Hero HX250R spotted testing for the first time

Hero MotoCorp’s much-awaited flagship quarter litre sports bike has been spotted testing in India for the first time.

The Hero HX250R was displayed at the 2014 Auto Expo and has generated considerable interest among the Indian motorcycling community.

Hero’s erstwhile technical partner Eric Buell Racing had significant contribution to the HX250R project. But with EBR going under the hammer, there have been doubts over the future of projects like the HX250R.

Recently, Hero MotoCorp acquired EBR’s consulting business for over Rs 17 crore, which is reported to include projects and research Eric Buell Racing was doing for Hero, and those projects include the HX250R. Now, Hero is all set to take the HX250R and from the spy shot, it seems testing has already begun and a launch is imminent, possibly by the end of the year or early next year.

The HX250R uses a 249cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that will produce around 31PS power and 26Nm of torque. The bike features geodesic tubular chassis that integrates the engine as a stressed member of the frame, to offer sporty riding dynamics and better rigidity. The HX250R sports 37mm telescopic fork at the front and a 5-step adjustable monoshock at the rear along with beautiful looking trellis shaped swingarm.

Braking is handled by ByBre 300mm disc up front and 200mm disc at the rear. The bike also is expected to get Combined braking system (CBS) and optional ABS. Hero MotoCorp has not indicated any launch date or pricing, but we expect the HX250R to be priced at around Rs 1.5 lakh. It will compete against the likes of the Honda CBR250R, KTM RC 200 and the Bajaj Pulsar RS200.