Hero Glamour X Expert Review: Best In Class 125cc ?

​The Hero Glamour is considerably one of the most contributing series in an almost half-century journey of the HeroMotocorp. The Glamour has seen three distinct generations since its origin of twenty-one years, always evolving to the market preferences and consumer demands. Fast-forwarding to today, replacing the mid-life update to Glamour Xtec, India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer (Hero MotoCorp) recently introduced Glamour X, setting an example for the upcoming era of 125cc commuters in India. 

The Glamour X, as its name suggests, denotes the X-factor as a culmination of style, technology and refinement at its peak, only elevating the USP, best-in-class fuel efficiency. The Glamour Xtec, when launched in 2021, was a step up from the Glamour Classic, and thus the Glamour X takes the legacy forward, redefining not just its transition but the segment. Let’s delve into all the aspects of this update to find out whether this upgrade lies to the OEMs’ commitment or not!

Design: 

​The Glamour X mimics the silhouette of its predecessor, underpinning the same chassis. This allows the bike to portray larger-than-life body proportions. Similarly, the headlamp cluster signifies an H-shaped daytime-running LED (DRL) within an identical blacked-out LED headlamp housing.  To differentiate the looks, the cowling has been extended to the merged windscreen portion, equally enhancing the aerodynamics of the motorcycle.

In addition, the extension on the elongated 10-litre fuel tank is further complemented by five dual-tone exterior shades, allowing for a bolder appeal. Furthermore, the tail end imitates the Karizma XMR 210, flaunting a sleeker LED unit, adding to the sporty flair. The livery overall glorifies a simplistic, though eye-catching, glance without any overdoing. 

Technology:

In terms of consumer tech, the Glamour X packs a coloured, well-lit LCD instrumentation carried from the Karizma XMR 210. The digital display is controlled through the tactile switch gear positioned on the left-sided handlebar for turn-by-turn navigation and Bluetooth connectivity of message and call alerts, besides music control. The digital dash also showcases three riding modes, Eco/Road/Power, thanks to the incorporation of the ride-by-wire throttle, which has also benefited this entry-level commuter with a first-in-segment speed limiter cruise control.  Having said that, the cruise control can be set for both high- and low-speed cruising. Moreover, for additional convenience, a Type-C charging port is also available for seamless on-the-go charging of your smartphone.  

​Exclusive of this, the mechanics are taken care of by “low battery kickstart assist”. This feature might not be an attention grabber but is actually a major support system to the bike’s mill. HeroMotoCorp claims that Indian customers are not as service-orientated as the overseas markets, given that the batteries aren’t replaced for years, especially taking into account the tier-2 and 3 cities, or townships.

This most oftenly leads to the battery’s current getting low and therefore barring the opening of the throttle body’s valve and the supply of the air-fuel mixture to the displacement, ultimately being an obstruction in the motor’s ignition. Nevertheless, a solution to this has been found that lets a small amount of current be sent to the throttle body, allowing the motor to ignite and hence the engine to start. The Glamour X is the first ride-by-wire motorcycle to equip the low-battery kickstart assist. 

​Engine & Performance:

​Powering this bike is an Xtreme 125R liquid-cooled single-cylinder 2V (SOHC) mill. Despite the tuning, performance figures more or less remain constant at 11.4 bhp and 10.5 Nm. However, the peppiness character seems to be shifted around refinement here. Additionally, this 124.7 cc motor pulls out adequate power output for city commutes, in spite of the visible torque lags during highway cruises, given the purpose of this motorcycle being family-centric short commutes. The refinement has been initiated through the electronic throttle body, where the boffins at CIT utilise a new balancer shaft resulting in no vibrations in the engine and hence low NVH levels. The three ride modes, as the name suggests, are Eco, which assures maximum fuel efficiency, which is around 65.0 kmpl (ARAI) to be maintained for longer periods, and sometimes even more depending on one’s riding style and speed. 

Adding to the fuel-efficiency part, the cruise control with speed limiter for both high and low speeds contributes further. While highway cruising, it comes into play, ensuring a throttle-free ride at recommended speeds between 75 and 80 kmph until clutched to brake, authorising greater mileage than claimed numbers and a hassle-free ride experience. Coming to the Road, this mode serves as a default setting for daily commutes; fuelling is crisp, the throttle response is predictable, and the throttle feel is closer to that of an authentic cable. This mode is ideal for achieving zippy speeds; nonetheless, considering faster acceleration rounds, the Power mode engages in obtaining the triple digits up to 105 kmph, also said to be the claimed top speed. 

​In power mode at lower revs, the throttle is likely to feel a bit jerky, but it’s no more of a niggle in comparison to an objection. For good measure, collectively all the modes deliver a crisp power delivery, followed by natural throttle calibration. These all function with a low-gear-travelled 5-speed transmission, which has scope for improvements in the shifting for regular jerking with up/down and occasional false neutrals. Regardless of the odds, a lower speed and higher gear combination in combination with light clutching is applauded, specifically keeping in mind the bumper-to-bumper traffic conditions. Cutting to the chase, due to the variable liquid-cooling mechanism, in defiance of smaller cubic capacity, there is a minimal heating issue that regulates to a smooth run of the motor generating linear torque delivery. 

​Ride & Handling:

The handling, as an outcome of light kerb weight, is about 127 kg, which makes it feel confident, especially with wider handlebars. Notwithstanding, the lighter body weight is only planted on the plain tarmac; once you switch to bad roads, the stability is impacted due to the thinner rear-tyre section. The decreased 1267 mm of wheel travel directs to a shorter turning radius catering to day-to-day practicality, which also forbids jolt impacts in synergy with the fine-tuned suspension. As much as the front telescopic setup deals with accurate damping, the rear twin-shock absorbers adapt to a greater compression ratio, keeping both the rider and pillion painless on even longer rides of 90-100 km. 

Notably, this bike does lose grip on slippery surfaces and in tight turnings; hence, trying to corner this family commuter is highly unadvisable. The suspension, altogether, is set on the firmer side, avoiding body rattling and unevenness on rough patches. The high ground clearance of 170 mm correspondingly caters to speed bumps and water-sunken streets, basically potholes. The wheels ride durably for high speeds as well, enhancing the capabilities of this budget-friendly entrant, raising bars for the competition. 

Talking of the braking duties, the top-spec variant is handled by a front disc and a rear drum, which unfortunately lacks ABS and is bolted with CBS. The byte irrespective of the lack of sintered pads, is to the point, though the unavailability of ABS to date is significantly a major miss. The safety standards are not yet compromised with the addition of panic emergency braking indication via LED side blinkers. 

CarBike360 Says:

Pricing for the Hero Glamour X begins at ₹89,999 for the drum brake variant, which also does without LED turn indicators and an LED tail lamp. The top-spec version, as ridden here, is priced at ₹99,999. At this price point, the Glamour X presents strong value for money. It covers the essentials convincingly while also offering a feature set that goes beyond what most buyers in this segment typically expect. As a motorcycle, it is well-rounded and capable of keeping its owners engaged in everyday riding. The only notable omission is the absence of ABS, a feature that would significantly strengthen the package if introduced in a future update. Barring this, the Glamour X comes across as an easy recommendation for buyers seeking a stylish, refined, and fuss-free commuter that delivers more than just basic transportation.