Here Comes Hastur – No Holds Barred

The nuclear explosion within the Indian Automotive market has initiated chain reactions at the exponential level and the newbies are in for an aggressive takeover of the structure. Upgrades flying in from all directions, numerous partnerships and joint ventures initiated and countless fresh new models from all makes and manufacturers are taking over the streets.

The venture between Buell motorcycles USA and Hero Motorcorp India, has led to the introduction of a new class of motorcycle in the Indian manufacturing war.

Built and destined for success

After the HX 250R motorcycle, Hero looks at launching the Hastur 620 cc midweight superbike in the Indian market, possibly in competition to the Ktm 690 Duke in the coming year.

 With a parallel twin cylinder engine churning out around 79 horsepower, and claimed weight of only 160 kgs with a full tank of fuel, the Hastur definitely looks designed, built and destined for success.

On the aesthetic note, it looks nothing short of an angry looking droid of a street fighter that would simply love to decimate anything that stands in its way.  The tubular trellis frame, painted a hot shade of yellow carries the engine as a stressed member of the chassis. The sub frame is carved out from strong and lightweight aluminum in order to reduce the dry weight further. Other popular motorcycles in the same segment outweigh the Hastur by quite some numbers – the MV Agusta Brutale 675 weighing 179 kg, the Triumph Street Triple R weighing 188 kg, the Suzuki SFV650 weighing 202 kg, and so on.

The million dollar claim

Adding to the above, it achieves the 0-100 mark in just about 3.8 seconds. Read again, because that’s where the million dollar super cars come in at.

The new and compact 620cc parallel twin pumps out 80ps at 9600 rpm and churns out an impressive 72NM of torque at 7750rpm. The engine is liquid cooled and comes with the recently developed counter rotating crankshaft that helps neutralize a part of the gyroscopic effect on the bike’s wheel for lighter handing. This same concept was also employed in the recently launched MV Agusta F3. It also has counter-rotary, Dual over head camshafts DOHC for improved throttle response.

The cylinder heads get their fuel supply through controlled swirl injection technology developed for fuel efficiency and emission control. The high tech “heart” pumps its power capability through a 6-speed constant mesh cartridge type gearbox that is said to initiate quicker gear shifts and more efficient transmission of power. The 17 inch cast aluminum alloy wheels wear Pirelli Diablo Rosso II dual compound and high performance street tyres and 43 mm adjustable inverted forks for the front suspension and a mono shock with adjustable coil at the rear.

Braking is exactly what one would expect of a 600cc super, with 300mm diameter discs and 4 piston radial calipers in the front, and a single 220 mm disc with a single piston caliper at the rear.

On the mean, aggressively styled face are twin projector headlamps which are accompanied by LED running lights, integrated LED side indicators, and LED taillights.

Hero’s happiness and pride is evident, as they mention Eric Buell Racing’s involvement and invaluable inputs in the development of the Hastur. Even if we drop all the features that set the bike apart from the others in its league, the concept of it in itself is very significant and of great importance in Hero’s exploration and product development venture into the middleweight sports segment of the market. It is also a crucial market for sales in the USA where motorcyclists and enthusiasts alike are still more driven by power and performance than any other aspect including practicality, which in India, is generally at the top of the list of preferences.

What, if it doesn’t work

All the numbers and specs are off the charts on paper, but it is probably one of the most important things to ask if the bike will live up to the image that’s being projected and the expectations being aimed at it.

The Hastur is expected to be launched in the 2016-17 time frame and priced at around 4 lakh rupees, and with the specifications and features provided, would leave no room for survival for any bike in or even around the same price tag.

The development of the Hastur also makes us wonder about the things to follow. What would be the next surprise in store for the European, American and before all our very own Indian market, from the joint stable of Hero Motorcorp and Eric Buell Racing.