As a 27bhp, 440cc single, the Hunk is bang on trend in 2025, being right in that popular 350-450cc single-cylinder roadster bracket, but differing from most of the heritage offerings, which are targeted more at mature riders. It’s aimed at a younger market with a slick contemporary style and a class-leading price.
It’s also nicely finished, decently equipped and goes well enough with its distinctly different, low revving engine. Hero may be largely unknown in Europe, but their size alone means they are to be taken very seriously. The Hunk, meanwhile, might be simple but it’s slick, credible, effective and impressively priced.
Power is by a 440cc, air and oil cooled, single overhead cam, two-valve single producing a claimed 27bhp at 6000rpm, along with peak torque of 36Nm at 4000rpm. That in itself is nothing to get excited about but is on par with the new BSA Bantam and actually more powerful than the Honda GB350S and Royal Enfield HNTR 350, although unlike the Hunk those three are all retro styled machines.
Like the Honda and the Enfield, it has been designed to emphasis torque so is a long-stroke, low revving unit that’s responsive, easy and flexible – if a little unexciting. Overall, it’s up to the job but its low-revving delivery feels a little alien and pedestrian at first, even though it’s quite effective.
Handling is a similar story – it’s sufficient without being exactly exciting. The Hunk’s frame is a tubular steel trellis, suspension is a mix of non-adjustable 43mm inverted telescopic forks with, at the rear, a pair of preload-adjustable twin shocks, while the uninspiring tyres are by Indian brand MRF. That said, it’s a budget-priced, novice-targeted roadster so you shouldn’t expect anything more and it all conspires to deliver nimble, light, fuss-free handling that’s more than sufficient.
Seat height is an acceptably low 803mm. As a single-cylinder machine, the Hunk 440 is also nice and slim, the upright riding position is natural, its saddle is well padded and acceptably comfortable. Overall it is a very easy, natural and unimposing bike to ride, making it ideal for novices. Ultimately, of course, it’s also a lightweight roadster with all the pros and cons that go with that – for example, it’s great around town, less so on extended motorway rides – but on the whole it’s acceptably comfortable.
Practicality-wise, the Hunk 440 is a lightweight roadster with a maximum realistic cruising speed of around 70mph. That makes it a great learner bike, brilliant short-haul commuter and a machine that’s so nimble and economical. It is excellent around town and also reasonable fun, too, as long as your performance expectations aren’t too high. But that’s about your lot. It’s too exposed, small, and with too limited performance for serious long distances, motorways, touring or pillion rides.
As a budget-priced, entry level roadster you shouldn’t expect much by way of equipment from the Hunk 440 and, in reality, there isn’t much – but it doesn’t feel particularly lacking either. The switchgear and TFT dash are smart, nicely designed, functional and have Bluetooth smartphone connectivity via an imminent app, which will facilitate turn-by-turn satnav. The twin shock rear is a little old school but the inverted front forks compensate and there are also crash bars as standard, but that’s your lot.
But the big bit is the price. At launch, the new Hunk 440 was priced at a class-leading £3499 (or £3699 when on the road prices are added). On top of that, the low revving engine should prove very frugal, and it should be temptingly cheap to run, although on the slight downside, it’s also so new there are (as yet) no PCP deals available. All told, however, it’s one of the cheapest, most affordable small-to-mid-range bikes you can buy.
Whether you should, however, is a different matter. If you want an entry-level, c.400cc single cylinder roadster/commuter that’s not a ‘retro’ the Hunk 440 has a lot going for it. It’s also produced by a credible major manufacturer, build quality is decent, it rides and performs OK, has some nice styling/feature touches and should be cheap to run. Whether that’s enough for it to be a major success, however, is yet to be seen. What is certain, however, is that this is just the start of Hero in the UK with a raft of new bikes, dealers and more set to follow…
2025 Hero Hunk 440 Specification
Price: £3,499 (£3,699 OTR)
Engine: 440cc single, SOHC, two valves per cylinder, air/oil cooled
Power: 27bhp (20kW) @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 36Nm (26.5lb-ft) @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, chain
Frame: Tubular steel trellis
Suspension: (F) 43mm USD telescopic forks, no adjust (R) preload adjustable twin shocks.
Wheels: Cast aluminium, 17-inch front and rear
Tyres: MRF (F) 110/70 x 17, (R) 150/60 x 17
Brakes: (F) 1 x 320mm disc, two-piston ByBre caliper, (R) 240mm disc, single-piston caliper. ABS
Weight: 191kg (kerb)
Wheelbase: 1,388mm
Seat height: 803mm
Fuel tank: 13.5 litres
Fuel consumption: N/a
Service intervals: 4000 miles/12 months
Warranty: 24 months unlimited mileage
Contact: https://www.motogb.co.uk/model/2025-hero-hunk-440-1597
Words: Phil West
Photos: Chippy Wood
