Hero HF Deluxe : For those looking for a splendid combination of mileage and trust, Hero HF Deluxe stands for the ideal choice among the Indian bikes.
This 100cc commuter motorcycle has made a mark for itself by offering brilliant mileage figures that makes it the most affordable option for point A to B transportation.
Fuel Efficiency Excellence
The HF Deluxe shines when it comes to fuel efficiency, it returns a real world fuel efficiency of 70-80 kmpl without breaking a sweat and with a few riders even garnering incidentally surplus mileage figures with ease driving.
Hero’s 97.2cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine is what gives you a special mileage; this engine churns 8.02 bhp at 8000 rpm along with a peak torque of 8.05 Nm at 6000 rpm.
The engine uses Hero’s XSens technology – with programmed fuel injection on i3S variant and a well-calibrated carburetor – for better fueling on different riding scenarios.
The bike is also a light body, with a dry mass of only 112 kg, which also aids in its fuel economy.
The wind cheating aerodynamics aid all forms of urban riding, and the carefully selected gear ratios ensure useful power and torque at all organisational speeds in city riding.
Design and Comfort
The HF Deluxe has minimal styling but is practical that will attract the utilitarian buyer. Plenty of space for rider and pillon on the cushy single-piece seat while traversing the city.
The sitting posture is upright so you don’t get tired even on long commute, in fact suitable for daily office-goers.
With the large 9.6 litre fuel capacity and outstanding fuel consumption, it has a great cruising range of over 700 kilometers between refills.
The motorcycle gets simple but effective suspension setup-telescopic hydraulic in the front and dual spring hydraulic in the back, and they provide good enough ride for regular Indian road conditions.
18” wheels with tube-type tires provide traction and longevity.
Technology and Features
Hero sells the HF Deluxe in several versions, including the i3S one that incorporates the idle stop-start system for greater fuel savings which kills the engine at a traffic stop and automatically restart it, smartly with a press of the clutch.
The dash, fairly rudimentary, has your basic squirt indicators, speedo and fuel gage.
Recent models are even equipped with a USB mobile charging port, a convenient feature for the modern commuter.
The electric start version makes things a little more convenient, but a kick start is still on the menu across the range for old school reliability.
Performance and Handling
Although the HF Deluxe isn’t designed to be a performer, it certainly makes for an ideal city commuter and is capable of occasional highway stints.
TGE’s Other Issue The 4-speed transmission delivers seamless shifts, but the highway could definitely benefit from a 5-speed box.
The bike has a top speed of about 85-90 kmph which is decent enough for everyday commuting.
Braking is taken cared of by 130mm drum brakes at both ends and an optional 240mm front disc disc in some of its variants.
Braking, though sufficient enough for the bike’s capabilities, could be a tad feeble for emergencies or when it’s a bit wet.
Maintenance and Reliability
Hero has service network spread out in India which makes it easy to maintain and find spares. The basic engine layout allows most mechanics to work on it, so maintenance costs are low.
The engine is time tested and offers solid reliability so you can relax and enjoy your ride.
Pros:
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Best in class mileage (70-80 kmpl)
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Priced affordably to begin at around ₹60,000-70,000
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Low maintenance costs
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Extensive service network
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Easy to ride the city
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i3S technology for best in class fuel saving
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USB charging port
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Proven engine reliability
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Light weight and easy to use
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Good resale value
Cons:
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Dated design and stripped-down features
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Only 4-speed gearbox
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Drum brakes on base variant
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Not much on power for highway passing
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Basic suspension setup
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Minimal storage options
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Vibrations at higher speeds
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Basic instrument cluster
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Basic versions won’t come with alloy wheels
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Limited color options
Hero HF Deluxe Verdict
With high mileage features, the Hero HF Deluxe is the value-for-money bike that suits your budget.
Sure, it’s not fancy and it’s not particularly fast, either, but it does the job it was designed to do, which is to be an affordable, reliable form of transportation.
Add value-for-money fuel savings apart for daily commuters who cover a lot of KM’s, and it becomes a shandar (excellent) buy in its segment.