Review of Hero Honda Hunk

Hero Honda has come up with a new bike in the 150cc called ‘Hunk’ (What a name!!).The company has launched two varieties of the bike in the same name ‘Hunk’ ,one is kick start and the other is a self start bike .The two types of models differ in their market costs. The kick start costs Rs 2000 less than the self start Hunk of Hero Honda. Hero Honda has 5 models in the 150 cc range and it includes Hunk, Karizma, CBZ Extrem and. Achiever.

The market of bikes has been dominated by Pulsar but Hero Honda is trying to get into the competition with the introduction of its new bike in the market in the range of 150cc.

Sporty Look of the Bike

The look of the bike is definitely a upright one having a brawny styling. The bike is available in the market in four colors black, blue, red and silver. The cover of air filter and battery are of black and silver colors and the tail extension has a dual black color painted on it.


The engine is also not the typical black in color but it has got silver and gray colors on it. The front forks and gas filled rear have copper and gray colors. The bike has got a big tank and black alloy wheels. The bike is like Pulsar 180 DTSi in the way it has come up with the all black fashion.

Engine, Power, Torque

On comparing Hunk to CBZ Xtreme, the engine specifications, the power and torque are not as such modified in the new bike but many other few features have been added to make it perform and look better.

The air cooled, 4 stroke and single cylinder, 150cc engine of Hunk is powered with 14.4Ps @ 8500rpm and has got 12.80 Nm @ 6500 RPM of torque. The displacement of the bike is 149.2 cc. The front suspension is telescopic and rear suspension is a rectangular swingram. A new GRS, 5 step Gas Reservoir Suspension (GRS) is attached to the bike at the rear and 5 spokes are also colored in black. The capacity of tank is 12.4 liters and the usable reserve goes to 2.2 liters.

Comfort and Ride

The riding position in Hunk is very comfortable and it is smooth up to 6000rpm.The professional design in the looks of the new bike Hunk is its selling point as compared to CBZ Xtreme. The Goiter shape turn indicator in CBZ Xtreme has been removed in the new bike and tank look is changed to the type found in a few Yamaha Gladiator models which is a big plastic tank. The same kind of tank will be seen in the coming model of TVS called TVS Flame. The plastic extension has the name of the bike which reads Hunk.


Engineering and Styling

The chassis of the Hunk is a tubular diamond shaped and the rear wheel mud flap looks like the rear flaps of Bajaj Pulsars models. The front brake is a 240 mm dia disc and the rear one is a 130 mm drum type. The wheelbase is 1325 mm and ground clearance is 145.

The front rim is made up of1.85 X 18 of alloy and rear rim is of 2.15 X 18 of alloy .The headlight is of the halogen type having12V 35/35W light and tail light is 12V - 5W .There are 4 turn signal lights and clear lens that are of multi reflector type to help the rider. The weight of the bike is 143 kg for the kick start model and 146 kg for the self start model. The height of the bike is 1095 mm.

Special features

The features of the bike are:

* Engine - single cylinder , air cooled, four-stroke
* Power - 14.4 @ 8500 RPM
* Torque - 12.80 @ 6500 RPM
* Bore X Stroke - 57.3 X 57.8 mm
* Carburetor is a CV Type
* Ignition is of Advanced Microprocessor Ignition System(AMI)
* Gearbox is a 5 Speed Constant Mesh

Some positive and negative specifications of the Motorcycle

Positive features of Hunk

* The riders who have experienced to ride on the bike are claiming that the mileage of the bike goes to 50.5 kmpl but it varies depending upon the bikers.
* The CBZ Xtreme bike was good except for its looks and Hunk is similar to it except that it has improved its looks which make it look better.
* The fuel efficiency is good.
* Handling is easier.
* As compared to RTR which has a good pick up, is easy to handle and has good looks, Hunk has better mileage.

Negative features of Hunk


* The bike is basically CBZ Xtreme having the same engine and same wheelbase

* No Digital meters are present in the bike

* No Lead rear tail lamps in the bike and it have the normal bulb lamp similar to CBZ Xtreme.

* No Split Rear Grab Rails

* The alloy triple clamp is also missing and Hunk has the steel plate clamp.


Cost

The cost of the bike ranges from Rs. 55,000 to 57,000 and it depends on the type of Hunk bike you are selecting .The self start one is costlier by Rs. 2000 .In a ex showroom in New Delhi you can get the self start model for Rs 57000 and kick start model for Rs. 55,000.

