Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/262687
2014 HERO MOTORCYCLES FIRST LOOK P84 when it'll be produced, though – but given the speed with which the next model was brought to production, expect the Hastur to hit the marketplace in the 2016 model year. The EBR-designed Hero Leap electric serial-hybrid scooter launched as a concept two years ago has since been developed for production by Hero's own newly-established R&D facility in Gurgaon and was launched at Delhi in its pre-production form, with manufacture slated to start in September this year for sale around the world. With lithium-ion batteries pow- ering an 8kW electric motor, the Leap compensates for the lim- ited range of an electric motor- cycle by incorporating a range extender in the form of an on- board generator powered by a dedicated 124cc four-valve four- stroke engine, whose .8 of a gal- lon fuel tank provides four times the range of the batteries alone, with ease and speed of replen- ishment to get you home should the charge expire. The permanent magnet AC motor produces over 60Nm of torque immediately once the throttle is opened, with toothed belt final drive designed to last the life of the vehicle. Top speed of the Leap is 62 mph when run- ning with the range extender, and its near-silent acceleration in full electric operation is better than that of many gasoline scooters. Hero has applied for three inter- national technology patents and folding side racks, a large seat and spacious footboards on this unique motorcycle capable of 45mph in non-turbo mode. An accessory generator can also be fitted which along with the diesel engine delivers extra electrical power at a remote site – as when camping, for example - plus the optional removable LED lamp in front of the dash can be unclipped from this work- horse two-wheeler, and used as a flashlight. As if that wasn't enough, Hero also displayed the iON, an envi- ronment-friendly electric concept vehicle that features a hydrogen fuel cell in its center structure, as well as advanced batteries and ca- The Hero SimplEcity is the first electric motorcycle to come from an India manufacturer. It's powered by a 4kW electric motor in the rear hub. nine international design registra- tions for the Leap, which features an underseat mobile phone char- ger as standard equipment. But the Leap wasn't Hero's only hybrid model on display at Delhi. The Hero RNT is a thor- oughly innovative hybrid diesel design powered by a 150cc 15 hp diesel engine with optional turbo- charger and, available as another option, a 1kWhub electric motor in the front wheel hub powered by a lithium-ion battery pack, which gives the rider a two-wheel drive option for tough conditions where added traction is required. Alternatively, the diesel engine and rear chain drive can be shut down, and the RNT used in urban mode on electric power and front wheel-drive only. The wide, flat load surfaces over both wheels contain strap bars to hold down a load, and there are multi-use