‘’Hero Ignitor is a re-make and a revised version of Honda CBF Stunner, but a much better, tough and strong bike than Stunner, easy, smooth and elegant bike to ride.’’
The Hero Ignitor was launched in 2012, just after the company had a split with its long-standing partner Honda, the Japanese company and which was renamed as Hero MotoCorp. The upright seating position coupled with its light weight make the Ignitor agile and fun to ride in urban stop-go traffic.
India’s largest motorcycle company Hero MotoCorp has returned with an all – new brand identity in order to take on its two chief rivals Baja Auto and the fast emerging Honda Motorcycle & Scooter, India.
Hero Ignitor is priced at Rs. 58,654 (Drum self and alloy) ex-showroom Pune and the Disc brake variant Ignitor is costed Rs. 2000 more.
Styling : The Ignitor and its twin, the CBF Stunner are a part of the competitive 125cc segment, though the Hero Ignitor manages to edge ahead in terms of styling, and a few cosmetic updates.
Cosmetic updates like the redesigned body panels, front cowl with new edgy graphics and body-colored dual tone rear view mirrors set the Ignitor apart from the Stunner. The bike also gets a digital – analogue instrument console which is the first in the 125cc segment. The striking trapezoidal headlight of Hero Ignitor is inspired from the Hero Hunk. The air vents below the cowls are a design element for passing the air through it. Overall, the Ignitor looks more modern as compared to the Honda Stunner. Hero Ignitor’s design is inspired from Hero’s itself the Hero Karizma and so the Hero Ignitor is also called as the Baby Karizma. Its gloss black tinted windscreen even gives it a better look.
Its dazzling tail light even gives it a sweet simple look for the commuters from the back and its split seats gives it a sportier look. The top view of the Hero Ignitor shows good curves which makes it elegant.
Ergonomics : The Hero Ignitor is a bike manufactured by keeping in mind the younger generation of buyers, and hence incorporates trendy styling elements, like the half-fairing and the well cushioned split seat, in its design. Its well arranged foot pegs and perfect seating position, arranged with a diamond frame chassis and raised handle bar creates almost a perfect center of gravity for the rider and which also minimizes stress applied on the lower back and wrists, thereby improving comfort while riding for extended durations whether it’s a congested market road or a highway. The tank is well scooped, so that you can grip to the tank while riding enthusiastically. The pillion’s seat is also arranged and beneath it is a small space for the tool kit & the medical kit and a little more space to keep a pair of goggles and a cloth, can say. The rear view mirrors are also a perfect arrangement on the handle bar.
Instrument Cluster and Switch Gear : The instrument cluster on the Hero Ignitor is good and a huge relief as compared to other bikes in its 125cc segment. Bike is funky and modern too. The meter console’s round pod has side indicator and high beam placed on the top and neutral shift lights at the bottom. While the digital speedometer at the right and fuel gauge at the left which adds some style to the cluster. The digital speedometer dash has a clock and two trip meters which can be accessed by the switches on the left side of the fuel gauge. The switchgear is the same as found on the various motorcycles in the Hero and Honda’s stable. The left switch performs duties of lights, indicators, horn and pass switch. While the right switch only serves the electric thumb start. Just the engine kill switch is absent on this bike.
Performance and Gearbox : As mentioned earlier the Ignitor shares its engine with Honda Stunner and is powered by a 124.7cc, single-cylinder, and four-stroke engine that generate 11bhp at 8000rpm and peak torque of 1.11kgm of 5000 rpm. Hero calls it as an ATFT engine and is slightly tuned different from the Stunner. Due to the available amount of torque Ignitor can easily be ridden in city traffics at lower speeds and also can perform well on the highways. The engine responds smoothly and the five speed gearbox also works well. The gearing in the Ignitor are short and thus allows the rider to ride the motorcycle at high speeds in lower gears which is very effective during overtaking in city traffic. The engine is quite refined and there is enough power on demand. The 5 – speed constant mesh gearbox with a viscous paper air filter is used to supply power to the rear wheel which also excites you on full throttling on an open road.
Riding Dynamics : The Hero Ignitor is a good handling motorcycle and the seating position on the Ignitor is also comfortable and ideal for long journeys, the seats are also quite soft and do not strain the riders back. The motorcycle uses Telescopic forks at the front and Hydraulic adjustable shock absorbers at the rear which can handle Indian potholes and roads quite effectively, the tubeless TVS tyres also provide good amount of grip on the tarmac and is a good addition from Hero MotoCorp. Its handling is good and will always remind you about the well said quote ”Dance like a butterfly, Sting like a Bee”.
The Ignitor is a sporty motorcycle and the brakes are also quite efficient in bringing the motorcycle to a halt, the motorcycle uses 240mm front disc brake and 130mm drum brakes at the rear, however the base model with drum brakes at the front still needs some more braking power to give confidence to the rider.
Miscellaneous : As every other hero bike, Ignitor is fit and perfect. It has got no uneven panel gaps. Overall build quality is good. The motorcycle comes with a full chain cover and kick lever as standard. Clutch is light and progressive while the turning radius of the Hero Ignitor is short. Ground clearance is 175mm which is ample to ride it anywhere. Hero Ignitor comes with a crash guard, dual tone rear view mirrors and saree guard in its accessories. The fuel cap is also good.
Verdict : Hero Ignitor is a semi – faired bike which offers its commuters a comfortable ride along its well tuned sweet engine to play with. This bike is made by keeping in mind the younger generation of buyers’ with a peace of mind who like to buy a sensible bike with an all-rounder’s capacity. Hero’s this bike brings good volume to the company as its penetration in both rural and urban markets. Hence, this is a smooth go-anywhere bike.
Engine Specifications :
Engine Type : 4 – stroke single cylinder OHC
Cooling System : Air Cooling
Displacement : 124.7 cc
Maximum Power : 11 Bhp at 8000 rpm
Maximum Torque : 11 Nm at 5000 rpm
Carburetor Type : CV
Starting : Self Start and Kick Start
Ignition System : Digital CDI
Clutch Type : Multiplate wet
Gear box : 5 Speed constant mesh
Chassis and Suspension :
Chassis Type : Tubular , Diamond Type
Front suspension : Telescopic Hydraulic Shock Absorbers
Rear Suspension : Swing Arm with adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers
Front Brake : Dia 240 mm Disc (Optional) / Dia 130 mm Drum
Rear Brake : Dia 130 mm Drum
Front Tyre Size : 80/100 x 17 (Tubeless)
Rear Tyre Size :100/90 x 17 (Tubeless)
Electicals :
Battery Type : Maintenance Free Battery, 12 V – 3 Ah
Head Light : 35 W / 35 W – Halogen Bulb
Tail Stop Lamp : 5 W / 21 W
Turn Signal Lamp : 10 W x 4 nos.
Dimensions :
Height : 1095 mm
Width : 710 mm
Length : 2010 mm
Total Weight : 129 kg
Wheelbase : 1270 mm
Ground Clearance : 175 mm