Hero Honda Hunk

Overdrive magazine had once carried the test ride of the Pulsar 200 DTSi with the title "Trial and Error".. Well then, what would you call the latest 150 cc from Hero Honda..??

The origin of the engine of the Hunk is from the "CBZ Xtreme", which in turn was another iteration of the "Achiever", the genesis of which can be traced back to the Honda "Unicorn".

In its latest December 2007 issue, Overdrive doesn't call the Hero Honda Hunk as "Trial and Error" like it did for the Pulsar 200 DTSi. But after going through the test drive report of the Hunk in the same magazine, both of us (I and Overdrive Magazine) agree that the latest "Hunk is the worthy successor to the Original Hero Honda CBZ"

Positives:

+ Smooth Engine (till 6000 rpm)
+ Styling
+ Comfortable Riding Position

Negatives:

- Lack of LED Tail Lamps, Rear Grab Rail, Digital meters
- Vibrations at High RPM
- Slightly hard gearbox

The Original "CBZ" from Hero Honda was the bike that introduced sleek and sexy styling for Indian bikes and that was way back in 1999. It is sad that Hero Honda lost the plot completely after that and it has taken them 8 years (!!) to match the styling standards set by its own CBZ.

The choice of the name as "Hunk" for a bike still doesn't go down well with me. But just a casual glance at the bike is sufficient to convince you that the philosophy behind the design has been to impart a macho look to it.


The original CBZ was the trendsetter in styling for Indian bikes, a plot which Hero Honda sadly lost with the conservatively styled 150 cc "Achiever" and the subsequent over the top/ awkward styling of the 150 cc CBZ Xtreme. With the "Hunk", Hero Honda seems to have finally redeemed itself.



Styling:

The rear mudguard sticks out a little bit more than required.

A matt black finished rear view mirror would actually have looked more "Hunky".

The "Hunk" has sculpted and muscular looks which immensely benefits from the huge plastic tank extensions. Unlike the plain jane and amateurish slashes of the CBZ Xtreme, the "Hunk" has a sculpted tank and equally well finished side panels and tail piece. The sore point in the entirely styling is the rear mudguard, which sticks a little bit more than required. The headlamp could have been better and the same goes for the rear tail lamps. Also missing from the "Hunk" are Split Rear Grab Rails and LED tails lamps and Digital Speedometers found on other 150 cc bikes. The Rear View Mirrors with its glossy back finish looks like it has been taken from the "Pleasure" scooter. A matt black finished mirror would actually have looked more "Hunky".

Overall, the bike indeed looks quite handsome. It will be difficult for anyone to not give it a second glance.

Styling: Very Good (Thank God finally..!!)

Engine & Gearbox:

Honda engines are known worldwide for its butter smooth performance. Hero Honda has benefited immensely from its association with Honda and most of its engines show similar smooth performance as well. Press the thumb starter and the "Hunk" immediately settles into an ultra smooth idle.. the bike pulls cleanly through the gears. The engine builds up revs quite enthusiastically with the twist of the right hand. Excellent..!! The Hunk has the highest power rating on paper among rest of the 150cc bikes of India. The on road performance of the Hunk is also quite satisfying.

If you are looking for a Stylish and Comfortable 150 cc bike and need Performance as well, prepared to sacrifice a few goodies..

then look no further than the Hero Honda "Hunk"..

I got the chance to test ride the "Hunk" alone and without any showroom guy at the pillion seat. After a few initial runs, I decided to give the "Hunk" the stick. The pick up along with the engine smoothness remains impressive till around 6000 RPM.. but as the engine RPM's raise higher, vibrations make their presence felt. In fact after 7000 rpm and around 8000 rpm the vibrations indeed becomes very pronounced and violent.

The gears are positive on the "Hunk" but you have to really put in some effort and need to give a firm shove to make the shifts. The vibration at high rpm and the somewhat hard gearshift takes the fun out of the ride experience a little bit.

Engine: Smooth and responsive till around 6000 rpm Gearbox: Needs a firm shove to slot into gears

Ride Quality, Handling:

The "Hunk" features Gas Filled Shock Absorbers for the rear suspension, which is a first for any Hero Honda bike. The Gas shock absorbers definitely improve the ride quality and offer better damping than the rear suspension of the CBZ Xtreme. But it is still not as plush as the rear suspension of the Pulsars. The "slightly" stiff rear suspension rewards you with very good handling characteristics. The handling is well sorted and taking the corners on the "Hunk" is a joy.

