Hero Impulse Price & Review
After parting ways with Honda, the Impulse is the first product from the stable of Hero Motocorp. Impulse is the first of a new breed of motorcycles whose day has come. The bike is squarely aimed at the adventure/off road enthusiasts who have been waiting for such a bike since eons.
India is the second largest bike market in the world but what it lacks is having products which cater to diverse needs. There have been manufacturers who were bold enough to launch bikes which addressed different niches but they were not able to sustain the enthusiasm.
The off road market in India has huge promise what with underdeveloped, and in many places, non-existent roads. Way back in the 1990s, Bajaj launched the SX Enduro but it wasn’t a hit with the masses and after that no bike manufacturer has launched any product in this segment, that is until Hero Motocorp announced the Impulse this year.
The Hero Impulse is just what the doctored ordered. The bike gives the much needed boost to the two-wheeler scenario and it is sure to inspire other manufacturers to follow suit.
The Impulse is based on the Honda Bros, which is a 150cc motocross bike exclusively sold in Brazil. The Impulse is a bold departure from the bikes in the current portfolio of Hero. The majority of the models are in the 100cc to 125cc segment. The Impulse is fresh and practical offering, the need for which was felt as the two wheeler market in India evolves steadily.
The buyers now demand something different and the Impulse will address all there needs. This is a genuine go anywhere bike, which is as comfortable on road as it is off road.
Features Of Hero Impulse
Not only does the bike look the part, but it also delivers what it promises. The frame is semi-double cradle made out of high-strength steel to stand the rigors of off-roading. The chassis is well sorted and the feedback and feel you get from it is spot on in regard to ride quality.
This is very essential, especially when you are on an adventure trip off road. The 180mm front forks do a marvelous job in taking care of bumps and any imperfection the bike encounters and do not let it reach the rider. They go a long way in imparting excellent handling and ride quality.
The mono suspension at the rear is connected to the swing arm and has been set up for off road travel to help novices try their hand at cross country biking without fear. The front wheel is of 19” while a 17” does duty at the rear. These combine with 24.5cm of ground clearance to give you virtually go anywhere capability without any hiccups. The bike felt steady and inspired confidence when ridden on rough terrain and as a beginners off-roader, this bike is perfect to hone your skills on.
Riding the bike on proper roads brings out it’s other strengths. The steering is intuitive and changes directions in a jiffy when you command it to. The suspension is finely tuned so you don’t feel the road imperfections and always remain in firm control of the situation. The chassis is perfectly balanced and the ergonomics are spot on to make riding a pleasure.
The riding stance, with the straight handlebars and the long seat which merges with the fuel tank, is perfect for off road chores. The seat-foot peg-handlebar combination is perfect for a confident and comfortable ride the instant you sit on the seat. At first glance the 83.5cm saddle height will intimidate a short-statured rider but once you get on the saddle you will feel at home.
Design
That it is an off-road bike is pretty evident when you first set your eyes on the bike. The front has a attractive bikini fairing and in it resides the headlight. The front mudguard is raised while the fuel tank has beautifully curved panels which add style to the looks. The graphics on the bike are of two tone colours and smack of top-notch quality. The back light is LED and gives good illumination.
The exhaust exits just under the seat and this inspires the rider to take the bike through knee-deep water without worrying about the engine stalling because of ingestion of water through the exhaust. The weak link in the braking department is the 110mm rear brake. It would have been better if it was a disc brake. The front 240mm disc does a good job of bringing the bike to halt in respectable distance.
Powertrain
The Hero Impulse is powered by a 149.2cc engine, which also does duty on other Hero bikes which boast engine capacity of 150cc and also on Honda Unicorn. With a power output of 13.2BHP @ 7,500rpm, the bike feels slightly underpowered and there is a feeling that the chassis can handle more power.
The saving grace is the 13.4Nm of torque which is on offer at a low 5,000rpm and this endows the Impulse enough push to scale any obstacle which comes its way. The power delivery is smooth and technically the engine, like all Honda powertrains, is very sound and reliable. The transmission is five speed, with the shift pattern being one down and four up.
Performance & Fuel efficiency
The Hero Impulse is a reasonably quick bike with 0-60kmph time of 5.12 seconds. The Impulse also delivers impressive fuel efficiency with every liter being stretched for 47km.
Price Of Hero Impulse
The bike is on sale now and it can be bought for Rs 67,000.
Sum Up
The Hero Impulse is a bike which will launch a new segment. It is a versatile bike, which can be driven as easily on tarmac as off it. It will give the rider all the thrills he is seeking with bullet proof reliability.
