Hero Xtreme - Living off the edge

Looks and Styling

The pictures on the internet weren't awe-inspiring making me think it was the same old Xtreme with some small changes and a new stickering job. It was when I compared the pictures of the old bike with this new one that I actually could spot the differences. Seeing the bike in the flesh I realised it demands another look to actually notice the all revisions Hero had made. These advancements may be small but are important ones which lend a fresh character to the motorcycle and have transformed it into a sharper looking Xtreme.

If we start from the rear section of the Xtreme, the most evident change is the new LED tail lamp. I preferred the lamps from the predecessor with integrated side indicators - it is a rare feature for Indian motorcycles to have. This bike, however, gives it a miss. The new indicators on the rear fender are something that every other motorcycle has, but then again, the new design of the LED tail lamps with light guides still impressed me as they flashed on braking. The design of the rear fender and grab rails has changed while the edgy side cowls on the tail section look nice and sharp.

The incorporation of black colour in the side cowls and rear sets compliments the dual finish sporty muffler, while the end can is painted in matte finish. On the other side, the exposed drive chain with gold sprocket adds a little bling, while the saree guard in black looks neat. The design of the five double-spoked alloys is the same and gets black paint.

Hero has done away with the tank shrouds the previous model had and the current tank design, though tall, gives a good feel with the properly cut leg creases. The belly pan or the engine cowl is gone and the reflector is on the front fork (the previous one had it on the fender). The front fender, though gets minimal change, is sharp and gels well with the entire body design. The new headlight now misses the integrated side indicators and though the design hasn't changed much, the new high brow pilot lamp adds flair to the not-so-appealing design. The bike is available in five colours - mercuric silver, jazz blue, fiery red, panther black and magma orange with a subtle-looking stickering job all over. I was stopped twice by two different individuals, one who was riding a Honda Unicorn and the other a Yamaha FZ, both asked me about the silver Xtreme I was riding in Goa and appreciated the looks of the motorcycle.

Instrument cluster and other features

The front view boasts of the new high brow pilot lamp which looks intimidating when switched on. The headlight still misses out on the DC ignition system seen on most bikes in the 150cc segment. But the throw and spread of light is good enough.

The instrument cluster, I believe, is better than the other siblings and one of the best in class. The blue background light of the console looks too bright at night but is soothing during the day. The new design with silver accents features an analog tachometer, a digital speedometer, clock and a fuel gauge. There is a side stand indicator in the middle, while the other markers for high beam, side indicators, neutral light and a service due reminder are present on the sides. The digital clock gets a nice font and is perfectly visible during day and night.

The 2014 Xtreme features an active LED ring around the key mount which is an immobilizer light that keeps glowing even when bike keys are removed. It gets unnecessary attention even when the bike is parked, but it is a useful feature. Another excellent feature is the 12V charger placed under the seat - the Xtreme is the only motorcycle in the 150cc segment of motorcycles in India to get this. The switch gear quality is good but the plastic used on the instrument panel and other parts could have been better. The shape of the mirrors is a bit unusual and doesn't provide much visibility though the mirrors are stable and don't vibrate much.

Engine and Gearbox

The Xtreme uses the same tried and tested air-cooled 149cc single-cylinder engine that produces 14.4bhp of power at 8500rpm and 12.8Nm of torque at 6500rpm. The motor is mated to the same five-speed manual gearbox and like before, the gear shifts still need a lot of effort.

Nevertheless, the engine refinement is still the same and even at high revs it is smooth. The engine is energetic, vigorous and pushes the 145kg bike forward briskly. The electric start or as Hero calls it the AMI, (Advanced Microprocessor Ignition) system, effortlessly fires up the motor while the kick-start is still retained. The bike misses the engine kill switch which most manufacturers have equipped their bikes with today. It returns a decent 45-50kmpl fuel economy on an average after riding in different conditions such as in the city and even on the highway.

Ride and handling

When one buys a motorcycle he checks if he looks good on a motorcycle and how good the ride between his legs is. I must say the Xtreme is one of the best motorcycles for the riding position. It neither leans towards the sporty side nor is too commuter-ish making it easy for a rider to adjust to it. However, the previous split seat is gone and the current single seat tapers upwards towards the tank. At first it gives a feeling that it gives good thigh support but it is a bit uncomfortable. The seat is too firm for my liking, also it is a bit too wide and so even putting the foot down is discomforting. This becomes a nuisance in traffic as one has to constantly plant the leg down, and the thigh keeps rubbing against the seat. On the other side, the thigh creases on the tank are neatly cut and give enough space for the rider to place his legs in the right position. Pillion seating and position is good and the split grab rails look stylish while doing their job effectively.

Talking about the suspension, very few bikes in the 150cc segment have lately given me the confidence to travel on the battered roads in India, like this one. The Xtreme gets a good front telescopic hydraulic type suspension and has a travel good enough to take rough roads at varying speeds. The rectangular swing-arm combined with a five- step adjustable gas reservoir suspension at the back does a wonderful job as well. I think the position of the rear brake lever is a bit too high and if the company could have lowered the angle, the rider could have placed his foot with comfort for a long time. Now on long rides, the foot is bent and feels uneasy.

The 18-inch alloy wheels with Ceat Secura Zoom tyres are wide enough and grippy. They held on to the road pretty well even in wet riding conditions. The braking is exceptionally good, the 240mm front disc is as good as ever and with the optional 220mm disc brake at the rear it feels much better than its competitors.

Verdict

It is difficult to comment if the Xtreme will be able to replicate the fan following the original CBZ had, but this motorcycle is surely carrying forward the legacy. Not just youngsters but middle-aged men will also like this motorcycle. So can the bike live off the egde? Yes, quite literally! We took the bike to the most remote places in Goa, rode through super smooth highways and bad terrains, wheelied, stoppied, skid the motorcycle and even rode it down the stairs. The bike faired quite well and yes, lives up to its name - Xtreme.

Again, leaving aside the rest of these antics we did to check if it lives up to its name, the Hero MotoCorp Xtreme emerges as a winner in the 150cc segment of motorcycles in India. Right from engine refinement, ride and handling, looks, quality and features provided (like engine immobilizer and charger that are not present on any other 150cc motorcycle in India), the manufacturer has developed a very competitive product. For an ex-showroom price of Rs 70,322 the Hero Xtreme offers a reasonably good package. Also with a brand name of Hero, a prospective buyer should not hesitate even for a second while considering this motorcycle over other 150cc motorcycles like the Bajaj Pulsar 150, Honda Trigger or even the more expensive Yamaha FZ and the Gixxer.