New 150 cc Hero Honda Achiever "Soft" launched

How many Hero Honda Achiever's have you seen so far? To answer that myself, I'll have to admit "hardly any". Although the bike has a decent engine for a 150 cc commuter, the reason behind its absence from our roads is not too difficult to fathom. Just ask yourself the question, "Why do I buy the Hero Honda Achiever? What is its U.S.P?"

Honestly, when the Achiever was launched in 2005, it had no U.S.P that could attract customers towards it. The Achiever looked very much similar to the unsuccessful 135 cc, Hero Honda Ambition. Its ad tag "Some Fly Higher" was equally fuzzy.

Hero Honda did try to refresh the Achiever in 2007 by putting black colored alloy wheels as standard and some "new stickers". But even then the Achiever remained an elusive model on the roads. By now with hardly any new Achiever's to be seen on our roads, I had started to think that the Achiever has been eventually discontinued.

But with recent developments like Bajaj Auto successfully creating a niche with its Discover 150 as a 150 cc Commuter, and the recent efforts of Yamaha with its 150 cc SZ and SZ-X, there might be some opportunity for Hero Honda as well.

Looks like Hero Honda, with its new Achiever is trying once again to win the hearts of commuters who are looking for some 150 cc power. The Hero Honda Achiever mini site has been very recently updated with details of the new Achiever.

So what's new on the Achiever this time?

• New Graphics
• Black colored engine covers and Alloy Side Sets for foot pegs

From the mini site, it looks like that's all that is new..!!

The front disc brakes were already there and so were the black alloys and the rear "tuff up" tube. Also the engine tech specs are still exactly same as the older model.

So according to me, the Achiever's still got no USP. The only bright spot could be its price tag. Which if priced as aggressively like the Discover 150 DTS-i, would give the Achiever an USP. At least the Achiever's got a front disc brake, unlike the Yamaha SZ/SZ-X.

Hero Honda Achiever, Price:

By the way, the current prices that are being displayed at the Achiever mini site is quite impossible (Rs. 85,000 on Road..!!). Lets give some more time for Hero Honda to update the prices correctly.

Oh.. by the way, the new Ad Tag Line of "Solid, like you" makes sense and easy to comprehend this time.

Best of luck Hero Honda Achiever.




Hero Honda Achiever, Colors:

• Magnetic Blue
• Candy Blazing Red
• Force Metallic Silver
• Black Purple
• Black Blue

Hero Honda Achiever, Technical Specifications

Engine

Type: 4 Stroke, Single Cylinder,
Displacement: 149.1 cc
Max. Power: 13.4 BHP @ 8000
Max. Torque: 12.80 Nm @ 5000
Bore x Stroke: 57.3 x 57.8
Compression Ratio: 9.1:1

Ignition: AMI- Advanced Microprocessor Ignition
Carburetor: CV Type
Transmission: 5 Speed

Chassis: Tubular, Diamond Type
Front Brake: 240 mm Disc
Rear Brake: 130 mm Drum

Front Tyre: 2.75 x 18
Rear Tyre: 3.00 x 18 (Tuff Up)

Battery: 12 V - 2.5 Ah (Kick) / 7 Ah (Self)
Headlamp: 35/35 W Halogen
Starting: Kick / Self


Length x Breadth x Height: 2040 mm x 760 mm x 1120 mm
Wheelbase: 1290 mm
Ground Clearance: 160 mm
Fuel Tank: 12.5 (2.3 Lts Reserve)

Kerb Weight: 134 Kg (Kick), 138 Kg (Self)