2020 Hero Glamour 125 Test Ride Review

2020 Hero Glamour 125 Review

Bike tested: Hero Glamour 125 BS6; Road Test No. 1237; Test Location: Mumbai

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 90,060/-

The Hero Glamour boasts of many new bits and it has become better than before

A famous name in the commuter motorcycle segment in India is the Hero Glamour 125. The indigenous offering is well-known for its high efficiency, smart looks, and its strict no non-sense nature. Hero unveiled the latest and updated BS6 iteration of the same about 7 months ago, and it has received a few changes. The biggest ones being the 125cc motor’s BS6 compliance, 5-speed gearbox, and a facelift. However, Hero claims that Glamour makes more power and is even more efficient than before. Is it actually better than before? We try to find out exactly that in our test ride review of the 2020 Hero Glamour 125.

MotorQuest: Hero launched the Glamour in India in 2005, a time when Hero & Honda were together and weren’t locking horns. In 2008, Hero updated the Glamour and also launched an FI version with another update in 2011. There were a few other updates over the years, and this is the latest one as the Glamour now adheres to the stricter BS6 norms.

Styling: The Hero Glamour has always been one of the smartest commuter bikes and for 2020, it has gotten even better looking. The updated Glamour hosts a dual-tone paint job with stylish graphics. The bike looks edgy as well, and it is definitely much sharper than its competition. The shape of the headlamp is fresh, and some people might confuse the secondary lights as LED DRLs. Sadly, there is no LED usage anywhere and all lights are halogen. As you move along, the shape of the fuel tank and the ‘checked flag’ graphics enhance the overall appearance.

The Glamour has got a facelift and it does look dapper for a 125cc commuter

There is a common theme of blackened lower half and same is continued on the Glamour too. It gets red suspension springs for the rear which does look cool. Just like the new 5-spoke alloys which have a unique design too. It gets a total of 4 colour options while all of them having a dual-tone shade to it. Lastly, towards the rear, we have the new signature ‘H’ taillight which looks sharp. Overall, the Glamour is a good-looking commuter motorcycle, but some LED treatment would’ve given it a significant upper hand in the segment.

Instrument Cluster and Switchgear: The Hero Glamour 125 has had a semi-digital speedometer since a long time now, and it still gets one. While there have been updates to it over the years, but there are no major changes for the BS6 model. The instrument cluster of the Glamour doesn’t look outdated, though. The digital part is backlit with a blue light, which makes it decent to read. The information on offer has also remained the same as the speedometer gets a single trip meter, a fuel efficiency meter and a side-stand indicator along with the standard tell-tale lights.

The speedometer of the Glamour has unique information on offer if you consider the competition

While the instrument cluster is decent, the switchgear isn’t. The buttons feel plasticky and it looks like an attempt at severe cost-cutting by Hero. There is no engine kill switch button but there’s a blue i3S button in its place which is confusing. Talking of confusing, the high beam and the low beam button is a push-type and one might confuse it with the indicator switch while riding. All in all, the Hero Glamour has a decent instrument cluster, but the switchgear quality is not up to mark.

Ergonomics: The Glamour is a commuter motorcycle, and it feels like it as well. The tall handlebars and centre-set footpegs result in an upright riding triangle. This results in a comfortable riding posture which is fatigue-free. Further, the seat is wide and long with good cushioning, making it even more ideal for commuting. Seat height is low as well and should accommodate small to medium height riders with ease. One issue we faced repeatedly, though, were the mirrors. The quality of the mirrors feels cheap and they tend to move a lot when you’re riding. We had to adjust the mirrors repeatedly, which got annoying after a while.

