Introduction
The Hero Xtreme 160R has been with us for a few months now and like a typical commuter, it has been serving the purpose of commuting since day one. From my office to home, local chores and runabouts, I have ridden the Xtreme 160R 4V pretty much every day. But, why limit it to just that? After all, we can take it for long rides, or at least, a 200-300km intercity trip. So, we did just that and can now tell you how well can the Xtreme 160R 4V stretch its legs out on the highway.
What we liked
Before we begin, let's set the context first. The Xtreme 160R 4V is a 160cc bike which is good for what it means to do – take you around the city, deal with the traffic and similar tasks. If you expect it to ride comfortably, at high speeds, munch 500-600kms a day, then that is a no-go.
So, stepped out for a 300km ride on the weekend and realised it has a good saddle. On the first leg of about 150km, we rode non-stop to the breakfast destination. The Xtreme 160R’s seat felt extremely comfortable and accommodating. It has a dense foam, and the seat space is adequate if you need to slide forward or backward. Moreover, since the pillion seat is at a slight elevation, the structure acts as a small lower-back support.
Then, if you ride at speeds of 80-85kmph, the Xtreme will cruise without any signs of fatigue. At this speed, the average fuel consumption is around 36kmpl. But once you approach three-digit speeds, expect a notable drop in the aforementioned numbers. That said, even after our 300km ride, the Xtreme had enough fuel for me to commute to office for the three days. Not bad at all.
If you are someone who lives in Mumbai or Gurgaon for work and has to head back to the hometown on the weekends (read Pune or Hisar), then a 200-300km travel on the Xtreme 160R is doable with ease. The rear seat has adequate space and you can tie your luggage using a bungee cord too. Plus, the Xtreme’s high beam comes in handy and illuminates the road ahead well if you are planning to start your ride early in the morning.
What we disliked
Once you are riding at the above-mentioned speeds, the Xtreme 160R is inching closer to its limits and has very little room to accelerate further for overtakes without feeling strained. Even if you do find it convenient with the engine ringing at its upper limit, the fuel consumption will drop to about 30-32kmpl. Considering the bike has a 12-litre fuel tank, the overall range too would close down to the 340km vicinity.
Then, the stand-up ergonomics. Since the handlebar is placed slightly away from the rider, the Xtreme 160R’s rider triangle is on the sportier side. You sit comfortably and are engaged while riding in the city but when standing up on the pegs, the rider has to lean forward. This affects the balance and the sense of proportion you would need, to feel in control of the bike.
Additionally, an average rider of my height – 5’10 – has to have his/her knees bent and most of the weight is drawn to the wrist. This isn’t a comfortable setup for long distances if you come across bad and broken roads.
Moreover, since there is no connectivity feature on this variant, you will need to mount your phone separately if entering uncharted territory.
What's next?
By now, the Hero Xtreme 160R is inching close to 7,000km on the odo and in the final report, we will tell you whether to purchase this bike. For reference, it costs Rs. 1.27 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The next report will summarise various factors which will include its pros, shortcomings, highlights, and our overall experience.
Additionally, we will also tell you which other alternatives you could look for instead of the Hero Xtreme 160R.
Product details
Make: Hero MotoCorp
Model: Hero Xtreme 160R 4V Premium
Kilometres covered this month: 2,500km
Fuel efficiency: 40-48kmpl (Tested)
Photography by: Kaustubh Gandhi
Gallery
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Hero Xtreme 160R 4V Left Front Three Quarter
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