Oct 17, 2007

Hero Honda Hunk: The full details

Hero Honda HunkJust 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.

Hero Honda HunkBut 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 HunkHero 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 HunkHero 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.

Hero Honda HunkOkay, 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

Hero Honda Hunk

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

Power
CBZ Xtreme: 14.2bhp/14.4ps @ 8,5000rpm
HUNK: 14.4ps @ 8,500rpm

Torque:
CBZ Xtreme: 12.80 N-m @ 6500rpm
HUNK: 12.80 N-m @ 6500rpm

Dry Weight:
CBZ Xtreme: 141kg
HUNK: 143kg

Price (ex-Showroom Delhi):
CBZ Xtreme: 54,500
HUNK: 55,000

What a waste of a bike.

Anonymous said...

everything looks good but can we digest these many 150s?

Anonymous said...

Hunk? How very, very gay... What the f*** is the matter with Hero Honda? Who comes up with all these brilliant names?!

Lavkesh said...

I dont think the omission of digital speedo and led's is due to 'macho' line of thought because as I see it, led is more reliable than a bulb tailight, similarly with the digital speedo with magnetic pick up. I would still label it as cost cutting though this time around HH has actually made a really handsome looking bike, save for the crappy name. I want to slap the person on the face who came up with it. As is the case for the past few months, the competition in the 150cc hots up yet again and pulsar is now beginning to look a little dated. Time for Bajaj to now up the act and improve the visible fit and finish.

--xh-- said...

hm.. why am i not surprized???
I still remember the wait I had to get my hands on teh first CBZ - it came with teh world cup logo. now when i hear that HH is launching a 'new' bike, i just node...

Kedar Parikh, said...

Hey Man i got the hunk pics from xbhp, its says originally posted by rearset. Dude i am posting the pics on my blog, giving due credit to you for the same.

Thanks In advance

Anonymous said...

nice lookin bike....can't say the same about the name though...one thing is for sure after the tie up with honda runs out next year...HH will be left stranded...the only new bike to come out in almost an year has been the fuel injected glamour...which bombed big time.

Archeriostichaos said...

May this piece of Junk..err..Hunk go down the drain in the sales chart and take Hero Honda along with it!

Though the following sentences will seem very much off-topic here, it is not, its a great time to put HHML on the blocks! The volumes are second to none, great brand value in the market but with margins shrinking every quarter, its a good time for the Munjals to ask Honda to buy HHML out!

How will we benefit? Firstly, we wont get bikes which are more like slogans of same sex rights groups.Secondly, we will not be disappointed everytime a "premium" segment bike is rolled out of the "hallowened" gates of Manesar. Thirdly, it will allow Honda to finally consolidate in India for good and bring in more products. Finally, it will free up the production lines which are now manufacturing the mills for Unicorn, Achiever, CBZX and now the Hunk!

p.s. Can I use one photo of the Hunk from your blog for usage in mine?

Mucho thanks!
Shamik

Anonymous said...

its actually a good looking bike.

Unknown said...

Honda is great. Many of my friends on lovebiker.com ride honda.

Anonymous said...

Does Hero Honda realise that riding a "Hunk" would effectively make you a faggot?

Anonymous said...

A bike called Hunk, promoted by sweaty, muscular men in tights? Heave ho! The Hunk will probably do very well in Thailand, what say Rearset?

sanket kambli said...

looks better than CBZ-X...this should have been CBZ extreme..hunk(!@#$^%) hurray! to new bike buyers !! more confusion!!!

Anonymous said...

Jesus H Christ !
Is HHML so adamant upon digging its own grave just so that Honda doesn't get its chance to bury them alive ????
I mean - apart from gas shocks it has nothing better than the CBZ-X ( looks are subjective ). So why , oh why , even bother ? Not that it looks bad , but the name sounds like it's .....you know what . No LED lamp, no power hike , no digital meters , no monoshock.

I'd pick the Xtreme over this , and to anyone buying this bike - please at least remove the offending stickers on the tank.

Did anyone note that the rear shock upper mount is no longer covered by the rear fairings ?

Unknown said...

