Truly 'Impulsive'

Hero Motor Corp, even before their divorce with Honda, was never really a manufacturer to surprise you. Bread-and-butter motorcycles and HMC went hand in hand, with the majority of their product portfolio comprising of two-wheelers with about as much character as a smokeless cigarette. The latest HMC launch comes as a pleasant shift away from the usual breed though.

The all-terrain Hero Impulse is here, retailing at a sum of around 66 big ones. Sold in Brazil as the Honda NXR Bros, this new bike should turn heads quite easily with its rather appealing design. Enduro-styling is the name of the game here; thankfully, the Impulse actually lives up to its looks, offering half-decent off-roading ability. All-terrain knobby tyres, finger protectors, long travel extended forks for the front and a monoshock system for the rear.

Where it might disappoint some are the uninspiring graphics and slightly underpowered motor that produces a rather modest 13.8 bhp. The engine is proven and super-reliable single-cylinder powerplant that does duty in the Hunk and CBZ. Surprisingly, the Impulse is also a breeze to ride in traffic which is a good thing since the vast majority of its buyers will probably never venture off the beaten path. The unique, versatile Impulse is certainly worth considering if it fits your budget. And hats off to HMC for the first motorcycle from their rather large stable that truly has the potential to spark some, ahem, “impulsive” buying.