Archive for December, 2011

2011 Hero Honda Hunk Review

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

Hero Honda started the performance biking trend using the launch of the CBZ way back in 1999. The bike which in fact had a tag like ‘Super Sprint’ performed like no other machine in the Indian motorcyle market. It was not only fast but power delivery made a crazy rush for that rider. It was something Indians had never witnessed and also the CBZ was an instantaneous hit. Soon the 150cc motorcycle segment had become the real performance segment. It had been then the Pulsar 150 and 180 in 2001 and also the CBZ all a suddenly lost share of the market. Hero Honda could not leave the 150cc segment alone for very long coupled with to generate multiple models to counter attack arch rival Bajaj Auto. The CBZ Xtreme, Achiever and Hunk counseled me directed like a reaction to the Pulsar. The brand new bikes helped Hero honda capture half the normal commission of market.

Among the models was the Hunk, which has now got a much needed boost in relation to features. So how will it translate to the end user? This year’s model features digital speedometer, something which is become the norm within the two wheeler motorcycle segment in India. The speedometer looks quite similar to what’s seen around the CB Unicorn Dazzler. The Hunk also features Rear disc brakes which inspired confidence in the rider in emergency situations. All these small features have given the Hunk the required hardware to maintain its position in the 150cc segment. This can also assist the company to better contend with the Pulsar 150, Honda Unicorn and Yamaha Fazer.

The Hunk looks muscular using its aggressive tank and an all black treatment to the engine, tail pipe as well as other parts. The engine is identical Honda motor which does duty in its sibling bikes including the Honda Unicorn and CB Dazzler. This means the engine is refined and returns good mileage. Performance is good at low speeds but when you often gather speed, the Hunk is going to do a respectable 115 kilometer per hour top speed.

The 2011 Hunk costs Rs. 70,000/- (on road Mumbai). While this may not appear to be extremely affordability, the performance, quality and refinement justify the price tag. Increase that Hero Honda is famous for our prime network of dealers, quality spares and quick service. All this makes the motorcycle a worthy buy. This year’s model has indeed changed and for the better.

Custom Motorcycle Fan

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

In the turn of the new millennium a new obsession invaded everyday American culture. This fad was custom bike building. Shows for example American Chopper and Monster garage became huge hits and Jesse James (the custom bike builder, not the outlaw) and Paul Teutul Senior became household names. Everyone was now a custom motorcycle fan and dreamed of riding around on the modified Harley which was customized by some top name designer. I, like the remaining country was embroiled in Chopper mania.

Custom motorcycle fans have been in existence considerably longer than simply not too long ago however, and can without doubt still be around once the fad finally disappears in the collective public consciousness altogether.

The thought of building custom bikes began after world war two once the veterans returned and located the large, clunky motorcycles released through the Harley Davidson and Indian companies unsatisfying. They began to “chop” off the fenders and take away anything deemed unnecessary in order to make the bike faster and much more streamlined. Soon thereafter these customized choppers started to become popular.

The movie, Easy Rider, thrust the thought of the customized chopper onto the public consciousness and the custom motorcycle group of followers began to grow. Soon, designers started to take over the domain of the backyard mechanic turning the art of motorcycle customization right into a big business. Custom motorcycle fans no longer needed to chop up and individualize their very own bikes. They might instead, go to a top name designer and obtain a distinctive bike built to their specifications.

Then, cable television caught on to this growing trend and launched a number of very popular television shows that featured people building these customized bikes. These shows initiated a bandwagon effect and soon everyone in Hollywood became a custom bike enthusiast over night. Talk shows were booked and motorcycles rallies began to become large family oriented events.

But, who’re the true custom motorcycle fans? The television shows soon got old and people began tuning out. Fashion followers quite bugging Jesse James for their own Custom bike and also the large number of custom chop shops that had opened overnight to profit from the latest craze soon began closing. Custom motorcycle fans were no more found on every street corner, but they exist still. Since the fad has past, true fans of the custom motorcycle trend are now able to enjoy their obsession in peace. Bike Rallies are still being held across the country and demo shows featuring the most recent bikes built through the industry’s top designers still draw large numbers of crowds. Sure, the Teutuls aren’t riding their latest creations into football stadiums towards the cheers of a large number of fans, but they’re still building bikes.