Hero MotoCorp’s updated BS6 HF Deluxe is available in two kick-start formats: spoke wheel and alloy wheel
Hero MotoCorp, the largest two-wheeler manufacturer in the world, has a portfolio dominated by volume-pulling commuter motorcycles. The company consistently tops monthly sales charts while products such as the Hero Splendor and HF Deluxe occasionally become the highest-selling two-wheeler in the entire Indian automotive market. Either model loses only to Honda Motorcycle India’s popular petrol-CVT scooter, Activa.
Hero MotoCorp has now introduced a more affordable ‘kick-start’ variant of its entry-level HF Deluxe. It is available in two formats: spoke wheel and alloy wheel. Ex-showroom prices start at Rs 46,800 and Rs 47,800, respectively. In comparison, the higher HF Deluxe ‘self-start’ variant was introduced back in January at Rs 55,925.
The Indian automotive industry has shifted to BS6 emission norms and major automakers are busy introducing products compliant to the new regulations. In the two-wheeler segment, the Hero HF Deluxe was the first 100cc motorcycle in the country to attain BS6 specifications. Just ahead of the deadline to stop BS4 sales, Hero MotoCorp had announced discounts benefits of up to Rs 10,000 for the HF Deluxe BS4 and Splendor Plus BS4. Without the cut, ex-showroom prices stood at Rs 39,900 and Rs 51,790, respectively.
Across the HF Deluxe range, the power plant remains the same 97.2cc air-cooled single-cylinder motor good for almost 8bhp and 8Nm of torque. Compared to its BS4 counterpart, the revised engine boasts of an FI system that not only helps cut down emissions but also promises 9 per cent better fuel economy. The process has resulted in a marginal drop in output even though it would not make any noticeable difference in real-world performance.
Several affordable two-wheelers (commuter motorcycles as well as scooters) feature fuel injection (FI) in the BS6 era. FI systems help achieve better control of fueling or air-fuel mixing. Besides offering varied performance depending on its programming, FI systems adjust the air-fuel supply that goes into the engine in tricky environments. For instance, a carburetted vehicle will generally struggle to breathe at high altitudes as the air is much thinner. Fuel-injected vehicles will not have such an issue. However, they are much more expensive and complicated to work on.
As the new HF Deluxe kick-start variant is significantly more affordable than its higher self-start sibling, Hero MotoCorp might be able to witness higher sales figures. Bajaj Auto’s CT 100, priced at roughly Rs 41,000, is the closest rival of the Hero HF Deluxe.
