Report - Hero Motocorp developing 600 cc 'Hastur', debut at Auto Expo

Hero Motocorp's HX 250R was the company's most powerful bike for less than a week as reports are coming in about Hero developing a 600 cc superbike. The Economic Times reports that this bike, codenamed "Hastur", will be showcased at the Auto Expo 2014.

A sketch of the bike shows that it is a tubular naked frame bike with twin exhausts exiting under the frame, a la Duke 390. There's unmistakable influence from Erik Buell Racing, Hero's technology partner, in the raised fuel tank for instance.

The bike, the report says, has been designed for the international market and that it's likely to be launched in the domestic market as well.

When launched, the Hero Hastur would face some serious competition from existing or upcoming products like the KTM Duke 690, Triumph Street Triple and Triumph Daytona 675.

The Indian market for sportsbikes is relatively small but is growing quickly. A recent study by Emerging Markets Automotive Advisors revealed that the 500-800 cc segment is set to grow 4,900 percent by 2020. For the fiscal year ended March 2013, 2,000 units of bikes ranging 600 cc or above were sold, half of these by Harley-Davidson.

Hero had, last week, unveiled a diesel concept bike and a 250 cc sportsbike.

[Source - The Economic Times]