Hero Cycles to launch Cyclomoto in June

After having positioned itself as the largest bicycle manufacturer in the country, Hero Cycles, part of Rs 11,000 crore Hero Group conglomerate, is now all set to foray into "mini motor cycle" segment with the launch of engine-driven bicycle "Cyclomoto" next month.

"We are going to launch our new invention called Cyclomoto, an engine-driven bicycle next month," Hero Cycles Limited, Managing Director (Marketing), Suresh Munjal said.

The bicycle manufacturing company aims to target schoolgoing children below the age of 16 years for this bicycle and initially the company would bring out 300 units of Cyclomoto.

Cyclomoto, petrol driven bike, would have 24.75 CC (cubic capacity) engine, to be attached at the rear side of the bicycle. "The riders would not require licence to run it and they would also not be required to wear helmets. Moreover, no pollution certificate would be needed for Cyclomoto," said another senior official of Hero Cycles.

Hero Cycles would manufacture the basic structure of the bicycle while Majestic Auto will provide petrol tank and Hero Motors (Ghaziabad unit) will supply the engines for the same. The assembling of the bike will be done in Ludhiana, said the official.

The gearless bike could also be paddled by the rider if one does not require it to run on petrol. "Biker can paddle the bike just like a bicycle whenever he does not want to run it on petrol. The total weight of bicycle will be 28 kg with engine, so rider should not face any difficulty while paddling," he said.

Equipped with 1.9 litres fuel tank, Cyclomoto is a 2 stroke, single cylinder and air cooled bike with electronic CDI system. The top speed of Cyclomoto will be 25 kmph and it would give mileage of 75 kmpl.

Having maximum torque of 1.1 nm @ 4500 rpm, it will also be fitted with easy pull start engine, speedometer and odometer, horn, light for night riding, telescopic shock absorbing fork, and adjustable seat height and handle position.