Hero XPulse 200 has been showcased in production ready version at Auto Expo 2018. A recent report also claims that it will launch in India around August 2018. Hero MotoCorp has stayed away from bigger displacement bikes from a long time and their comeback seems pretty sure from the new Xtreme 200R.
Hero XPulse is not like an everyday bike and that seems even more clear from its high placed fender and huge front wheel with spoke rim. Hero first tried with Impulse but it was just 150cc and could not take performance to the level which riders expected. Features like digital console with inbuilt navigation makes it the best machine that one can expect around this segment.
XPulse is a member of Impulse family but this time, X in its name means an Xtreme sourced engine for more power than ever. Hero MotoCorp is using the same 200cc, single cylinder engine producing 18.34 BHP at 8500 rpm and 17.2 Nm at 6000 rpm.
The engine comes mated to a 5-speed gearbox. They could tune the same for more torque at lower rpm and thus, a perfect off-road machine is imagined through this motorcycle. Hero XPulse carries fuel injection and helps it maintain the refined feel that seems lacking from other product in the company lineup.
Himalayan is presently the most affordable motorcycle to go off-road while launch of XPulse could change the way people see mild off-roading in India. It will be much lighter and thus, expect impressive performance on odd surfaces.
The concept was loaded with Metzeler off-road tyres and long travel forks for most effective riding experience. If Hero enters the 200cc segment, price war will start for sure between models like TVS Apache and Pulsar NS200. Availability of ABS will be limited to single channel unit.