Hero HF Deluxe: Hero MotoCorp continues to further consolidate its leadership in the entry-level motorcycle segment with the launch of the HF Deluxe Green Flex – the revolutionary new version of the popular motorcycle brand that promises superior fuel efficiency and minimal impact on the environment, with its advanced fuel-injection technology.
This key launch strikes a balance between the need of the hour eco friendly and modern cheap transportation for the average lad who used to be the erstwhile Splendor customer without neglecting the reliability quotient the HF Deluxe has come to be known for, over the years.
Hero HF Deluxe: Revolutionary Technology- Flex-Fuel
The primary highlight of the HF Deluxe Green Flex is the option to run it on different ethanol-petrol combinations from the usual E10 (10% ethanol) to E85 (85% ethanol).
This is some extraordinary engineering in an entry level segment where cost dictates technical achievement.
Hero’s trail blazing fuel management system features sensors that keep a watch on the ethanol percentage in the tank and ensures that ignition timing, fuel delivery system and the air-fuel ratio delivers optimum performance.
This adaptive calibration strategy allows maximum performance in any fuel composition without the fear of compatibility issues or being less efficient when switching between various ethanol percentages.
The green credentials are significant too, with the high-ethanol variant emitting up to 30% less CO2 than regular petrol.
For eco-warrior riders, this is a marked decrease in carbon emissions without the high financial investment that comes with an electric-vehicle.
Optimal Efficiency with All Fuel Types
Although flex fuel frequently does so at the expense of fuel efficiency, Hero’s engineers have managed fantastic fuel economy regardless of the ethanol content used.
On standard E10 petrol, the HF Deluxe Green Flex is a standout performer, delivering as much as 70 km/l under standard test conditions and consolidating the brand’s equity in being the most fuel-efficient.
Perhaps more impressively, switching to E85’s lower energy density still keeps the bike at 60+ km/L of cruising range — a decrease in efficiency overshadowed by the price advantage of higher ethanol blends, in some areas.
As a result of this consistent fueling efficiency among fuel choices, owners are able to base fueling decisionson availability and price without having to sacrifice range.
The 97.2cc engine is still humble in its power output, a shade under 8 horsepower and 8.05Nm of torque, but the engine has been re-tuned to produce torque further down the rev-range, improving drive in the real-world between city lights.
It also has reworked ratios for the 4-speed gearbox in favor of better fuel mileage and performance.
Practical Design Evolution
It retains the identity that has made the HF Deluxe so popular in its unmistakable silhouette, and yet signifies its green credentials with subtle design highlights.
Subtle green highlights on the fuel tank and side panels give a hint of the performance potential of the model without the need for excessive decals and graphic treatment and are supplemented with discreet “Green Flex” badging to inform onlookers of the bike’s cutting-edge fuel versatility.
The nice upright riding position is intact, with a seat height that fits all sorts of riders. The seat gets enhanced cushioning and weather-resistant material for even more comfort and life span under different climate surroundings.
Footpeg distance has been slightly modified, offering a more relaxed knee angle on longer rides.
Some more practical touches have also been added, such as the new instrument cluster which now features an “eco” indicator to inform riders on how to operate at maximum efficiency and a digital fuel gauge for more accurate readings. Fuel tank capacity is still 9.5litres which provide the bike with good fuel range.
Ruggedized for Rural Use
Hero has also blessed the Green Flex variant of the HF Deluxe with some durability improvements, as the company realises many of its customers use the motorcycle as their daily, rural commuter on troublesome roads.
The suspension units now come with modified damping and preload settings offering superior impact absorption on rough roads while the frame gets extra strengthening in all critical areas.
The wheel rims are a stronger design with thicker spokes a that won’t flex on rough terrain and the tire compound has been changed to give better wear without giving away traction.
Even the small stuff, such as control cables and electrical connectors, get new materials that resist the elements more effectively.
Not only do these durability improvements help make the bike the easier to own, they also play a substantial role in determining the motorcycle’s overall lifecycle costs, an important consideration for owners who use the bike for daily transportation and earning a living.
Customer-Oriented Ownership Experience
Hero’s approach to disrupting technology is not limited to the initial purchase but covers the entire ownership experience.
Service is still 5,000 km intervals, and the simple design of the engine and driveline means anyone who services bikes in the remote bush will be able to look after the CRF250L, where dealers may be few and far between.
With parts sharing with the regular HF Deluxe, replacement parts are easily available at affordable prices, and the strong build and construction mean less need for unscheduled maintenance.
The warranty of the manufacturer itself goes on for two years which is a testament of how durable the Green Flex technology will be.
Even more impressively, Hero has been able to add all this tech while only slightly hiking the price from the HF Deluxe standard, which means that the Green Flex version remains well within reach of its core customers — the value-conscious buyer who wants the most utility for each rupee spent.
Hero HF Deluxe
The HF Deluxe Green Flex is Hero MotoCorp’s way of proving that saving the environment does not have to eat into your savings, nor does it need to be impractical.
By putting State-of-the-Art flex-fuel technology into their lowliest model, instead of only offering them in an option package on premium models, the maker offers sustainable transport to widest strata possible.
For the frugal commuter looking for lower cost of running and carbon footprint, the HF Deluxe Green Flex is an interesting proposition, that would not require you to break the bank or change your lifestyle.
This smart blend of economy, utility and the conscious effort towards the environment makes the HF Deluxe the one up in the entry level motorcycle category for the changing demands of the value-centric customer.
