Hero MotoCorp has shocked everyone with the announcement of its new HX250R 250cc motorcycle (the name is subject to change). The company will launch the Hero HX250R by September 2014. The bike has been developed by Hero with the help of EBR and uses Hero’s own developed engine. The 249cc, single-cylinder, 4-valve engine uses liquid-cooling and fuel-injection to produce 31 BHP of power (at 9000 RPM) and 26 Nm of torque (81.0 mm x 48.5 mm is bore x stroke). It is coupled to a 6-speed transmission. The exhaust is placed under the seat and the bike weighs just 139 kgs.
The Hero HX250R uses telescopic forks at the front and a 5-step adjustable monoshock with shim valve damping at the rear (notice the trellis shaped swingarm). The front uses a three piston calliper with 300 mm disc while the rear uses a 200 mm disc (ByBre make). There is combined braking system with optional ABS. The front uses 110/80/17 tyre while the rear uses a 140/70/17 tyre (Pirelli Sport Demon make). The bike gets LED lights at the front and rear. The length, width and height of the Hero HX250R is 2085 mm, 735 mm and 1145 mm respectively. The wheelbase is 1370 mm while the ground clearance is 145 mm.
The Hero HX250R uses a geodesic tubular frame with the engine being used as a stress member. The front forks are 37 mm in size. Hero MotoCorp is expected to price this bike very aggressively and we can expect the HX250R to be priced around Rs. 1.5 lakhs. This will put it in direct competition against the soon to be launched Pulsar 200 SS which will be priced lower. However Hero has an advantage as its bike produces 31 BHP of power which is easily class leading in the 250cc segment. Expect 0-100 km/hr to take under 8 seconds while top speed will be in excess of 160 km/hr.
