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2011 Hero Honda Hunk Review

Hero Honda started the trend of performance bikes with the launch of the CBZ back in 1999. The bike that had a tag like “Super Sprint” performed like no other machine in the Indian motorcycle market. Not only was it fast, but the power delivery created a mad dash for the rider. This was something the Indians had never witnessed and the CBZ was an immediate success. Soon the 150cc motorcycle segment became the real performance segment. It was followed by the Pulsar 150 and 180 in 2001 and the CBZ, all with suddenly lost market share. Hero Honda could not leave the 150cc segment alone for long and had to come up with various models to counter the onslaught of its arch rival Bajaj Auto. The CBZ Xtreme, Achiever, and Hunk were all targeted as a response to the Pulsar. The new bikes helped Hero Honda capture a small percentage of the market.

One of the models was the Hunk, which now has a much-needed boost in terms of features. So how does it translate to the end user? The 2011 model features digital speedometer, something that has become the norm in the two-wheeled motorcycle segment in India. The speedometer looks quite similar to what is seen on the CB Unicorn Dazzler. The Hunk also features rear disc brakes that inspire rider confidence in emergency situations. All of these little features have given the Hunk much-needed hardware to maintain its position in the 150cc segment. This will also help the company to better compete with the Pulsar 150, Honda Unicorn and Yamaha Fazer.

The Hunk looks muscular with its aggressive tank and all-black treatment on the engine, exhaust, and various parts. The motor is the same Honda motor that runs in its sister bikes, including the Honda Unicorn and CB Dazzler. This means that the engine is refined and offers good mileage. Performance is good at low speeds, but once you tend to pick up speed, the Hunk will hit a respectable top speed of 70 mph.

The 2011 Hunk is priced at Rs 70,000/- (on the Mumbai highway). While this may not sound like great value for money, the performance, quality, and refinement justify the price. Add to that Hero Honda is famous for the high dealer network, quality parts and fast service. All this makes the motorcycle a worthy purchase. Indeed, the 2011 model has changed and for the better.

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