[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=C4UusSgdIqc 540 375]
What’s in a name? Or that is what Hero MotoCorp thinks. From being called the Hero Honda CBZ to CBZ Xtreme and now Hero Xtreme, the 150cc offering from India’s largest motorcycle manufacturer has changed quite a few names. With Honda exiting the JV, Hero can now enter export markets and the company is betting big on the African market, where the Xtreme has been launched, re-badged as the Thriller. Maybe the Xtreme name wasn’t available, which led to this name change. None the less, CBZ was by far the best name for the bike.
In the above video advert, Hero MotoCorp explains the features of the Thriller, which is being called the meanest machine on the street. The motorcycle is identical to the Indian Xtreme in every way but carries the Thriller name on the body. The company highlights the features of the Thriller which includes a maintenance free battery, front and rear disc brakes, digital analogue meter console, LED tail light and split seats. Hero has kept the same tagline “Live off the edge” and asks prospective buyers to invite danger by riding the Thriller.
The Hero Thriller is powered by a 150cc single-cylinder engine which produces 14.4 PS of power at 8500 RPM and 12.80 Nm of torque at 6500 RPM. It is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The 2-wheeler giant has set up an assembly plant in Kenya, where it will locally assemble motorcycles using CKD kits imported from India. Hero MotoCorp is using the same tagline ‘Hum main hai Hero’ which has been translated to English for international markets, it is now “There’s a Hero in each of us”. Hero wants to reduce dependance on the Indian market as competition is getting intense with each passing day.