My First Bike: Splendor Plus i3s

Buying your first bike is supposed to be a moment of joy, a memory you carry forever. For me, that bike was the Hero Splendor Plus i3s. I had dreamed of owning my own bike for years, and finally, after a long struggle, I managed to buy it. The on-road price was around ₹95,000, but because I couldn’t pay the full amount at once, I bought it on EMI—a monthly installment of ₹3,000, which in total will cost me about ₹1,15,000. I chose this bike very carefully. I wanted something with high mileage, low maintenance cost, and a good build quality. Spare parts should be easily available, and the brand should be reliable. The Splendor Plus i3s fit all these requirements—it is a trusted name, known for its performance and durability. For someone like me, who doesn’t have a lot of money, this bike was not just a purchase—it was an investment in my future. But the process of buying this bike was not as smooth as I had hoped. I went through everything by myself—there was no one to guide me. I relied on AI, websites, and online information, but when it came to real-world experience, things were very different. Brokers, middlemen, and hidden charges drained my pocket. I lost money unnecessarily in the name of broker fees, commissions, and extra charges. Even getting things like insurance, RC (Registration Certificate), and government approvals turned into a battle. The worst part is the corruption in the system. If you want an RC quickly, you must pay “extra” to the broker. If you want insurance, again there are hidden charges. I tried to argue, I tried to do everything honestly, but in the end, I had to spend money that I shouldn’t have. It’s frustrating when you realize the system is not designed to help ordinary people—it is designed to exploit them. I bought this bike because I wanted to join as a delivery boy to support myself. I believed this bike would give me new opportunities and help me build my career step by step. But now, even after two months, I am still waiting for my RC. Without it, I can’t properly use my bike for work. The dream that was supposed to lift me up is now stuck in government paperwork and corruption. Still, I don’t regret buying my Splendor Plus i3s. Every time I sit on it, I feel a sense of pride—it’s my bike, my first bike, something I earned with my own struggle. It represents my effort, my fight against circumstances, and my determination to move forward. To anyone planning to buy a new bike, my advice is simple: be prepared. Do your research, but also understand that reality may be very different from what you see online. Try to take guidance from someone who has already gone through the process. Don’t trust every broker blindly, and keep some extra money ready for unexpected expenses. For me, the Splendor Plus i3s is not just a bike—it’s a lesson. A lesson about dreams, struggles, corruption, and resilience. One day, when I finally receive my RC, I will start my journey as a delivery boy, and I will remember this bike as the symbol of my first step toward independence.