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INDIA’S LARGEST MOTORCYCLE MAKER GIVES YOU GOOD REASON TO ACT ON IMPULSE

Hero MotoCorp, formerly Hero Honda, can be credited with single-handedly inventing the cure for insomnia with its neverending lineup of commuters. At least that’s what hardcore enthusiasts believe. However, it is an all too easily forgotten fact that it was Hero that launched the CBZ in 1999, ushering in an era of sporty motorcycles, paving the road for other manufacturers to follow. Now, with the new Impulse, Hero has again opened the gates to a whole new segment. And if first impressions are anything to go by, its rivals better be paying attention. Speaking of attention, you certainly get a lot of it on board the Impulse. Sure, Bajaj tried its hand at the dirt-bike game with the SX Enduro, but no one remembers that. However, it’s unlikely that anyone’s going to forget the Impulse any time soon – it really does stand out in a crowd. Which is not to say it sticks out like a sore thumb.

With its tall suspension, huge 19-inch front rim, 110-section rear tyre, high-level exhaust/front mudguard and slim bodywork, the Impulse has ‘purpose’ written all over it. For those who’ve always wanted to indulge in some Travis Pastrana posing, well, this is it. It also comes in a choice of bright colours to aid in the posing effort.

What’s more, even when people have stopped paying you attention and it’s time to go home, the Impulse doesn’t disappoint. Sure, you feel a bit shortchanged when you thumb the starter and you’re greeted with tame whirring instead of a throaty roar – erm, a dirt bike that’s quiet? Isn’t that missing the point a bit? And sure, that 150cc motor has seen more incarnations than Lord Vishnu, across various Honda motorcycles. But none of these issues dull the Impulse’s riding experience. Accept that it’s a conventional 150cc motor in a light package and you’ll never complain.

Yes, with a kerb weight of 134 kg and 13.02 bhp@7500 rpm, the Impulse isn’t exactly a slouch when the throttle is pinned. More importantly, it makes 13.4 Nm at a low 5000 rpm, which has the following implications: it wants to wheelie all
the time, it cheerfully clambers up hillsides and negotiates cut-andthrust traffic. Until around 6000 rpm, you never really feel a lack of power, though after that, it does begin to labour a bit. However, despite the fact that the motor feels like any other Hero 150, there’s no escaping the fact that at everyday speeds, the Impulse is a ton of fun.

Now if on your commute happens to have a few river beds, rocky terrain or worse, Mumbai roads, you must give the Impulse a try. The long-stroke suspension absorbs virtually every bump and pothole, leaving the rider as serene as a monk. The stock tyres work well for the most part, but I wouldn’t recommend tearing up your favourite set of twisties with them – they do, however, work brilliantly in proper dirt riding conditions.

The 240 mm front brake is another example of a dirt-biased setup; it feels soft and spongy, a necessary thing on the loose stuff, but not so great on tarmac. Overall, though, the Impulse is a fun package that makes use of its unique configuration to provide an as-yet unseen riding experience.

Yes, it’s not perfect – the headlamp is a bit Honda-generic, some of the metal and plastic bits lack finish and it needs around 20 bhp more… okay, so we’re getting greedy. However, it makes you want to do things that you normally wouldn’t – on this bike, you’re ever ready to have fun at the drop of a helmet. A bike named Impulse better do all this, eh?

Specifications:

Engine Type – Air cooled, 4- stroke single cylinder OHC , Self start
Maximum Power – 9.7 kW (13.2 Ps) @ 7500 rpm
Maximum Torque – 3.4 N-m @ 5000 rpm
Gear Box – 5 Speed constant mesh
Front suspension – Telescopic Hydraulic Shock Absorbers
Rear Suspension – Swing Arm with Mono Suspension with Nitrox
Cooling: – Type Air Cooling

Other Specifications:

Fuel Tank: 11.10 litres (Minimum) – – 2.6 Litre (Usable Reserve)
Weight – 119.00 kg
Ground Clearance – 245.00 mm
Wheel Type – Spoke
Wheel Size – 19 inch(F) – 17 inch(R) mm
Colors available – Tar Black, Deep Blue Sea, Terra Rossa, Grassland Green and Canyon Orange

Price – Rs. 78,300 approx.

TOPGEARINFO SAYS

HERO IMPULSE
Capable motorcycle, handles varying terrain well. Wish it were built to a singular purpose PRICE: NA
MAX SPEED:
105kph
PERFORMANCE:
0-60kph: 5.5secs TECH: 150cc single-cylinder, 13bhp, 13Nm * claimed