Hero MotoCorp just launched flex-fuel versions of its Splendor+ and HF Deluxe commuter motorcycles in India. Normally, that would be the kind of industry news that gets filed away under "interesting, but not exactly headline material." But then I saw the prices.
The Splendor+ Flex Fuel starts at Rs 82,710, while the HF Deluxe Flex Fuel comes in at Rs 72,792. Based on current exchange rates, that's roughly $827 and $728, respectively. And just like that, I stopped caring about the ethanol part. Because we're now talking about fully street-legal motorcycles that cost less than a carbon wheel set for a bicycle.