Ride Quality: Good Handling: Very Good

[1] Front foot peg have to be raised to make way for the Kick Lever [2] The Metal Brace for the rear mudguard

A few noteworthy points:

Riding Position: The riding position on the Hero Honda "Hunk" is not as sporty as the Bajaj Pulsar or the TVS Apache RTR. The rider sits straight and comfortable with the high set handlebars. Front Foot pegs: To compliment the high handlebars the front foot pegs aren't that rear-set. The front foot pegs are pushed "just" a little bit behind. Which definitely gives that little bit of sporty riding position. But it also means that the right front foot peg has to be raised every time to kick start the bike (a la Original CBZ). Metal Brace for the rear mudguard: The prevent the rear mud-guard from rattling (a problem seen in the initial Pulsar UGIII versions), Hero Honda has provided the rear mudguard with a metal brace. Scooped Seat for the Rider: The rider now sits a bit lower on the "Hunk" compared to the CBZ xtreme, thanks to the slightly scooped "bucket" seat for the rider. Shorter riders (like myself) will definitely appreciate this feature.

Colors: The Hunk comes in the following colors

• Solid Black
• Metallic black
• Red
• Silver
• Blue

Price: The "Hunk" is available in two versions..

• Self Start: Around Rs. 65K (On Road Bangalore)
• Kick start: Around Rs.63K (On Road Bangalore)

Fuel Efficiency: Can't really comment on this due to obvious reasons.. but one can expect a figure of around 50 Kmpl.

Verdict: The "Hunk" lacks the Split Rear Grab Rails and the LED tail lamps of the CBZ Xtreme and the Digital speedometer found in the Bajaj Pulsar and TVS Apache RTR. Also the vibrations at high rpm and that notchy gearbox takes the fun factor a little bit out of the equation.

But the "Hunk" is definitely better than the CBZ Xtreme in every respect. Also it is about Rs.700 - Rs.800 cheaper than the CBZ Xtreme as well. Also as speculated by a few, the Hunk doesn't feel small in any respects and still has the big bike feel like the CBZ Xtreme.

Personally I won't ride anything named as "Hunk" (Thank God that I have options). Wonder why Hero Honda didn't name it the "CBZ"(just "CBZ" not "CBZ Xtreme")..?? But if you are looking for a comfortable 150 cc bike and need performance as well, don't like the looks of the CBZ Xtreme, then look no further than the Hero Honda "Hunk".



Also I don't get it why Hero Honda still continues the production of the Achiever and the CBZ Xtreme.. did someone say Trial and Error..!!..??











Hero Honda Hunk, Technical Specification

Engine

• Engine: Air Cooled, 4 Stroke, Single Cylinder
• Engine Displacement: 149.2 cc
• Max Power: 14.4 Ps @ 8500 RPM
• Max Torque: 12.80 Nm @ 6500 RPM
• Bore X Stroke: 57.3 X 57.8 mm
• Carburettor: CV Type
• Ignition: AMI- Advanced Microprocessor Ignition System
• Gearbox: 5 Speed Constant Mesh

Chasis

• Type: Tubular, Diamond Type
• Front Suspension: Telescopic
• Rear Suspension: REctangular Swingarm, 5 step Gas Reservoir Suspension (GRS)
• Front Brake: 240 mm dia Disc Brake
• Rear Brake: 130 mm Drum Brake

Wheels

• Front Rim: 1.85 X 18, Alloy
• Rear Rim: 2.15 X 18, Alloy
• Front Tyre: 2.75 X 18
• Rear Tyre: 100/90 X 18

Physical Dimensions

• Length: 2080 mm
• Width: 765 mm
• Height: 1095 mm
• Wheelbase: 1325 mm
• Saddle Height: 795 mm
• Ground Clearance: 145 mm
• Keb Weight: 143 Kg (Kick)/146 Kg (Self)

Electricals

• Battery: 12V- 7Ah
• Headlight: 12V 35/35W - Halogen
• Tail Light: 12V - 5W
• Stop Light: 12V - 21W
• Turn Signal Light: 12V - 10W X 4 Nos. Clear Lens Multi Refector Type

Tank Capacity:

12.4 Lts, Usuable Reserve 2.2 Lts.