KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Hero HF Deluxe range in India starts at Rs 59,998, making it one of the cheapest motorcycles on sale.
- The HF Deluxe gets segment-exclusive features like a USB charger, idle start-stop system and side stand engine cut-off.
- The HF Deluxe's engine is smaller than those of the Bajaj Platina 100 and TVS Sport, but its performance and mileage are on par with them.
India has evolved as a market for motorcycles with more premium and performance-oriented models. However, the root of the motorcycle sales still lies in small towns and rural areas where entry-level commuters are hugely popular. In this segment, the Hero HF Deluxe is an old and trustworthy brand, offering unbeatable efficiency and reliability at an affordable price point. Heres how it competes with the other popular entry-level commuters, the Bajaj Platina 100 and TVS Sport, in all aspects.
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Hero HF Deluxe vs Rivals: Price
The entry-level commuter motorcycle segment is highly price-sensitive, and the HF Deluxe has earned many buyers' trust with its affordable pricing. Its starting price (Rs 59,998) is lower than the Bajaj Platina 100 and almost equal to that of the TVS Sport.
| Model | Hero HF Deluxe | Bajaj Platina 100 | TVS Sport |
| Price (ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 59,998 Rs 69,018 | Rs 68,685 | Rs 59,881 Rs 71,383 |
Hero HF Deluxe vs Rivals: Engine
The 97.2cc engine of the HF Deluxe is smaller than the 102cc engine of the Bajaj Platina 100 and the 109.7cc engine of the TVS Sport. While the power output of the HF Deluxe is almost similar to the Platina 100, its torque output is the lowest in this comparison.
The advantage in displacement as this segments largest engine makes a strong case for the TVS Sport, which claims better power and torque figures than the HF Deluxe and Platina 100. The real-time fuel efficiency figures range between 65-70 kmpl for all these three motorcycles.
| Model | Hero HF Deluxe | Bajaj Platina 100 | TVS Sport |
| Engine | Single-cylinder, air-cooled, 97.2cc | Single-cylinder, air-cooled, 102cc | Single-cylinder, air-cooled, 109.7cc |
| Transmission | 4-speed | 4-speed | 4-speed |
| Maximum power | 8.0PS @ 8,000 rpm | 7.9PS @ 7,500 rpm | 8.2PS @ 7,350 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 8.05Nm @ 6,000 rpm | 8.3Nm @ 5,500 rpm | 8.7Nm @ 4,500 rpm |
Also read: Hero Splendor Plus Xtec Features Explained: Here's What All It Gets
Hero HF Deluxe vs Rivals: Hardware
To keep costs in check, the HF Deluxe comes with a basic hardware setup, with a telescopic front fork and dual coil springs for the suspension, 2.75x18 tyres at both ends and 130mm drum brakes at both ends. The rear suspension of the HF Deluxe feels the most basic, with the Platina 100 getting spring-in-spring suspension and HF Deluxe having three additional steps in preload adjustability for its rear suspension.
The brakes and tyres of the Platina 100 and TVS Sport are equally good, though the HF Deluxe has marginally larger sizes for its tyres and rear drum brake.
| Dimensions | Hero HF Deluxe | Bajaj Platina 100 | TVS Sport |
| Frame | Tubular double cradle | Tubular double cradle | Tubular double cradle |
| Front suspension | Telescopic | Telescopic | Telescopic |
| Rear suspension | Dual coil springs with 2-step adjustable preload | Dual spring-in-spring | Dual coil springs with 5-step adjustable preload |
| Front brake | 130mm drum | 130mm drum | 130mm drum |
| Rear brake | 130mm drum | 110mm drum | 110mm drum |
| Front tyre | 2.75x18 | 2.75x17 | 2.75x17 |
| Rear tyre | 2.75x18 | 3.00x17 | 3.00x17 |
Also read: Hero HF Deluxe Key Features Explained: Here's What All It Gets
Hero HF Deluxe vs Rivals: Features
Entry-level cheap commuters are usually not very feature-equipped to keep costs in check. However, the HF Deluxe has handy features like a USB charger, idle start-stop system and side stand engine cut-off, which are useful in everyday stop-go traffic riding.
The Platina 100 is the only motorcycle among the three models with a daytime running LED strip placed above its headlamp. All these three motorcycles here have an electric starter, a fuel gauge and a combined braking system.
| Dimensions | Hero HF Deluxe | Bajaj Platina 100 | TVS Sport |
| LED DRL | No | Yes | No |
| Electric starter | Yes (optional) | Yes | Yes |
| USB charger | Yes | No | No |
| Idle start-stop | Yes | No | No |
| Side stand engine cut-off | Yes | No | No |
| Fuel gauge | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Combined braking system | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Verdict
For its target audience, the Hero HF Deluxe is a very practical motorcycle, offering best-in-class fuel efficiency and features for economy-centric buyers. While its pricing, performance, and mileage are on par with those of other motorcycles priced similarly to it, the longer equipment list and Heros unbeatable tried-and-tested record in the 100cc commuter category seal the deal for HF Deluxe.
