The Xtreme 160R, Hero MotoCorp’s newest motorcycle in the country was met with praises when it was unveiled in February. And the acclamation only continued for the 160cc motorcycle when we recently spent a few days with it. We were so impressed by the Xtreme 160R, we crowned it as the best motorcycle to roll out from Hero Motocorp.
With so many feathers of credibility on its hat, does a fully-faired version of the Xtreme 160R make sense? On the face of it, it certainly does, but there are a few more reasons why.
A sporty offering
There’s no denying India’s love for faired motorcycles because of the sporty appeal they exude. But is it reason enough to launch an all-new motorcycle?
Well, the best answer is in Hero’s stables itself. It has the Xtreme 200S; a faired motorcycle based on the Xtreme 200R. And according to dealers, even though the Xtreme 200S was more expensive, it seemed to be more popular thanks to its fairing and the LED headlamps. It wouldn’t come as a surprise if Hero decides to walk the same path with the Xtreme 160R.
Economies of scale
Hero Motocorp has always used one platform to spawn another product in recent times. Apart from the Xtreme 200R and Xtreme 200S there is the Xpulse 200 and Xpulse 200T. Even the Destini 125 scooter is based on the Maestro Edge 125. This helps the manufacturer cater to different needs and widen its audience reach while keeping costs in check. A faired Xtreme 160 would do just that.
Hero’s strategy
Now, a faired version of the Xtreme 160R, apart from the fairing, might not be very different and yet demand a premium over the latter’s Rs 1 lakh price tag. Nevertheless, given Hero’s pricing strategy, the faired version is highly likely to undercut its rival- the Suzuki Gixxer SF by a considerable margin. While we cannot comment on how well it would perform over the Gixxer SF in terms of sales, we do know that the motorcycle would make for an interesting option for those wanting a sportier-looking Xtreme 160R.
The Downside
Everything until now presents a hard case as to why a faired Hero Xtreme 160R makes sense. But there are also a few downsides to it. Firstly, not only does a fairing increase the overall cost of the motorcycle but also doubles up on the cost of repairing or replacing it if damaged. Then, there is extra weight the fairing will add to the motorcycle which, in its naked form, is one of the lightest in its class.
Conclusion
So, a faired Xtreme 160R (likely to be called the Xtreme 160S) would be a great option for customers looking for a faired 160cc motorcycle. It will also create competition for the Suzuki Gixxer SF which is currently the only faired motorcycle in its class. And while it would be heavier and more expensive, we believe a faired Xtreme 160 would appeal to the same set of buyers as the naked version- the young and upcoming motorcyclist.