Hunk seems to carry more design cues from original CBZ than CBZ-X. Seat, side panels and to an extent the Tank flanks. Just hope that Hero Honda start to take the competition more seriously.

first_synn said...

LED tail lamps and Digi Speedos are "Delicate" elements? So the CBR 600 and the 'Blade are p*ssy bikes? Whodathunkit..!!!

Unca Munjal has resorted to what he's good at. reskinning an existing model to revive sagging sales. And just like the previous iterations, he has consulted with Durex's PR department to christen it.

I have lost all faith in this company. Is the Hunk(*hurl*) a worthy alternative to the P150/ the RTR? Sure it is. But sometime or the other, one has to stop playin' me-too and start innovating.

Screw the Hunk. On second thought, I take that back.

Anonymous said...

usin ur pics on 2007hunk.blogspot.com (credit given..)

HUNK? excuse me.. The RTR would do just fine for us

Anonymous said...

"What's in a name? That which we call a Hunk
By any other sticker would smell as sweaty."

this *had* to be said.

Anonymous said...

comments you are unlikely to read in ride reports and trip logs (we hope)

1. I stripped my hunk ...
2. I was riding my hunk on Monday 3. My hunk came ...
4. I love my hunk ...
5. The hunk was behind me and pushing hard ...
6. the hunk has a big

< Blech >

Anonymous said...

First_synn's post got me reminiscing. For me the high-point in HH's history was the CBZ (no, not the splendor). I didn't buy the bike myself, but it was probably the best (and only good) thing to ever come from HH. That high point was shattered years ago when a journo once asked Munjal why they didn't offer a starter as standard on the CBZ. His reply was that the market didn't indicate that buyers wanted that option. RRRight. We had people who would spend up to 8k on an aftermarket starter kit just so they dont have to fold up the friggin footrest before kick-starting the bike. And why did the cbz star, so near the end-of-lifespan of the cbz platform have a starter? Wel, now they had the ambition and the glamour to share the costs with. To these guys its plain and simple. Make money. And come up with shitty names. Even though their quality isn't up to the mark, Bajaj is doing a much better job overall.

Unknown said...

hehehe, i've been lurking around the site for sometime now... this hunk thing really takes the cake when it comes to bike names : ) i am seriously waiting for reviews in automags of this bike... am curious how the reviewers are going to call the bike, especially after reading that comment from anonymous...

erm, on second thoughts, maybe this bike is meant for the ladies?

Unknown said...

Complete this sentence: It's fun to stay at the _ _ _ _!

Anonymous said...

the only salvageable name change option for buyers is to 'Hulk'.. brisk trade ahead in 'L' decals, i think..

Anonymous said...

What to say.

Looks good. But might as well throw in the junk HH.

I hope they still act smart and re cristen this as the CBZ-Xtreme and stop production of the model which looks dud in front of this.

Er and while I am at it, I think CBZ-XY will be a good name considering they can actuallly give names like "Junk".

Anonymous said...

Is it just me or does 'hunk' the bike look a lot like the yamaha libero/g5?

Frankinsmoke said...

Hey.. have used pics on http://infinitecrap.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Hey guys,

Let's not make a fuss about the 'name' of a bike which could be promising in every aspect of biking. Although I feel that the Indian bike companies should stop spending their time on thinking bike names and just come up with some abbreviation of the technology used to produce it or something like that, and probably preceded by the company name. For eg. Honda CBR, Yamaha YBX, etc.

People looking for impressive names will soon run out of 'nouns'.

Nevertheless I still prefer the RTR.

Karthik.

Anonymous said...

Hunk? That should probably be Junk. So much for Hero Honda's funk. I think they're sunk. Anyone who rides this bike is a loser punk. What will Bajaj and TVS take out of Hero Honda now? A BIG, FAT CHUNK!!! ;-D

Yarkar said...

HH is going nowhere friends.
Dont know what is going on with them.
All these are only supporting the King of 150-Pulsar's stand.
Carry on Pulsarrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Arpan said...

They could have tag-lined it: "whom do you want to be tonight" !
I cant wait to see the TVC of "hunk" I am sure even the creative guys would be laughing about this :)
I dint get the performance oriented funda.. anyone who wants performance in similar price range would go for RTR...
no digital meter no LED tail lamp?? damm these just have to be present now,if the competition offers it and you dont then........

