And Lakundi on the way back to Hubli airport from Hampi

Please can you tell me how difficult is the climb to the following, time to do climb and, approximate number of steps if possible

- Hemakuta Temples - Hampi

- Upper Shivalaya Temple - Badami

- Meguti Temple - Aihole

- Any other places that are difficult to reach in the sites above ?

Thank you so much for your kind assistance

My email address is cliveames@gmail.com

Cheers

Clive





We have been comming to India since 1981 and very interested in ancient architecture

siddeshwar said...

Thank you, Clive. Glad you are spending so much time in the heart of Karnataka. These are hillocks, not very long climbs if you are used to climbing. Hemakuta can be climbed in about 30 minutes, Badami hill about 20 minutes and Meguti hill about 10 minutes. Wishing you a happy vacation!