Performance: While most commuter motorcycles struggle to limit the damage done by the stricter norms, the Hero Glamour has had a bump in performance. The Glamour makes about 20% more power than before now and it’s a major plus point. This has largely to do with the all-new 125cc engine and Hero’s XSens Programmed Fuel Injection. The 124.7cc motor makes 10.73 HP at 7500 RPM and 10.6 Nm of torque at 6000 RPM. Another plus point of the Glamour is its 5-speed gearbox which gives it an edge over the competition as we usually see a 4-speed gearbox in this segment. The 5-speed gearbox also helps the engine run stress-free as the gearing gets spread out.

Hero has managed to increase the power figures of the Glamour and the 5-speed gearbox is like a cherry on the cake

How is it to ride? Peppy. The low end and mid-range grunt are good, but the power fades out as the motor reaches the top-end. The engine feels more frugal than before, though, and is enjoyable in the city. Hero has also introduced an Auto Sail feature, which is equivalent to TVS’s GTT feature. The Auto Sail feature works in all 5 gears and up to 25 km/hr which is impressive. Another impressive bit about the engine is its efficiency, the bike can easily return upwards of 60 km/l in the city, thanks to the i3S tech, which rounds up the total range to about 550 km considering the 10-litre fuel tank. The only place where the engine could improve is the refinement as vibrations start to creep in from the handle and the seat as you cross the mid-range.

Riding Dynamics: While the Glamour excels in the performance department, the same cannot be said for the riding dynamics. The bike feels light and nimble in the city, and the 18-inch wheels offer good stability. So what’s wrong? The suspension setup. The soft front end and the hard rear suspension results in a not-so-plush ride. While the front end is very light (almost too light), the rear end is stiff and you can feel the bumps right in the back. However, this problem seems to disappear as soon as a pillion jumps on, which is again, confusing.

The Glamour feels agile and nimble while filtering through traffic in the city

Another aspect where the Glamour can improve is the brakes. We rode the disc brake variant, and it wasn’t super impressive. The 240 mm disc brake up front is decent but the lever feel and bite is not sharp. The case is same for the rear drum brake setup as well. However, the bike gets a combined braking system which makes life easier for the rider. In conclusion, Glamour is decent for commuting duties, but there are better options in the market. It does look dashing but rides like a workhouse commuter.

Verdict: At Rs. Rs. 90,060/-, the Glamour is a decent option in today’s commuter segment of motorcycles. It offers peppy performance, a best-in-class 5-speed gearbox, a semi-digital speedometer, and some other technology. All this makes the Hero Glamour 125 a top contender and a good option if you’re looking for a no non-sense commuter motorcycle. However, if you live in areas where the roads aren’t smooth, we suggest you look at other options considering the suspension setup of the Glamour is not very suitable for rough roads.

What’s Cool

* Motor returns great fuel economy
* Edgy styling and graphics are one of the finest in class
* Performance in the low-end, as well as mid-range, is really likeable

What’s Not So Cool

* Switchgear quality could be much better
* Brakes are decent but don’t offer enough feedback and bite
* Rear suspension is unsuitable for usual city conditions or solo riding

Alternatives – Honda SP 125, Hero Super Splendor, Bajaj Pulsar 125

2020 Hero Glamour 125 Specifications

* Engine: 125cc, Air-cooled, Single-cylinder, Programmed FI
* Power: 10.73 BHP @ 7500 RPM
* Torque: 10.6 Nm @ 6000 RPM
* Transmission: 5-Speed
* Top Speed: 95 km/hr
* Fuel Consumption: 60-65 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Chassis: Diamond Frame
* Suspension: Telescopic Forks (Front), Dual Shocks (Rear)
* Tyres: 80/100/18 (Front), 100/80/18 (Rear)
* Brakes: 240 mm Disc (Front), 130 mm Drum (Rear)

2020 Hero Glamour 125 Dimensions

* Length x Width x Height: 2051 mm x 743 mm x 1074 mm
* Wheelbase: 1273 mm
* Ground Clearance: 180 mm
* Seat Height: 793 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 10-litre
* Kerb weight: 122 kg (Drum), 123 kg (Disc)