Technical Specification

Engine

Engine: Air Cooled, 4 Stroke, Single Cylinder
Engine Displacement: 149.2 cc
Max Power: 14.4 Ps @ 8500 RPM
Max Torque: 12.80 Nm @ 6500 RPM
Bore X Stroke: 57.3 X 57.8 mm
Carburettor: CV Type
Ignition: AMI- Advanced Microprocessor Ignition System
Gearbox: 5 Speed Constant Mesh


Chasis

Type: Tubular, Diamond Type
Front Suspension: Telescopic
Rear Suspension: REctangular Swingarm, 5 step Gas Reservoir Suspension (GRS)
Front Brake: 240 mm dia Disc Brake
Rear Brake: 130 mm Drum Brake

Wheels

Front Rim: 1.85 X 18, Alloy
Rear Rim: 2.15 X 18, Alloy
Front Tyre: 2.75 X 18
Rear Tyre: 100/90 X 18


Physical Dimensions

Length: 2080 mm
Width: 765 mm
Height: 1095 mm
Wheelbase: 1325 mm
Saddle Height: 795 mm
Ground Clearance: 145 mm
Keb Weight: 143 Kg (Kick)/146 Kg (Self)

Electricals

Battery: 12V- 7Ah
Headlight: 12V 35/35W - Halogen
Tail Light: 12V - 5W
Stop Light: 12V - 21W
Turn Signal Light: 12V - 10W X 4 Nos. Clear Lens Multi Refector Type


Tank Capacity

12.4 Lts, Usuable Reserve 2.2 Lts.

KTM RC8 (2008-current)

Overall verdict

The KTM RC8 is the revelation of 2008… even though we’ve known it’s been coming for four years. Perhaps we should’ve given KTM more credit because all their machines (on and off-road) to date are superb. Nonetheless the RC8 is simply stunning and for all the right reasons. Its engine is powerful and usable; handling shames Japanese and Italian superbikes; looks totally different to the norm but is, oh so appealing.

Engine

KTM claims 150bhp from its own designed and built V-twin. Whatever the final figure delivered at the rear wheel is it’s ample for 99% of riders. The torque curve is flat and juicy with power at the top end of the rev scale. There weren’t any signs of erratic fuelling on the bikes MCN rode and no sign of missed gears – although some launch bikes were reported as suffering from both faults. MCN’s first ride on the RC8 rates the engine as one of the best V-twins on the market today.


Ride and Handling

Another high point of the KTM RC8 is the clever use of WP Suspension front and rear. Four years of development with the RC8 project has lead to comfortable suspension for the road, and race-like action with just a few simple tweaks of the suspension’s easy reach adjusters. The RC8 steers like a whippet on a sugar rush but this quick steering doesn’t translate into instability, far from it. The RC8’s premier level of handling will flatter any riding style and is only one of two bikes available today that will anyone to ride proper fast so very easily.


Equipment

Ultra-modern WP Suspension. Complete adjustability of footpeg and handlebar controls. Easy to get out rear ride height adjuster. MotoGP dash that can be toggled between road and track applications and worked via a bar-mounted control. Rear subframe adjustable for height… and the detailing goes on.


Quality and Reliability

Every component part, be it plastic, metal or other, fits so perfectly and looks to have been made by redundant Swiss watch makers. Reliability shouldn’t be an issue as the motor is based on the already successful 990cc LC8 engine powering the Super Duke and SM models


Value

One point lost here because the £10,695 asking price drops the RC8 midway between Japanese 4-cylinder superbikes and Ducati’s 1098 exotica. If KTM had pitched the price closer to the Japanese, its proposed R version of the RC8 would be cheaper and, arguably, steal some of Ducati’s 1098S and 1098R sales.


Model History

2008: KTM RC8 launched

Other Versions

None

New price £10,695
Engine size 1148cc
Power 152.2bhp
Top speed 178mph

Suzuki GSX-R1000 (2005-2006)

Overall verdict

The first Suzuki GSX-R1000 set new superbike standards in 2001, the second one did it again in 2003 and this, the third full Suzuki GSX-R1000 update, went straight back to the top of the superbike tree in 2005 and stayed there, pretty much ever since. The reasons for the Suzuki GSX-R1000's dominance are simple. Sublime, lithe ergonomics and handling, radical styling and full-on usable power.

Engine

Under pressure from its rivals, the Suzuki GSX-R1000's capacity was raised from 989cc to a full 999cc. The result is a claimed 175bhp at the crank – putting the Suzuki GSX-R1000 on a par with the competition on paper but in truth giving the bike an advantage as Suzuki horses are often more muscular than those of other manufacturers when it comes to a dyno shoot-out. If you want the boss, the Suzuki GSX-R1000, pretty much, is it.

Ride and Handling

The all-new chassis was designed to bring as much weight as possible together in the middle of the Suzuki GSX-R1000 but Suzuki also decided to move the weight down, making the centre of gravity as low as possible. The result is that the Suzuki GSX-R1000 boasts fantastically sharp steering and ‘flickability’ without any significant trade off in stability.


Equipment

The K5/K6 Suzuki GSX-R1000 is standard fare, early 21st century kick-ass superbike. Neat alloy controls (pegs, bars, levers) dainty but comprehensive instrumentation and, er, not a lot else. When it comes to cutting-edge speed, less is always more… as the Suzuki GSX-R1000 demonstrates.


