Introduction: Hero’s entry into the world of un-geared scooters started with the Pleasure more than a decade back. It was aimed at the fair sex and even carried the tagline “why should boys have all the fun”. However, the tagline did not stop customers of both the sexes to purchase and ride this practical and affordable scooter. This might be the reason then why Hero decided to give the Pleasure an all-new avatar and name it the Pleasure Plus. How good is it? Read on…
For starters, the Pleasure+ now gets an entirely new design theme and we love that uber retro touch that the new headlamp lends. Scooters like the Vespa range and Yamaha Fascino have created their own niche in terms of the unique design and this one is no different. In fact, at this price point, the Pleasure+ turns out to be an affordable, yet chic looking scooter in its segment. Our media vehicle came wrapped in matt green shade and this did look quite appealing. Fit and finish was more than acceptable for the price range though we are told the actual production versions will fare far better.
The front apron is new and houses indicators on either side of the silver body panel. The same silver effect can be seen on the side body panel as well. The Pleasure+ continues to ride on 10-inch wheels and does not get a front disc brake due to cost constraints. That said, we like the aesthetics including the exhaust shield, typical H shape for the tail lamp and the large practical rear grab rail.
The Pleasure+ is aimed towards young individuals and this is where the added practicality of front storage spaces come into the picture. These are large enough to hold water bottles and the external charging outlet means you can safely keep your mobile in the left storage area. Likewise, the floorboard is also wide enough for most users. The speedometer console in the meantime continues to have analogue readouts and gets both a fuel gauge and a side stand indicator. While the scooter offers a rear brake lock, it misses out on external fuel filler cap.
Engine and Performance: But the biggest change here is the larger 110cc engine that we also see on the Duet and the Maestro Edge. It replaces the older 102cc mill and puts out a healthy 8 bhp of power and 8.7 Nm of torque. These might not sound exciting enough but the fact that the scooter weighs in at just 101 kgs means its zippy enough for most riders.
From the word go, the Pleasure+ gains speed instantly and the engine is devoid of any rough edges or vibrations. Even when riding two up, it picks speeds enthusiastically and this is a boon for city runs. Do note that it misses out on Hero’s i3S or start-stop tech and this has been deliberately to keep costs in check. Holding 60-70km/h for extended periods does not stress the engine and given the road, it will do about 90 km/h, a good 10 km/h increment over the previous model.
The Pleasure+ continues to make use of trailing arm front suspension and we didn't find any fault with its ride during our stint with the scooter. The integrated braking system or IBS comes handy and does cover up for the lack of a front disc to an extent. The small wheels do aid handling in terms of agility though if you want a confidence inspiring scooter, do have a look at its elder sibling, the Maestro 125. But that said, the (new) larger seat and easy dynamics work well for first timers and amateur riders. The seat height, at 765mm, is also low keeping in mind average size Indians and the female users.
Verdict: Priced from Rs 47,300 onwards (ex-showroom Delhi), the Pleasure+ continues to offer excellent value for your money, undercutting the likes of the Yamaha Fashion by as much as over Rs 5000! Keeping aside smaller capacity options, this is the most accessible form of scootering in India right now. And this comes without any shortcomings. It looks nice in the new avatar, is zippy enough for daily runs and is priced just right for first time buyers. Another success story for Hero? Remember, you read it all here!
