Test ride and full review of New Hero MotoCorp Impulse

The Hero MotoCorp's new Impulse is the 1st bike to wear a Hero MotoCorp badge & the company has boldly gone ahead to kick start a new on-off road segment with the bike.

The motorcycle looks piece. It's long & black mudguard is like a beak, above which there is a high headlamp. Wide handlebars come with knuckle guards to keep mud far from your hands when riding in rough, while just behind, the fuel tank comes clad with the large scoops. As every go anywhere bike must be, the bike is tall with a high seat that purposefully pulls over the tank. The Impulse has come with a big LED tail light.

Powering the Impulse there is a 149.2cc, 4 stroke, air-cooled & single cylinder engine, which generates 13.2bhp of power & 1.36kgm of torque. The Impulse uses a 5-speed gearbox which shifts smoothly in the universal, 1-down, 4-up pattern. This engine offers a good low & mid range punch.

The Impulse is no poser. You get a massive 245mm ground clearance which comes armed with long stroke front suspension & a special high pressure gas charged rear damper. To improve the ground clearance, its exhaust loops around engine before exiting besides the pillion seat. The metal brake operating pedal is having a serrated finish which offer's a maximum grip in the muck. The rear sprocket have a solid plate which prevents the chain from slipping when riding through a rough terrain. The Impulse uses a high tensile steel which ensures that this chassis & swingarm are more stronger than the conventional bikes.

A highlight to the new Impulse is a sense of confidence that you can take on any terrain astride the motorcycle. A good upright riding position & wide handlebars which give the bike very comfortable seating position & make it much easy to steer. The double cradle frame is a robust & it aids handling. Capable suspension & meaty tyres tackle indian roads as well. On a smooth test track the Impulse feels sure footed, quickly changing the direction with a forgiving feel that soon gives the rider enough confidence to start sliding the motorcycle.

Off the road, a big 19 inches front rim easily clambers over the obstacles. The bike is effortlessly able to soak in a beating & its 17 inches rear rim with a 110/90 Ceat rear tyre offers a enough purchase.

The bike is undoubtedly well suited to our roads. It can tackle college trips or office commutes over the pathetic roads without batting the eyelid, just as easily doubling up as a leisure bike to chase dirt trails with. The Impulse is sure to hold much appeal for urban as well as rural bikers with its fun, hardy & a confident nature.

The company has priced the motorcycle well at Rs 66,800 (ex-showroom,New Delhi) & the bike enters Indian showrooms from last week of October onwards.

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price

Rs 66,800 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Engine

Fuel	Petrol
Type	149.cc single-cylinder, air cooled, four stroke
Power	13.2bhp at 7500rpm
Torque	1.36kgm at 5000rpm
Power to weight	98.5bhp per tonne

Transmission

Type	5-speed, 1 down, 4 up

Dimensions

Length	2100mm
Width	820mm
Height	1160mm
Wheel base	1360mm
Ground clearance	245mm

Chassis & Body

Weight	134kg
Wheels	wire spoke
Tyres	Front 19inch, rear 17inch

Suspension

Front	Telescopic forks
Rear	Monoshock

Performance

0-20	1.07
0-40	2.67
0-60	5.59
0-80	10.44
0-100	21.07

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