Hero Ignitor review, test ride

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The Ignitor is yet another Hero MotoCorp commuter motorcycle in the burgeoning 125cc segment. A glance is all it takes to realise this is a re-badged Honda Stunner. The Ignitor’s headlamp and the visor are in line with Hero’s new corporate identity, with dual tone mirrors adding style to the new bike. The Ignitor instruments are better than the Stunner, feeling modern and feature loaded. These consist of an analogue tachometer, digital speedometer, an odometer and a fuel gauge apart from the regular warning lamps. The legible LCD screen also displays time. Switchgear is top notch and feels similar to the Honda Stunner, however, we missed an engine-kill switch that Hero has chosen to omit. Good palm grips are present on the new bike. The large tank imparts a muscular look to this 125cc motorcycle, providing large knee recesses with ample support, this along with a wide, cushy saddle instantly making the rider feel comfortable. The Ignitor comes with racy graphics on its tank and side panels, along with a sporty stepped seat. There’s a little, lockable storage space under the pillion seat, and a body colour grab-bar for pillions.

The Hero Ignitor shares its engine with the Honda Stunner, a 124.7cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine that generates 11bhp at 8000rpm. However, unlike the Stunner which develops its peak torque, 1.11kgm at 6500rpm, the Ignitor outputs the same at 5000rpm. This is effectively felt when riding in city, with the bike feeling quicker as it scythes through crowded traffic. The Honda engine is willing and just as refined as expected. Its five-speed gearbox operates effortlessly in the universally accepted one-down, four-up pattern. Gearing is short, allowing you to ride the bike in higher gears at low speeds.

The Ignitor seating position isn’t really aggressive, but does set its rider in a light lean into the handlebars, which along with its nimble handling gives the new Hero a slightly sporty nature. The motorcycle uses a diamond frame and rectangular section swingarm. Telescopic fork suspension is used in the front, working together with adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear to allow the bike decent ride quality. The Ignitor comes with a 240mm front disc brake and 130mm drum at rear. Stopping power is good, the Ignitor using tubeless TVS tyres front and rear. 

The Hero Ignitor is essentially no more than a Honda Stunner with minor tweaks and changes, of a cosmetic nature, and while this does add some colour and welcome variety to Hero’s portfolio, it isn’t really able to bring anything much more substantial to the table.

Hero’s latest 125cc motorcycle is offered in four colours, white, red, blue and black. The base variant asks Rs 55,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi), while one has to shell out another Rs 2,000 for a front disc brake.