Hero Honda-Hunk

  

Hero Honda-Hunk

Hero Honda has had its fingers sunk into the 150cc pie for a while now. Its CBZ launched as the first Indian 150 in early 1999. Hero Honda has just unleashed its Hunk, the model it believes will deliver the Pulsar a sucker punch. Can the Hunk succeed where so many have failed?:

DESIGN AND ENGINEERING

A sleekly-proportioned motorcycle, the new Hero Honda attracts attention wherever it goes. It sports an exquisitely sculpted front bikini fairing, with a bright halogen-equipped headlight. And it offers the facility of a pass light switch and easily-cancelled indicators. The Hunk would have done well to move with the times and ditch its analogue clocks. It does win back some brownie points with excellent palm grips, nice levers and effective rear-view mirrors.

The Hunk has an awesome fuel-tank, with cowls jutting ahead to close the void to its front fairing, recesses that comfortably accommodate a rider’s knees and a smart alloy fuel-filler. Well thought out ergonomics delight on the bike, with a pronounced seat step adding to style, while simultaneously offering a nice feel. The engine looks trendy thanks to a black theme and noticeable red plug-cap. Moving to the rear, you will notice Hero Honda has excelled with the execution of its dual-tone rear fairing, which leads into a mudguard extending well beyond its simple tail-light. While our first impression had this overhang looking out of place, in time it actually grew on us. It uses handsome alloy wheels and subtle, yet excitingly-coloured front forks and rear shock-absorbers. Lustrous paint sheen, exemplary fit and finish, super attention to detail and top-drawer rubber and plastic are present on the Hunk.

PERFORMANCE, FUEL ECONOMY AND HANDLING
The Hunk derives power from a near-vertically arranged single cylinder that is air cooled, displaces 149.2cc and uses aluminium-alloy for its head as well as cylinder construction. The twin-valve motor breathes via a CV carburettor and offers friction-reducing bearings between its rocker arms and valve contact surfaces. The Hunk generates 14.4bhp of power at 8500rpm. This Hero Honda engine note is docile until given the stick, at which point it takes on a lovely rorty tone and goads riders to rev harder.

The Hunk feels smoother than a Pulsar, although it surprisingly doesn’t match a Honda Unicorn for refinement, despite using almost the same Honda engine. The Hunk offers a one-down, four-up-shifting five-speed transmission and its positive gearbox is a pleasure to shift through. Clutch action is, likewise, enjoyable; smooth with a light, near-perfect pull. Riders with a penchant for a sporty feel will enjoy the toe shift lever of the Hunk. The Hunk delivers an exciting rush of power when called upon, and runs cleanly through its wide powerband to deliver good throttle response with low vibe levels. A standing start to 60kph run took the Hunk 5.56sec with the 100kph mark coming up in 22.75sec The Hunk manages a top speed of 107kph.

The Hunk uses a Hero Honda-typical single tube that reaches down to grasp onto its engine, a stressed member. Suspension bits are a constant, with preset telescopic forks used in front and gas-charged twin dampers provided in conjunction with a box-section swingarm on the rear the bike. The Hunk uses top-class MRF rubber.

The Hunk still embraces a similar weight-pushed-forward, yet roomy experience as first offered on the CBZ, with an ideal riding position. Ride quality — a dark area on several Hero Hondas — is thankfully now up there with the best on the Hunk.

This brings us to handling, a parameter for which the CBZ X-treme held the ‘best-in-class’ trophy till a short while ago. The Hunk goes one up on cousin X, displaying exemplary cornering manners, a reassuring, planted feel at all times and lightning-quick turn-in that allowed us to leave our apex geometry down to the last possible instant. It’s a bike that feels just as effortlessly at home in the mountains, as it does pottering around in crowded city conditions. Straight-line stability is fair, with excellent brakes also a welcome attribute. The Hunk achieves quick stops using a disc in front and drum at the rear.

In the city the Hunk went through a litre of fuel after 46.9kms, and on the highway it returned 50.2kpl.

Verdict
Say hello to the new Hunk, a bike that does manage to lift the segment crown. The new Hero looks better than a Pulsar, offers a reliable Honda engine and a fantastic riding position, while lifting the handling bar a notch higher than any 150 thus far. Yes, a Pulsar still provides some extras lacking on the Hero Honda, like digital instruments and intelligent switchgear, but were you to ask us, the Hunk is the model that finally pulls past the Pulsar to perch atop a bustling 150cc segment.