A first for an Indian manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp has just unveiled the RNT motorcycle (it’s a mix of a scooter and a step-through) which is a diesel engine bike. The Hero RNT is still in concept stage and will be launched in 2015. It uses a 4-stroke, liquid-cooled 150cc engine with direct injection diesel technology (a turbocharger is an option). The 150cc engine produces 13.5 BHP of power at 4000 RPM and a mammoth 35 Nm of torque at 1600 RPM, coupled to a 6-speed gearbox. This bike is clearly an off-road motorcycle which can do all rugged activities with utmost ease.
The Hero RNT uses 37 mm telescopic front forks and adjustable hydraulic shock absorber at the rear. The bike gets 300 mm multi-piston rotor at the front and 220 mm disc with a single piston calliper at the rear. It can hold 6.0-litres of diesel when empty and the ground clearance is 168 mm. The Hero RNT sprints from 0 to 60 km/hr in 5 seconds and has a top speed of 70 km/hr. It is 2029 mm long, 739 mm wide and has a height of 1077 mm. The weight of the Hero RNT is just 136 kgs which is light considering it’s a diesel bike.
Remember our last year’s April fool’s joke where we wrote about a 2-wheel drive bike. Well that seems to have seen the light as the Hero RNT gets an option of a electric hub motor with an electric battery pack which channels up to 1.34 BHP of power to the front wheels, making it a hybrid machine. This is operated using a secondary throttle and can work independently or in conjunction with the chain drive. This bike has what it takes to replace tractors in the farms! You can also opt for a stationary generator which provides 1500 W of continuos electric power (6.5 A at 230 V), being powered from the RNT’s diesel mill.
The secondary LED headlight is removable and comes with an internal lithium-ion battery. The Hero RnT has wide flat loading surfaces along with strap bars and multi-use folding front, side and rear racks. The bike features front mounted LED main headlights which ensures visibility when the the front rack is loaded. The motorcycles gets a comfortable seat and spacious footboards. Hero describes the design of the RNT as ‘rugged, utilitarian and practical’.
