Hero Xpulse 200 4V Long-Term Review: 1,000km on the highway

Gallery Introduction Things I liked Things I didn’t like What’s next?Bike Stats

Introduction

Hero Xpulse 200 4V Right Front Three Quarter

A highway report on the Hero Xpulse 200 4V has been long overdue. The four-valve setup, which gives the Xpulse 200 4V an edge over the 2V version, is ideal for high revs operations and thus, for the highway. Don’t get us wrong, it’s still a capable city motorcycle and you can read all about our city experience. But several potential owners would want to take the Xpulse 200 4V for long highway rides. On any other occasion, we would use this opportunity to ride to the sunshine state, Goa and spend a couple of days on the beach. The monsoons, however, seemed to be adamant about exceeding their targets for the year.

With Goa off the cards, we have been using this Xpulse 200 4V for several Mumbai-Pune and Mumbai-Nashik runs – the former to pick up media bikes and the latter for that missal-pav. And these have resulted in about 1,000 kilometres on the highway for the Xpulse 200 4V and we learnt quite a lot about the motorcycle’s highway capabilities.

Things I liked

The most likeable thing about the Xpulse 200 4V is its 199.6cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled, four-valve engine. Although the 18.8bhp and 17.35Nm of peak torque figures aren’t too far from what the 2V version makes, it’s the way the 4V variant delivers these numbers that makes it an absolute treat on the highway. While 70kmph is effortless, 80kmph can be done all day long. You can also sit on a 100kmph, but that comes about 1,500rpm shy of the motor’s redline, and things get loud and buzzy around this point. Not that there’s a lack in the pace of acceleration but this is where you miss the sixth cog in the gearbox. At full throttle, for reference, the speedometer will point slightly north of 120kmph.

The engine returned a fuel economy of 36.5kmpl out on the highway, and this was achieved with a slightly aggressive input on the throttle. At these levels, the Xpulse 200 4V should return a range of about 475km between fuel stops. Do note that our readers and Xpulse 200 4V owners have reported an economy of 40kmpl, which gives the motorcycle a range of over 500km per full tank.

Highway runs are usually associated with luggage, and the Xpulse 200 4V’s luggage rack at the back, although compact in size, comes in handy while also saving some seating space. The aforementioned rides were done with motorcycle tail bags – a 10-litre Carbonado Mod Pac and a 32-litre Viaterra Element. Apart from the tail rack, the tube-type surrounds near the pillion footrest and the additional plastic panel behind the rear numberplate allow for better, sturdy mounting points for these tail bags. Then there’s the metal fuel tank that is compatible with magnetic tank bags like the Rynox Magnapod.

Lastly, the comfortable ergonomics and plush suspension setup make long hours in the saddle bearable and it takes at least two hours before you need a break. Standing on the footpegs is easy too, albeit not as comfortable as one would feel on the Royal Enfield Himalayan; I blame the relatively forward set footpegs on the Xpulse 200 4V. It isn’t, however, all praises for the Xpulse 200 4V.

Things I didn’t like

Hero Xpulse 200 4V Left Rear Three Quarter

The Hero Xpulse 200 4V is good, but not perfect. The onboard navigation system, for example, is good while pointing you in the right direction and it is remarkably easy to read, even in bright daylight. It doesn’t, however, knows the difference between the roads that are solely dedicated for cars – the Eastern Freeway in Mumbai or the Pune Expressway, for example. The estimated time of arrival (ETA), too, takes its own sweet time to reset.

The missing sixth cog in the gearbox can’t be emphasised enough. The motorcycle feels at home when cruising at 80kmph, but it could have been better with a sixth gear that would have allowed the Xpulse 200 4V to cruise at a higher speed. Then there’s the braking system that feels inadequate, to say the least, and you really need to plan your braking well in advance. The front, although progressive, lacks the confidence-inspiring bite. Save for these, the Xpulse 200 4V is a very competent motorcycle that can hold itself out on the highway. It packs a decent amount of performance, good luggage mounting points, and a comfortable ride – and all of it comes at a competitive price tag.

What’s next?

Hero Xpulse 200 4V Left Front Three Quarter

We have lived with the Hero Xpulse 200 4V in the city, and done several highway runs – and it indeed is impressive! Sure, there are a few flaws, but then remember that the Xpulse 200 4V comes with an unmatchable price tag and Hero MotoCorp’s widespread service network, and there isn’t anything in that price range that can hold a candle to this motorcycle.

Next time around, we will come back with a few more kilometres on the odometer before we wrap up the Xpulse 200 4V in the final report. We will tell you our overall experience with the motorcycle and whether you should purchase this adventure tourer from Hero MotoCorp or wait for the rumoured 300cc that’s around the corner.