A Festival for Hero Customers
Hero MotoCorp organised a special festival for their customers in Pune that consisted of riding events, games, food, and even a live concert
THE “HERO RIDE FEST” WAS an event appropriately named because it was nothing short of a festival for hero owners and enthusiasts. When it took place in Pune, we were there to witness it. With an elaborate set-up that was spread out over a massive outdoor arena, hero had more than 15 events lined up for their customers’ entertainment, easily a few hours worth of fun and games.
hero are not new to the game of forming a community. as one of the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturers, they are experienced players in that field. however, in spite of such success, it was nice to see that their customers are still high on the list of priorities. Perhaps, it was the success of similar events in the past or, maybe, there were just that many hero fans in Pune because the gates opened to eager enthusiasts and participants at around 9.00 am on a sunday. they had sacrificed the comfort of a lazy day at home to be there and the number only increased as the hours passed, culminating in a full-house attendance.
the riding activities were centred around their Xpulse 200 and Xtreme 160r motorcycles. While the riders of the former had a dirt-track to play with and explore the potential of their dual-purpose machines, the Xtreme owners had two special events. they could either have a go around a custom-made track to enjoy the agility and pace of the Xtreme 160r or they could race the machine at a small drag-strip, complete with timing equipment. these were the most popular attractions here and the organisers had to deal with long queues throughout the day. around the small track, the Xtreme highlighted its best characteristics. Obviously, the owners were not surprised, but it did manage to convince a few riders toying with the idea of joining the hero fold. at the drag-strip, they also got a chance to experience the motorcycle’s impressive acceleration and that thrill made it the most popular activity at the ride fest.
Other fun things to do included a few games that are usually a part and parcel of such fairs as also a separate space for art-based activities. a live band always played in the background, a crucial element to maintain a festive ambience.
the highlight of the main arena was the display area for modified hero Xpulse 200 motorcycles and the participants did not disappoint. from aesthetic jobs to performance upgrades, there were a number of examples that were worth checking out. Considering the potential of these motorcycles, we expect that section to grow in size the next time around.
as with any community, identity is a huge piece of the pie because there is a sense of pride in being part of a massive group. to cater to that, hero had also set up a large stall for merchandise and motorcycle riding gear. Customers had a variety of options to choose from to supplement their wardrobe and upgrade their safety gear.
if you think i am talking about the food towards the end because it was no good, you are wrong. there was a delectable spread of comestibles to choose from, but in the excitement of the day, hunger took a back-seat for a while.
as the sun was about to set, hero brought the event to an end with a
fitting finale. Budding rapper and one of the stars of a reality show, srushti tawade, enthralled the audience with a live concert and everyone left the venue in high spirits, having made the most of a sunday.
it is heartening to see a manufacturer make so much effort to organise a fun day out for its customers. the hero ride Fest delivered well on all counts. the next time there is one in your city, we urge you to go and check it out. it should be well worth your time because it is a good overall experience for a motorcyclist and there is no shortage of entertainment either.
if, on the other hand, you have been to one of these events and have suggestions for improvement or if there is anything in particular that you would like to see added, do write to us at Bike india or hero MotoCorp using our respective social media handles.
the Hero ride Fest delivered well on all counts. the next time there is one in your city, we urge you to go and check it out