Hero Xpulse 200 Custom Top Triple Clamp set by JCMoto: Review

The Ergonomics

We have the rally edition of the Hero Xpulse 200. It comes standard with bar risers that move the handlebar higher but closer to the rider compared to the regular Xpulse. It makes for a comfortable riding posture when commuting and sitting down. But, when riding aggressively on dirt - sitting down or standing up - the height of the bars, the reach, and the rotation leave the rider feeling cramped. It also leads to fatigue early as one has to work around the less-than-optimum rider triangle.

The JCMoto triple clamp, to begin with, helps liberate more room for the rider compared to the stock setup. It moves the bar away from the seat and closer to the top of the front forks. There are two positions for the bar mounts - 12mm and 24mm - away from the stock mounting position. The latter, naturally, is farthest away from the seat. Furthermore, the set comes with two riser rings measuring 3mm and 10mm. One can choose to use one or both to increase the handlebar height.

After a few trial and error runs, we zeroed in on the furthest away position and used both riser rings. It opened up significant space between the handlebar and the seat while improving the bar height as well. On the move, this allows us to get into the attack position with more ease. It also makes standing up upright on the pegs more relaxing. Plus, with this setup, one doesn't need to roll the handlebar forward or back. And opting for a more neutral position always lends more comfort and reduces fatigue in the wrists and arms.

Overall, the new ergos are more involving and intuitive, especially when riding standing up. It does mean the seating ergos aren’t as relaxed or commuter-like for daily, sit-down riding anymore. We must now reach for the bar instead of it coming to us. It is more work. But, it’s not uncomfortable. If anything, it makes you feel more in charge of your riding.

The Performance

The performance benefit of using the JCMoto top triple clamp is two-fold. One, it is lighter than the stock one. But, it also makes the forks more resistant to twisting or bending. Meaning when you fall, because you will when riding offroad, the new clamp will prevent the forks from getting severely misaligned. We haven’t had big spills on the Xpulse yet, but the smaller ones haven't affected the bike's ability to ride true.

The other advantage is a more stable ride over rutted terrain. The front fights us less now and feels more responsive around bends. The latter could partly be attributed to the improved stand-up ergos. But the Xpulse most certainly feels less lazy now. Working the front, for instance, is more intuitive and energetic. And playing with the rear on the throttle is easier too.

The increased room between the seat and the handlebar makes the Xpulse nicer to sit and corner with. One can move further up the tank, adding more weight to the front. It allows the front tyre to hook up even better. And no matter how far ahead we moved on the tank, the handlebar did not foul with our torso.

Conclusion

At Rs. 19,500, the JCMoto top triple clamp is not cheap. And honestly, it is not for everyone. However, it is a worthy upgrade if you like riding on dirt. It takes away the need to buy handlebar risers; it allows you to tweak your riding ergos better; and because of the way it makes the Xpulse behave and react to your inputs and that of the terrain, it helps build confidence to ride that bit harder on dirt. We, for one, are not going back to the stock setup.

Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi