The rising number of female riders in India has paved the path for two-wheeler manufacturers to start manufacturing scooters. Not only that, a significant contribution in the market share has been done by the sales of scooters. The development of scooters and the technology employed in them has encouraged more people to opt for them. Now, not only female riders, but also a significant number of male, especially elderly riders opt for these light-weighted two-wheelers. Hero MotoCorp, the leading manufacturer in the country, with a market share of 54 per cent has developed a number of scooters, which have reigned supreme in the Indian two-wheeler market.
Hero Pleasure, one of the leading scooters in India, has emerged as a hot favourite among the modern generation. Not only is its smart appearance a major reason for its popularity, but also the high-end performance that has contributed towards its success. The model is powered by a 102 cc air-cooled, 4-stroke single cylinder engine, which can generate a maximum power of 5.03 kW at the rate of 7000 rpm. The maximum torque that can be generated from this model is 7.85 Nm at the rate of 5000 rpm. The scooter comes with a self and kick-start and is powered by a CDI ignition.
When it comes to comfort, the scooter is way ahead of its contemporaries. The front suspension is of bottom link with spring-loaded hydraulic damper type and is specially designed for the Indian roads. At the back, swing arm with spring-loaded hydraulic damper system makes it comfortable even for the pillion riders. The front and the rear wheels have been provided with internal expanding shoe type brakes to make sure that the rider has complete control even on the busiest of roads. The wheelbase is of 1240 mm with a ground clearance of 125 mm that takes care to safeguard the engine even on the most uneven roads. The fuel tank capacity is of 5 litres and the total kerb weight of the scooter is 103 kg.
Another popular presentation of the Hero MotoCorp is the Maestro, which is slightly more powerful than the Pleasure. It is powered by a 109 cc air-cooled, 4-stroke single cylinder engine. The maximum power output from this mill is 6.0 kW at the rate of 7500 rpm with a maximum torque of 9.10 Nm at 5500 rpm. The suspension type at the front is bottom link spring loaded hydraulic dampers and the rear one is unit swing with spring loaded hydraulic damper type suspension. The front and rear brakes that have been provided in this model are of the internal expanding shoe drum type, which ensures efficient control. With a ground clearance of 155 mm and a fuel tank capacity of 53 litres, this model is made for the urban population. The kerb weigh for Maestro is slightly more than the Pleasure at 110 kilograms.
Apart from these, the leading two-wheeler manufacturer of India has also promised that it will bring forth three more scooters in the next two years or so. No wonder Hero MotoCorp is looking forward to gain a significant part of the Indian market in this segment, as well.
