Hero HF Deluxe : In the sheer madness that is the Indian commuter motorcycle segment, there’s one name that’s always been on top of the slickest motorcycles around: the Hero HF Deluxe.
Due to its all around experience (satisfactory mileage, affordable initial cost, reliability) it soon became a common sight on our roads as lakhs of Indian riders used it as an every day ride.
Be it rural roads, city traffic or small town journeys, the HF Deluxe is well suited to all that with the minimal fuss that Hero MotoCorp is known to be associated with.
Made to be a hassle-free and easy to handle motorcycle, the HF Deluxe is ideal for those who seek an affordable yet robust motorcycle that does not skimp on reliability or comfort.
With periodic updates and BS6 compliance, the HF Deluxe stays up to date but still remains true to its values.
Simple Yet Functional Design
The design of the Hero HF Deluxe is via that old school formula of simplicity with function-first approach.
It doesn’t attempt to wow with faddy body panels or aggressive styling. However, it offers a clean, simple appearance well befitting for it’s intended use.
An angular looking headlamp, body painted mirrors, minimalist graphics and utility grab rail make it look clean and attractive.
Other variants – namely the i3S and kick/self-start models, they have slightly different decals and color options for added distinction.
There are also alloy wheels and a muscular-looking fuel-tank that provides the motorcycle with a masculine stance while having a lightweight body.
Engine and Performance
Power on the Hero HF Deluxe comes from a 97.2cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine tuned to make 8.02 PS of power alongside 8.05 Nm of peak torque.
It’s true, this engine seems puny on paper, but over the years it’s been tuned so that it offers the sweet spot — between power and fuel mileage.
Equipped with Hero’s XSens technology and programmed fuel injection the engine meets BS6 norms and also offers better throttle response, combustion and fuel economy.
The result? A city brat that zips around nimbly and comfortably at 60-70 km/h.
The HF Deluxe isn’t mean for high-speed stints or for doing highway blasts. But for getting around cities, tooling around the countryside, or running errands, it more than does the job.
The 4-speed constant mesh gearbox is smooth and clutch action is light—perfect for city riding.
Mileage and Fuel Efficiency
Mileage is the HF Deluxe’s biggest selling point, and it’s what has made this motorcycle such a hit. The HF Deluxe’s real world fuel efficiency would be 60 to 70 km/l, depending upon your riding style and road conditions.
With the increasing cost of fuel, this kind of efficiency can easily pay off for the rider over time.
The bike also has Hero’s i3S start-stop system in certain variants which, as the name suggests, automatically turns the engine off when it’s idling and turns it back on when you pressed the clutch, to further enhance mileage, specially in crowded cities.
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Ride Comfort and Handling
The Hero HF Deluxe is definitely a fuss-free and easy motorcycle to ride. Upright riding posture and comfortable long seats with wide handles, this bike can accommodate daily usage.
The motorcycle and pillion are comfortable throughout the day, even on long rides.
The front gets telescopic forks while the rear features twin shock absorbers for suspension duties.
They are tuned for comfort, too, and while they’re not for hard-core off-roading, they soak up small potholes and undulations just fine.
The 165 mm ground clearance is also good enough to sail over speed breakers and bad patches of road without hitting hard underbelly.
Praised for being well-balanced and easy to handle, it appears by no means unwieldy, offering an accessibly low weight of approximately 112 kg, enough for a novices or even an elder rider to manage.
Brakes and Tyres
Braking is taken care of by drum brakes at both ends, which come with Integrated Braking System (IBS).
The few downsides are that it doesn’t feature disc brakes, not even in the top of the line model, yet the brakes work good and are enough for the bike at this segment.
They’re wrapped in tubeless tyres, offering decent side grip and taking some of the worry out of punctures.
The profile of the tire fits c28230 both to paved and semi-paved rural roads.
Features and Practicality
The HF Deluxe although a budget motorcycle has decent practicality features from Hero:
Tubeless tyres
certain trims i3S start-stop system
Aluminum rims standard on most models
Analog display fuel gauge, speedometer and indicator lights
Maintenance-free battery
It lacks a digital display or LED lighting, but at its price point and aimed audience, all the basics are covered nicely.
Pros of Hero HF Deluxe
Awesome mileage – 60+ km/l in practical usage
Low cost of maintenance and spare parts capturing the chart on price.
Dependable and Sophisticated XSens Fuel Injection Engine
Smooth on the road with decent seat ergonomics
Extensive service network in both cities and towns
And both these are further available on variants with self-start and i3s tech for that added convenience
Cons of Hero HF Deluxe
No optional disc brakes, not even in the top-of-the-line versions
Very plain instrument cluster, no digital readouts
Unsuited for high speed ride or touring
Styling is a little old-school, won’t be to everyone’s taste parties.
No fancy LED lights or killer modern features
Hero HF Deluxe: Final Verdict
And the Hero HF Deluxe is not trying to be flashy or sporty — it does what it does best: Give a durable, affordable, no-frills ride to the typical Indian motorcycle buyer.
So if you’re part of the college-going, daily wage-earning or even backup two-wheeler for the very urban chores sort of crowd, the HF Deluxe makes sense.
That’s not an ordinary motorcycle – that is a Hero Splendor, the true blue blood of the Indian commuter space when it comes to commuting”
It might not get the heart of the enthusiast beating, but for those with a bean-counter for a heart, it’s just about the most sensible two-wheeled purchase you can make.