Introduction
Hero MotoCorp is serious about its premium motorcycles. Now, it might not look it because apart from the Xpulse 200 - which has grabbed headlines in social media and managed to pull at enthusiasts’ heartstrings - it really hasn’t had any success in the category.
But now with a new CEO, a plethora of new premium products in the pipeline, and an increased focus on upgrading its retail network to meet premium customers needs, the signs are clearly there. And the company’s first salvo to announce its renewed focus towards the premium end of the market comes in the form of the Xtreme 160R 4V.
The Visuals
The basic design of the new Hero Xtreme 160R 4V mirrors that of the current two-valve model. But, there are some subtle changes. The headlamp, for one, sits slightly lower on the new bike. The tank design has changed too, but not too dramatically. It has a new belly pan. And the Pro model we have here, also comes with a two-piece seat as standard.
The 4V also gets upside down front forks which are finished in gold. We agree the USDs are more to enhance the motorcycle’s mechanical capabilities, but these still manage to do a stellar job of giving the 4V an even sportier aura than the regular model.
The Package
Not much has changed on the Xtreme 160R 4V in terms of features. You still only get single-channel ABS along with single petal discs at both ends. There are tubeless tyres with the rear having a radial construction. The 4V sports all-LED lighting including the headlight, taillight and turn indicators. And it continues to have fully digital instrumentation.
The 4V does come in three trim levels, however. The base - as the name suggests - is quite basic and doesn’t get split seats or USD front forks. Then there’s the Connected trim, which again misses out on the split-seat and USD forks, but it comes standard with Hero’s connectivity suite 2.0.
Using an e-sim, this Bluetooth-enabled feature ties in with an app on the smart phone to send out accident-related alerts if the bike has a tumble. It also alerts the owner about the bike’s whereabouts or intended theft attempts. It gets turn-by-turn navigation. And can help you locate a dealer, book a service, or call for road side assistance. One cannot, however, opt for the connectivity suite on the base or the Pro trim as an add-on feature.
Finally there’s the top-spec Pro trim that we have here. This is the version that gets split seats, USD front forks, and basic Bluetooth connectivity that allows for call alerts.
The Ride
The engine on the Xtreme 160R 4V is all-new! Compared to the current 160R 2V, the new engine uses a bigger bore and a shorter stroke, which gives it an over square layout. The engine capacity of the two bikes, however, is near identical. Plus, the new engine uses a four-valve head compared to a two-valve head on the current bike.
The new engine recipe clearly points to a power unit that is freer revving, better breathing, and more top-end friendly. Not surprisingly, the power output of the new engine is nearly 2bhp more, while the difference in torque isn’t as significant.
But Hero is chasing the commuter at the end of the day. And for a commuter, tractability is key. To achieve this, the ratios of the five-speed gearbox have been completely revised and these are now more closely stacked than on the 2V to bring back some of the low and mid-range grunt.
And it seems to have worked.
The Xtreme 160R 4V feels peppy from the word go. It gets to 80kmph in a hurry and is then happy to sit at 80-90kmph without ever feeling slow or strained. Plus getting to 100kmph on the speedo isn’t a big struggle either. It certainly feels more alive than the two-valve Xtreme. As far as top speed goes, it did run out of breath at an indicated 115kmph, but then I am heavier than your typical young and enthusiastic commuter.
As for ride and handling, the motorcycle still uses a single downtube chassis, and continues to run 17-inch alloy wheels with tubeless tyres. The brakes haven’t been touched either, and as mentioned before, it still only gets single-channel ABS.
The big change of course - at least for this Pro model - is the suspension. The front is a KYB upside-down fork while the rear is a seven-step preload adjustable monoshock. Now, the Xtreme was already a nice handling, pliant riding motorcycle, but with this update, it has gotten nicer still.
It is pliant and absorbent over potholes and bumps, and even when loaded, under braking, it doesn’t easily bottom-out adding to both comfort and stability. The rear though plush and comfy, seems more excitable than the front. It’s good for themost part, but come a series of bumps, and the rear does feel more unsettled that we would have liked.
Handling wise, the Xtreme continues to be a stable, responsive, predictable, and enjoyable motorcycle. It tips into corners without effort. And then flows through the rest of the bend, seamlessly. It changes directions quickly, and it never felt nervous or slippery. It feels well-balanced, confident, feelsome.
The brakes though could have been better. These work fine when the bike is ridden sedately offering good feel and bite. But ride with enthusiasm and the brake fade is all too obvious almost immediately. And that just ruins the rider’s confidence.
Should You Buy It?
We said this when we rode the original Xtreme 160R, and we will say it again for the 4V - buy it, it’s a no-brainer. The 4V takes up from where the 2V left off. It is quicker, more refined, and as much fun to ride if not more. It also has better road presence, it is comfier, and now it has a bigger bike feel to it. More than that - it’s now ready to take on the TVS Apache 160RTR 4V head on.
Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi
