Hero and Hunk: Wind of change

At the year 1984 no one knows that the joint venture which was signed between Hero and Japanese Honda Motors will be crowned as the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturers within 2001. In 1984 this joint venture was started with only 16 crore Rupees and Honda has a share of only 4 crore rupees. A point was mentioned in this joint venture which is, their products will only be sold in India. It could not be exported to any other countries in the world. Though this agreement was changed little bit and got permission to export in Bangladesh, Srilanka, Nepal and Colombia. Honda convey to this point that, they will make the decision which countries will be at the exporting list and if Hero wants to export to other countries then they have to use their own technology and resources either they can’t. It was very hard for Hero to follow this decision.

Joint venture is over. Honda decided not to give any other technologies to Hero but they can use those which are already given by them.

Almost five years gone Honda has made their market shares double at the largest motorcycle market of the earth. On the other hand Hero Moto Corp Ltd lost their 4.75% market share and at present it is 38.95%. Within two decades it is the lowest but individually it is at the top. Bajaj Auto Ltd which is operated from Pune has got a market share of 11.49%, they do not manufacture scooters. At last five years the market share of TVS motor Co. has increased and became 13.4%. Headquarters of TVS is placed at Chennai.

So it is seen that Honda made their market share double in this five years in India. So what? Hero moto corp is not setting silently. Their near challenge was to create a new bike with Hero engine and they did it. Hero Honda Moto corp has given their full concentration to their research and development sides.


They build an eye catching R&D (research and development) center at Jaipur and the land measurement of this center is 227 acre. Their chief engineer has a long time experience working at BMW. Most importantly they are making a new joint venture of 60% and 40% with the popular Italian engine maker Magneti Marelli. Mainly they are working for the new generation fualing sytem with Magneti Marelli.

Hero mot corp has a large number of models. Generally they works with those bikes which are bellow 250cc. we will try to discuss about the contracts, past and future history of these models. Today we will discuss about HUNK. HUNK is the most selling and popular motorcycle among all the series and models of Hero. At present days this model is bitten by FZS, Gixxer, Pulsar Etc models and new versions. Hero didn’t make any bigger changes at the outlooks and technology. To overcome this situation Hero redecorated HUNK and brings it at December 2015. Let us see the differences between the previous and New Version HUNK.

New look at a glance:

Mileage: 50 KM/L(Approx)
Engine: 149.2cc, single cylinder, air cool, engine power 14.4 Ps @ 8,500rpm, transmission 5-speed manual.
Color: Panther Black, Bold Brown, Force Silver, Ebony Grey, Blazing Red and Matte Black.
Suspension: Front: Telescopic shock absorber, rear: Rectangular Swing Arm with 5 step adjustable Inverted Gas Reservoir Suspension.
Braking system: 240mm Disc, 130mm Drum & 220mm optional Disc
Tyre size: Front – 80/100 x 18-47 P, Tubeless. Rear – 100 / 90 X 18-56 P, Tubeless
Dimension: (LXHXD) 2080mm x 765mm x 1095mm
Wheelbase: 1325mm
Ground Clearance: 163mm
Kerb Weight: 146kgs

Changes which you will see at the new hunk:
- Black paints at the body parts.
- Red sign of Hero at the crankcase.
- faring is bigger than the past.
- reverse front mudguards.
- New instrument cluster.
- Digital speedometer.

Principally this bike is design for the new generation riders. Seating position, long handle bar and mid set foot page will give you relaxed riding experience. Those who rides 50 kilometers regularly or loves long journeys Hero Hunk is made for them.

Mainly in India this bike has few competitors for example Suzuki Gixxer, Honda Unicorn 160, Bajaj Pulsar 150, Pulsar AS 150, Yamaha FZ and CB Hornet 160R. In real it is becoming difficult for Hero to compete because the more Hero thinks about Strong commuter bikes their opponents are thinking about sporty designs. So let’s see if Hero can give a bike as a gift at the sports segment.