Hero Honda Hunk: The full details

Just returned from the unveiling of the newest motorcycle on the block, the Hero Honda Hunk. Hero Honda claims that the engine has been tweaked - 'piston pin is now inclined,' friction has been decimated further etc. However, the peak power and torque figures appear to be identical to the Hero Honda CBZ X-Treme. That's 14.2bhp at 8500 rpm and 12.8 nm at 6500 rpm. The information released at the event says that the engine now has tumble flow (like swirl, but vertical). If I understand correctly, that should have boosted torque. Maybe the torque curve sits higher everywhere, but has the same peak. Then again, if that were the case, I'd say as much... and they didn't. So, is the powertrain different from the CBZ X-Treme, no official word, but I think not. It is painted a nice grey, though.

But engine aside, there's a lot of pretty good stuff on the bike. The new gas charged rear shocks look good, for instance, although their dynamic benefit will become clear only after one swings a leg over. Similarly, the deeply dished saddle looks great and feels good to sit in. I do wish they'd gone the whole hog and split the seats, though. Staying with the seat, the seat lock is now separated from the helmet lock. The former is integrated (key operated) into the tailpiece, while the helmet lock is not part of the saree guard (like the CD-Deluxe? Not sure).

The styling is pretty interesting. The massive tank extensions look good, but once you are seated, it makes the tank look pretty big. On the other hand, if you like hanging off, the seat extensions offer a pretty secure place to lock in your thighs. The fairing looks neat too, although I think they could have been more adventurous with the headlamp shape and size. The rest of the bike is a striking interplay between matte black and painted panels, and I was faintly reminded of similar themes on the recent Hornet, and either a recent 600RR or a 1000RR... not sure. Upshot? Build quality is great and fit-finish is also great. Altogether, the bike does look pretty striking. Although, I will admit that it still is a far cry from what we were expecting - full fairing, monoshock, twin headlamps etc. None of which make an appearance.

Hero Honda also chose two rather curious points to talk about. The Hunk (that name, oh that name) does not have a digital dash element, favouring a bright red speedo (chrome bezel) flanked by a revcounter and a fuel gauge. The other thing is that the Hunk reverts to a bulb type tail lamp, which again mystifies me. Hero Honda showed a fancy chart where the Karizma held down the Biker end, while the Achiever managed the commuter end of the scale. And while the CBZ X-Treme is positioned as appealing to the style conscious crowd, the Hunk is supposed to be a more raw kind of performance bike, and therefore labelled macho. The digi-dash and the LED omissions, evidently, are due to that thought, and no 'delicate' elements were incorporated in the Hunk.

Hero Honda will offer a 3 year warranty, and there will be two variants. The kick start model (features a kick back prevention device...) will set you back Rs 55,000 ex-showroom (not specified but usually Delhi), while the electric start model costs Rs 57,000.

Okay, the chap in the pic. Just thought you guys should see this. The unveiling space was flanked by rigged up gyms with these hunks working out... to set the tone, so to speak. And the images are either mine (meters and hunk) or courtesyHero Honda