Nair said...

had lots of fun reading all comments.
great going guys.... HH officials should read the comments methinks.... maybe that'll put some sense into the guys who came up with the name.

But other than that, i think its one of HH's better designs in a long time.

looks like 17 inch tires front and back.... does someone have the gen on the footwear?

Anonymous said...

@Nair :
"HH officials should read the comments methinks.... maybe that'll put some sense into the guys who came up with the name"

After the Dawn of Joy upon them from having derived Pleasure out of their Ambitions and morphed into Glamourous Achievers , I doubt those suit-tied folk on their high horses ( er, Mercedes Benzes maybe ) , will ever take us lowly rider's thoughts into consideration .....

After all their bread and butter comes from folk who ride Dawns andJ Joys and love the sticker jobs ...that's who they will please .

Anonymous said...

Archeriostichaos this for you buddy i had one question are a bajaj freak.....why do you have to write such irresponsible idiotic comment about any good bike also have you taken the test ride of new HH bike if not then go for it...you will find out why i m saying so...i do agree with some of youyr previous comments but this is height how can you give false info to all the bike lover change your perception buddy
that will help all of us...

Mukesh said...

hero honda do not want to spend money for creating new bike they only use older junk. no digital meter no lighting like pulsur . local stands all things external charged extra. nothing new in this bike it looks like combination of petrol tank (older CBZ) side body (apache RTR) tyres ( new CBZ) back light (RTR) front (krizma). pls. create something new.

Unknown said...

HUNK is JUNK .......who come up wth this bike for 55000 rs

Rishikesh

Anonymous said...

Hunk is nice and powerful bike. Rearset has made good review of the bike. KEEP IT UP.

Hunk is much better that RTR and Pulsars !!
Last week I saw an RTR spitting white smoke at 70 kph !!! What should I say about Pulsar the worst handler which still sells !!!

Hero Honda is BAAP of Indian 2 Wheelers !!!!

Anonymous said...

I bought a new Hero Hondas HUNK in november'07 & really its an ausumn bike...i mean u r getting everything in 150cc bike....Its look is far better than Pulsar 150 & also has bigger in size than Apache 150...Now i think its seems to be the leading one in 150cc....

but i think they should have been improved the back side of the bike(back light).....

Anonymous said...

Quality and service of HH is much better than so called Bajajs and TVS.TVS and Bajaj never come near to HH in the aspects of refinement and quality.
In the aspect of naming the bike?HH sucks and sucks hard.

I was shocked to hear names like joy.But ambition followed. then came glamour.then came achiever.

A few good names they have are splendor and the best among them is CBZ.

I am riding a splendor for 10 years and i felt the quality myself.Now i wanna change my bike and i consider HH becaue of the belief in the brand.

HUNK? a great bike with a STUPID name. You ride it.its miles ahead of pulsar and the vibrating Apaches. I laughed at the name "HUNK" . but i testrode it and i was impressed.
Today i am writing this bcz i booked a black hunk just now.there is 10 days waiting period indeed to get it..

Anonymous said...

Ist_sin, First of all don't compare CBRs and HH commuter bikes. Even CBZX is a commuter but for affordable class only. Digital things on bikes is delicate, if you want to know go to Bajaj service station and find out number of complaints pouring in every now and then!

Julian, Boss, 2005-2006 Bajaj made a profit of Rs.9800/bike they sold, whereas HH made Rs.2700/bike. Bajaj is into profitering, HH atleast gives you good product and peace of mind!!

Anonymous said...

so guys...finally u hav seen how hunk has increased HH sales...and Bajaj sales are dipping day by day....

Anonymous said...

stop all this crap ppl. where is this takin all of us??? i don't see what's in a name!!! and for all the pulsar n rtr fans out der, ur bikes r in fact pretty decent in most aspects. but i bet u a million bucks ur bike'll not endure quite as well as the honda does!!!

Rifais said...

Hero honda maybe no.1 in bike sales. but worst in after sale services. I am facing the unavailablility of spare parts

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