Hero XPulse 200 will launch sometime in the future, but no one knows when not even Hero.
Hero XPulse 200 was showcased for the first time at EICMA 2017 as a concept adventure motorcycle. After that Hero showcased the production-ready motorcycle at 2018 Auto Expo. Hero XPulse 200 was joined by a road going tourer version called XPulse 200T. The company later announced that both XPulse 200 and XPulse 200T will launch during the festive season of 2018. But it didn’t happen.
What occurred during the festive season was that few test mules of Hero XPulse 200 and 200T were spied. You can read more about the spy shots Here.
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Coming back to February 2019, it’s being more than One full year since the adventure bikes were showcased in the country, that too in production ready attire. The XPulse 200T looks downright bland and unnecessary. XPulse 200T could do better with a half-fairing.
The XPulse will derive power from Xtreme 200’s 199.6 cc, single cylinder, 2-valve engine. The Motor churns out a healthy 18.4 bhp @8000 rpm and 17 Nm @6500 rpm. The gearbox will most probably be a 5-speed unit because Hero hasn’t launched any bike with a 6-speed unit. XPulse 200 might receive 200 cc engine in a different state of tune to tackle off-roading and a taller 5th gear for comfortable touring.
Hero XPulse 200 will come equipped with long travel suspension at both front and rear. The front rim will be 21-inch and rear wheel will have to settle with a 17 or 18-inch diameter. However, the tyres are dual purpose so that it will be easy to ride the bike on natural terrain. Not to mention the spoked wheels which are considered best in the case of off-road activities.
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XPulse 200 will be equipped with a fully digital meter with Bluetooth connectivity, a turn-by-turn navigation system, and single-channel ABS. The expected price of XPulse 200 is Rs 1.10 to 1.20 Lakh ex-showroom.
This touring friendly motorcycle from Hero looks a bit bland as long telescopic forks coupled with smaller 17-inch front wheel is leaving a lot of empty space in between. The design is also boring with a plain fuel tank. The company should have given at least given a half-fairing to the XPulse 200T. A half-fairing would have improved aesthetics and also save the rider from windblast at higher speeds.
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The bike also misses out on a large and adjustable visor, saddlebag mounting and top box mounts. Hero MotoCorp might sell these features as optional accessories but as a matter of fact, these are a must add-on for a touring bike. The XPulse 200T will be little cheaper than Hero XPulse 200 and may come at a price tag of Rs 1.05 Lakh, ex-showroom.
Possible cause of Delay
The Splendor maker might be running extensive testing of the Adventure Motorcycles on different terrains. Testing a product for final production takes a lot of time especially for those bikes which will be driven on roads less traveled.
One can argue that the development of BS-6 engine could be the real reason behind delaying of the Hero XPulse 200 launch in the country. The BS-6 emission norms will be effective from 1st April 2020. Changing component vendor and then the time taken in testing newly developed components could also be one of the reasons.
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All in all, Hero will one day launch the much-needed adventure motorcycle in India. With the launch of Hero XPulse 200, it will become the cheapest off-road and adventure tourer motorcycle in the country. Right now Royal Enfield Himalayan is the only entry-level adventure tourer motorcycle available in the market. Royal Enfield Himalayan is priced at Rs 1.82 Lakh ex-showroom, Delhi. Once XPulse 200 is launched, Himalayan will be the one which will be worried the most.
Ride Safe, Ride Hard, and always wear a helmet while riding. Stay Tuned for more from the world of motorcycling.
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