Quality and Reliability

Fair enough. Suzuki’s top end bikes are better than most if looked after (although you have to fastidiously clean them through winter) and there have been no major reliability issues with the Suzuki GSX-R1000.


Value

The Suzuki GSX-R1000 is cheaper than a Fireblade and still, arguably, the best superbike most of the time. Due a replacement in 2007 so plenty of discounts are currently available. The Suzuki GSX-R1000 costa a lot of money, but you get an awful lot of bike for that money. Find Suzuki GSX-R1000 motorcycles for sale.

Model History

2005: Suzuki GSX-R1000 K5 launched available in black/grey, blue/white or yellow/black colourschemes.
2006: Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6. Colour changes only, now in black or red/black.


Other Versions

Limited Edition all-black Suzuki GSX-R1000 launched in 2005.
Suzuki GSX-R1000 Phantom. Road legal Yoshimura silencer and special black/silver paintscheme launched in 2006.

New price £8,799
Used price range £2,200-3,975

Engine size 999cc
Power 176bhp
Top speed 186mph

Audi A8

In many parts of the world Audi is by far taking the lead from its top class competitors like Mercedes Benz and BMW. The 2008 Audi A8 is definitely in a different league and goes above any traditional luxury. This car has been upgraded from the A8 that was first brought out back in 1994. It was then the first car in the world to have been built on an aluminum platform, known as the Audi Space Frame (ASF). The A8 for 2008 has been updated to improve the suspension of the vehicle, the soundproofing, the steering as well as technology offering of the flagship model.

There are four different versions available in the Audi A8 model. It is available in A8, A8 L, A8 L W12 and then there is the S8. All of these models have the same chassis except for any of the "L" models as they have an extra 5-inch wheelbase, which results in passengers in the rear gaining extra room.

The Audi A8 and the A8 L are available in a V8 engine that is a luxury full size sedan. It comes standard with:

• Valcona leather seats

• dashboard inlays are both aluminum and wood

• front seats are heated and are power adjustable

• xenon headlamps

• voice controlled DVD navigation

Both models have electronic shock absorption control with air suspension, and they come standard with 18-inch alloy rims.

The Audi A8 L W12 is a 12-cylinder and has a 450-hp W12 engine and is only available with a long wheel base platform. This particular model comes standard with more luxury features:

• rear power seating

• side and rear power sunshades

• rear passenger control their temperature

• insulated glass in the doors for all doors which reduces any noise levels

This model has the same suspension design as the A8 as well as the A8 L but it comes standard with 19-inch alloy rims.

All these A8 models have been built with ASF. The use of the old steel chassis is now being replaced by the use of hybrid-welded laser-MIG aluminum. It is used for the castings, the panels and the profiles. With the car being built in aluminum, the Audi A8 model is now as much as several hundred pounds lighter than it would be if constructed in steel. By using the ASF the A8 has got a chassis more rigid than before, the vehicle handling is better, the crash performance has improved and to top it off the fuel economy is far better.

For the 2008 models there is a choice of three different engines. The Audi A8 and the A8 L both have a 4.2 liter V8 engine with 325 lb. Ft. of torque and 350 hp. The Audi A8 L W12 has a 6 liter W12 engine with 420 hp and 428 lb. Ft. of torque. All these models come standard with the Audi quattro's four wheel drive and include the automatic transmission which is a 6 speed Tiptronic that have both Sport Program and DSP features.

The Air Suspension is Audi's very own design and it balances the comfort of the ride with great sporty handling. This system uses air sprung struts that are controlled by electromagnetic valves that adjust each shock absorber. It is left up to the driver to either leave it in total automatic mode or he can select one of four suspension settings for different ride heights.

Technology of this vehicle

Audi has added "side assist". This is a system based on radar that monitors any blind spots and will let the driver know if there is any other traffic near.

The "lane assist" will let the driver know if the vehicle is moving from the lane without him realizing. The driver is warned by the steering wheel vibrating.

You can't go wrong with the entertainment system in the 2008 A8. It comes standard with a BOSE surround sound 12 speaker system with a satellite radio that is capable of WMA/MP3 playback. Or you can go for the optional Bang & Olufsen sound system that has a 6 disc CD changer.

Safety Features

Both driver and passenger are protected by front and knee air bags. There are air bags mounted on the sides for additional protection that are fitted both for front and rear passengers. There is Tethers and Lower Anchorage so the Children are safe, this feature is standard in the A8 model, and so is the monitoring system of the tire pressure. The vehicle also comes equipped with an anti-theft alarm system.

Price

The cost of the 2008 Audi A8 models range from $70,680 to $120,100.

This model has safety, technology as well as class altogether in one package that makes this vehicle a very attractive model for this year.