2018 Hero Passion XPro Launch Ride Review

What's new?

The Passion XPro always been an 110cc motorcycle, but that motor was from Honda. This time, Hero MotoCorp has equipped the new Passion XPro with their own engine, the 110cc single-cylinder air-cooled motor. This is the same engine that does the duty on the Splendor 110 and the 2018 Passion Pro (which was also unveiled today). So we’re talking 9.3bhp at 7500rpm and maximum torque of 9Nm at 5500rpm. This mill is mated to a four-speed gearbox that has all all-down shift patterns. The 2018 Passion XPro too benefits from the fuel saving i3S (idle start-stop system) technology. Hero claims that this new bike offers 12 per cent more power and torque over its predecessors. The bike can do 0-60kmph in 7.65 seconds.

Designwise, the new Passion XPro looks bolder, thanks to better styling, LED tail-lamp and a sharper headlamp unit. The tank shrouds have been tweaked to match the new style. The dual-tone coloured mirrors is a nice touch. The rear brake lever gets a metal siding, to give better control during braking. The instrument cluster on the Passion XPro is far better than what we see on the Passion Pro. The bike is available in two variants, disc and drum. The suspension has been borrowed from the older Passion XPro, telescopic in the front and dual shock absorbers at the rear.

The ride feel

The overall ergonomics of the Passion XPro is just like the Passion Pro. But due to a different fuel tank design, it feels as if the rider is sitting a bit higher than usual. The seating triangle is perfect for relaxed and long hours riding. The springs on this bike has been stiffened, giving it a firm ride, marginally. 

The 110cc motor has been turned to offer good amount of torque in the low and mid-range. The engine characteristics on the Passion XPro is just like the Passion Pro. It’s possible to ride as low as 25kmph in the fourth gear. There’s decent grunt as well, which takes care of the extra pillion load. The motor feels smooth in the low revs, but as you go higher on the revs, the handlebar, footpegs and fuel tank gets buzzy. The clutch is light to use, but the gearshifts could have been better. Luckily, the front disc brake on the Passion XPro works the way it is supposed to. It offers good bite and feel. The rear, too, has decent power to stop the bike on its own without any drama. 

Verdict

While we appreciate Hero giving the Passion XPro a much needed redesign, it still not the best looking motorcycle in the segment. It offers a decent balance between looks, performance and features, but the success of it will depend with the way the bike is priced. It will definitely be more expensive than the Passion Pro, but hopefully not at a price point that will make the bike irrelevant to the market.