The strengths of Bulls, also the Hunks lie in its good looks, or muscles as Hero Honda would love to put it.
Hero Honda hunk, is a premium 150cc bike launched in India during October 2007. Initially it came with a kick start and self start option. The Black bull advertisement gave a greater hype about the bike. Hero Honda though has the CBZ-Xtreme, has launched Hunk to give another option to redifine the looks of the same well-proven 150 cc engine of Honda. Lets check out the muscular Hunk now.
Muscular heavy weight champion look is the main theme of Hunk, in fact, it goes extreme in styling department. Multi-reflector headlamp is very much aerodynamic and the silvery winkers stick out prominently. The black alloy wheels suspended by the golden front forks is a nice pair. The big round screws on both sides of the visor covers adds macho looks. The handles, handlebar and the switches are all Honda Unicorn replicas with cone shaped handle protectors on either arms end. The instrument cluster has analog chrome ringed tri-pod with the center red theme speedometer facing you aggressively giving a sporty mood and then tachometer on the left and fuel guage on the right. The trip reset button and the high beam neutral lights are a the bottom of the tripod. Ignition key slot is neatly placed at the centre of the console. The large shrouded tank is that shows the HUNK character,and knee recess is also good. The two lavishly large air scoops sitting at its sides, bearing a stylish Hunk over it, definitely is sexy for this bike. Hero Honda could have avoided the screws sticking out here, prominently stealing a few appeals. The tank lid is blackened and the lid rims have circular windings, quite new for this segment bikes. The capacity of tank is 12.4 liters and the usable reserve goes to 2.2 liters. Stylish tank and air scoops combination is the main head turner of Hunk. People who are tired seeing the same bulgy tanks of Unicorn, Xtreme and Pulsar will be afresh by gazing Hunks renovative sculpture.
The all black theme starting from the handleweights, alloy wheels, silencer, and the engine having a special red colored spark plug in wire head is another new style. The brake lever is all silver and a sporty heel shift gear lever is cute for this macho motorbike. Hunk is the only 150cc bike in India, that really has a back support for the rider. The seat has a cut curve exactly at the middle, making the rider seat like a moon arch and the pillion one is flat narrowing towards the rear end. Hunk has an option to dismantle the seat and use the storage box for keeping tools, first aid and also bike documents. This is very useful for youths as you need not require a tank cover bag for the necessary documents. the rear golden suspension is a 5 step adjustable gas filled system. Hero Honda has coined out a new term called GRS with the new Hunk 150cc. GRS stands for Gas Reservoir Suspension as agains the Pulsars nitrox shocks. The simple commuterish grab rail ends above the tail lamp. In an attempt to add a sporty look, Hero Honda made rear cowl design ideas from Hondas powerful bikes, and sticks out prominently, deepening the red lamp. LED tail lamps, the current trend as in Apache, Pulsar, is missing in Hunk. The tuffup tube of rear tyres, like in Unicorn, could save time during punctures. The black color Hunk is really a bull in looks.
Hero Honda Hunks petrol heart is a straight pull(neither bored nor stroked) as the X-Tremes 4 stroke 150cc engine. Hunks 150cc engine gushes out 14.4PS at 8500rpm of power and achieves a maximm torque of 12.8Nm@6500 rpm. Hunks 150cc engine is mated with a conventional 5speed (1-down 4-up pattern) gearbox. The machine air mixture is through CV carburettor. Similar to the TVS CVTi engine, the Hunks 149.2cc ATFT (Advanced Tumble Flow Induction Technology) engine deploys tumble induction for efficient burning and thereby delivers a balance of fuel efficiency and power, which is efficient with proper placement carburetor setting. While, the silencers shapes make the exhaust sound racy, its inspiring for a sporty bike. Hondas quality proven 150cc engine, continues for Hunk, making it more reliable over years of use. On the flip side, the engines rough edges are obvious at higher revs.
Ever since, Pulsar made its way into Indian bikers arena, its quite tough to match its handling department. HeroHonda has desperately tried it in the CBZ-Xtreme, and now in the Hunk. In fact, Hunk is better among the two, thanks to the seat shape and the handlebar angles. The macho aggressive tank look grabs your attention immediately once you hop on the bike. Toe shifting is peppy and quicker in Hunk facilitating light short throws for gears. The tweaked Unicorn engine is more responsive and revvy. The pickup and manuverability are in par with CBZ-Xtreme. The difference is extra weight, giving more solid feel over the road. Hunk pulls considrabl even at lower rpm allowing lazy downshifting riders, but to really wake up the engine, you got to rev for every gear more; since the peak power is northened at 8500 rpm. The appropriate wheelbase of 1325m makes this bike, footsure at high speeds.With a top speed of above 110 kmph, vibrations creep in after 6000 rpms and vehement after crossing the 8500 rpm. Hunk has good straight line stability and flicking into succesive corners is an absolute sensation. Hunks rubbers stop impressively. Pillion riding is also a breeze in
Hunk Mileage. The engines capacity to strongly accelerate from 3000 to 7000 rpm facilitates in city driving conditions. Pillion can also enjoy a commanding upfront view, thanks to the low cut rider seat. At night, Hunk is just like Xtreme and Unicorn, in terms of road illuminations and instrument lightening. Lack of digital consoles with attractive themes that Pulsars provide, is a big set back for Hero Honda, who are capable of adding it in no time.
Thinks have changed after the entry of Pulsar and Apaches, and the 150cc segment buyers are expecting not just redefined refined products, but with loads of newbies and innovation. Hero Hondas attempt to revive its 150cc charts with Hunk shall surely give a decent boost, for Hunk is a real macho, standing tall, with its killer shapes and competitive pricing. Hunk, returning same fuel economy like the Xtreme is sure to attract Indian youths, provided a few missing goodies are ignored. Ready to drive the Bull?
