Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, reiterates its commitment to be at the forefront of the electric revolution, with the commencement of construction of the company’s state-of-the-art two wheeler EV manufacturing facility, at Hi-Tech Park Industrial Area, at Village Dhanansu, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
The company has introduced the Hero HF Deluxe Flex which joins the company’s commuter motorcycle line-up with the capability to run on 100 per cent ethanol or ethanol-blended petrol.
In doing so, it became the country’s first mass-market producer to launch the flex-fuel technology in motorcycles and a significant improvement in the move towards cost-effective, environment-friendly mobility.
The HF Deluxe has been a bestseller in the entry-segment for years, due to its easy-on-the-pocket fuel efficiency, low maintenance cost and affordable pricing. Today, with the presence of flex-fuel system, the motorcycle will be the most pocket friendly, environment-friendly motorcycle for everyone.
But once more, simple design and economy nature of this bike have once again proved it to be the game-changer in budget bike section. Lets have a closer look to know more about new Hero HF Deluxe Flex.
Modern Yet Familiar Design
On first look, the HF Deluxe Flex does not stray too far from the familiar and functional design that riders have been appreciating through the years. The motorcycle comes with a robust build-quality and flowing, nice lines: great for everyday riding. But Hero has made some minor tweaks to this new avatar to tell it apart from the regular model.
The bike sports new decals and graphics, as well as ‘Flex Fuel’ badging on the fuel tank. It is offered in eye-catching dual-tone colors to add vibrancy to the appearance of the Landline phone.
However, the ergonomic seat, its strong construction and the comfortable riding position have been kept the same but not only have these characteristics been preserved but also those who are transitioning from older models would feel right at home.
The look retains utility, but subtle design refinements and some branding helps the Flex model look a little more special without getting in your face.
Flex-Fuel Technology
Its biggest feature however, is a flex-fuel engine that can accept both petrol and E20 E85 fuel. Riders can now refuel on any street corner with regular petrol or ethanol-mixed petrol, if available and most cost-effective in their area.
Ethanol is a bio-fuel that can be produced from sugarcane, maize, or other organic feedstocks. It emits less carbon than petrol, and helps develop environmentally friendly fuel options.
The HF Deluxe Flex can run on both at the flick of a switch, with engine components modified to receive the mix of fuel provided, with fuel lines, injectors, sensors and engine ECU’s calibrated to recognise the blend and modify settings accordingly.
The running cost is not expensive for every day commuters and morever it does a little thing but plays an important for the country’s dependence on Fossil fuels. With the Indian government raking up the heat on cleaner mobility solutions, bikes like the HF Deluxe Flex will be key in reaching those environmental goals.
Engine and Performance
The HF Deluxe Flex is equipped with the same time tested 97.2cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine which has been perfected over the years. For the flex-fuel version, the engine has been retuned with new components, but only to run ethanol-powered fuels effectively.
This engine produces a maximum power of 7.9 bhp and a peak torque of 8.05 Nm which is enough to be used reflex daily in city, short highway and rural road commuting. With a slick 4-speed constant mesh gearbox and Hero’s tested and proven two-wheeler clutch, riding the HF Dawn is easy, and aids in ensuring that even the beginner biker isn’t left gasping.
Hero has also asserted that the engine performance does not drop, even if the bike is using pure petrol or a high ethanol mix. And there’s zero compromise on pickup, ride quality, or fuel efficiency no matter which fuel you choose.
Excellent Mileage and Cost Savings
The HF Deluxe Flex does carry forward Hero’s success with excellent mileage. The bike gives a mileage of around 70-75 KMPL due to its optimized engine and fuel efficient map which can vary depending upon the blend of fuel and riding conditions.
To make this even more attractive, in most places ethanol blended fuels are usually cheaper than regular petrol. In the long run, this could make the average person who commutes a long distance daily save a fortune. Hero have concentrated on offering a cost effective and more importantly a green solution.
What’s more, the overall maintenance cost is negligible, something which has always been a hit amongst price-sensitive bikers, as is the case with HF Deluxe as well.
Comfortable and Practical Ride Experience
Hero hasn’t tinkered with the riding posture of the HF Deluxe Flex at any level. It still has an upright handlebar, long seat and a soft sprung suspension that’s perfect for daily commuting on city streets and bumpy tracks.
Its telescopic front forks and twin rear shock absorbers provide excellent comfort while riding endowing with added comfort on the pillion-end or with light loads. Its 165mm ground clearance helps the HF Deluxe Flex in managing gutters and potholes effortlessly.
The analog speedometer, kick or electric start choices and side-stand indicator make the motorcycle practical. It features drum brakes on the front and rear wheels and a lightweight body that makes for easy handling especially for an older rider or someone new to motorbiking.
Budget-Friendly Yet Feature-Rich
But one of the bigger drivers in this space is price. Hero has done a good job of keeping the HF Deluxe Flex competitively priced, which means it is still accessible to the same consumers who made the standard HF Deluxe such a success. And, it’s expected to begin from somewhere close to ₹65,000–₹70,000, which is going to make it one of the cheapest flex-fuel motorcycles in the country.
Although the tech is new, Hero still hasn’t forgotten its old value-for-money mantra. Eco-friendly fuel support, enhanced fuel efficiency and contemporary graphics are some of the reasons why the HF Deluxe Flex is a wise choice for the common Indian rider.
The cost of running, parts durability and service network makes it a hassle free product family, delivery partner, student and office goers.
Conclusion
With the introduction of the Hero HF Deluxe New Model, Hero MotoCorp has returned with a bang in the commuter segment. It’s simple to grasp why the bike makes so much sense for the average Indian rider at the end of the day reliability, fuel efficiency, comfort and the least fuss about owning the machine to just name a few, let alone the green fuel compatibility.
With India’s course set for a green future, the HF Deluxe Flex is a noseitur, environment friendly and pocket friendly option. Instead it gives us substantial progress without jacking up the cost, which is what really makes it a bike of the future.
If you’re in the market for reliable commuter that not only saves you on fuel expenses, but also makes the air we breathe a little cleaner, then the Hero HF Deluxe Flex is the bike you’ve been waiting for.
