When the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer comes up with a new product, one has to sit up and take notice. More so when it has the sound backing of a Japanese legend, Honda’s R&D. After ruling the commuter segment with Splendor for aeons, Hero Honda made a dent in the executive segment (150cc and above) with its refurbished CBZ Extreme in 2006. Looking to consolidate its position in a fiercely competitive market, the company has come up with the Hunk. ExteriorMost bikes from the market leader are plain Janes, and till recently, Hero Honda was reluctant to offer features like alloy wheels and clip-on handle bars. So the Hunk comes as a breath of fresh air.At first glance, the bike looks attractive and distinctive, with its unusually bold and bright colours which gel well with its muscular looks. But it suffers from lack of originality: from its head-lamps to its muscular arches to the rear, everything arouses a sense of deja vu. For instance, the trapezoid head-lamps are straight from the CBZ Extreme, while the uncluttered rear and mudguards are reminiscent of the Apache RTR. Similarly, the added muscle on the fuel tank was first seen on Yamaha bikes from Libero to Gladiator.The three-pod console that constitutes the instrument panel is neatly designed. The use of chrome and fiery red background give it a sporty look. The seats are well positioned and offer enough cushioning to make you comfortable on long drives. It also gives the feel of a big bike. PerformanceThe Hunk’s performance figures are similar to those of the CBZ Extreme. The 149.2 cc engine belts out 14.2 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 12. Nm torque at 6,500 rpm. This makes it quick, but not the fastest bike in the 150cc segment (that coveted position stays with Apache RTR).The self-start button is touch sensitive and the engine starts with a delightfully low grunt—enough to masage any bike lover’s ego. The bike feels and looks heavy, which means you feel static till the time you shift to the third gear. The five-speed gearbox is not very convenient, a first for Hero Honda, whose bikes never have a problem with gearboxes. The one-down, four-up sequence makes it very difficult to locate the neutral position, making you slip between the first and second gears. The ride and handling are better than its competition and better than the CBZ and Pulsar twins. Between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm, with speeds of 60-90 kmph, the bike is completely in control and zips like an eagle. It’s only beyond 90 kmph that the Hunk struggles. Even after repeated attempts, we hit a laboured top speed of 102 kmph. Due to its slim tyres, it’s a little scary at high speeds even though the brakes don’t lose their responsiveness. last wordAfter the success of CBZ Extreme, the Hunk comes with loads of expectations. It promises to take the cause of sporty bikes a notch higher, but as the top speed highlights, it flatters to deceive. Hero Honda’s attempt at creating a sleek, mean Karizma sibling in the 150 cc segment is noble, but not entirely successful.Even with its lack of originality, the Hunk scores with overall styling and looks. It also has the Hero Honda frugality, returning a modest 47 kpl in city and 52 kpl on the highway. This is one bike where performance and styling should have been the USPs. Unfortunately, this is not the case. At Rs 55,000-Rs 57000, the Hunk makes for an attractive offering when compared to leaders like the Pulsar, but it’s the Apache that still retains the edge.
