India’s most-selling 2-wheeler brand recently launched the all-new Hero Xtreme 200R in India and it has been a long time since we have been waiting for it. Even with a price point of a 160cc-180cc segment bike, the Xtreme goes on to give a tough competition to the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 and the TVS Apache RTR 200.
Buying a bike is a big deal for some people and they want their value for money. There are many shortcomings in every bike and it is in public interest that companies should address these issues and meet the needs of the customers. Here is a list of all the good and the bad in the all-new Hero Xtreme 200R:
Hero Xtreme 200R Pros & Cons
Pros of Xtreme 200R
1) Torque-Rich Engine
The engine in the bike is a 199.6cc air-cooled, single-cylinder motor. It is a powerful motor which delivers a maximum torque of 17.1 NM at 6,500 rpm and maximum power of 18.4 HP at 8,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox giving a combined mileage of 39.9 kmpl (as claimed by the company).
The carburettor used in the bike is a 32mm diameter unit from Venturi. This is the only bike in the segment which offers an option for a kick-start which comes in handy when the battery drains out.
2) Efficient Braking
In this segment and price point, this is the only bike to offer both front and rear disc brakes, plus 1-channel ABS as standard. The front end is handled by a 276mm disc while the rear has a 220mm disc brake.
3) Informative Instrument Console
The console on the bike is an easy-to-read LCD panel with blue back-light. The large tachometer is an analogue dial on the left while the LCD on the right shows the current speed of the bike and other information. The other tell-tale indicators are present above the LCD panel which inform the rider about the due service, neutral gear, high beam, ABS, and turn signals.
4) Peppy Performance
The bike weighs only 148 kg. This makes it very light in comparison to the power that it offers. The low weight and high power make it quick to move from rest, bringing it at par with, if not giving it an edge over, the other bikes in the segment which have a higher power. The Xtreme 200R has a claimed speed of 112 kmph.
5) Wide Tyres
The bike sports wide tires, with a 100/80-17” at the front and a 130/70-R17” at the back. The Xtreme comes with tubeless tires and alloy wheels as standard which works in their favor.
6) Excellent Pricing
Saving the best for the last, the price of the Xtreme is one of the most attractive features of the bike. It has been launched at a price of Rs 89,900 (ex-showroom) with all the features that have been mentioned above. This puts it against the likes of Bajaj Pulsar 180 and the TVS Apache RTR 180 while the 200cc engine and performance of the bike put it against the elder siblings of the two bikes, the NS200 and the RTR 200.
Cons of Xtreme 200R
1) Outdated & Boring Design
The design of the bike is quite basic, something that could be expected from a 150cc bike. Unlike the Apache RTR 200 and the Pulsar NS200, which are a pure head-turner, the Xtreme could pass by you and wouldn’t peak your interest.
The sportiness of the bike could have been improved by a split seat but Hero chose to stick to the single seat. The headlamp on the front of the bike is a halogen unit in comparison to the LED one that is offered on other bikes in the same class.
2) 1-Channel ABS
Even though it is offered as standard on this bike, it is only a single-channel unit in comparison to the dual-channel one that could have been offered. This can cause a safety issue with the rear tire slipping at the time of accidental rear braking.
3) Air-Cooled Engine
The engine uses a carburettor instead of fuel-injection for pumping the fuel in the engine. Also, the engine is air-cooled, which is quite basic, and could have been offered with an oil-cooled unit, at the least.
