KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Hero Xpulse 200 4V has two variants: Standard (Rs 1,47,391) and Pro (Rs 1,54,766)
- The Hero Xpulse 200 4V comes standard with a single-cylinder, oil-cooled, 199.6cc engine
- The Pro variant gets longer suspension travels, higher ground clearance and taller windscreen
- It is the cheapest adventure bike in India today, but a proper one at that
The Hero Xpulse 200 4V is a star for Hero MotoCorp or a crowned jewel despite not being its flagship motorcycle. This motorcycle changed the masses' perception of Hero MotoCorp from a brand known for efficient commuters to a game-changer in the performance category. The Hero Xpulse 200 4V has affirmed its stature as a capable adventure tourer. Is it the perfect stepping stone for beginners into dirt biking, or can it be an even sweeter deal? Let's take a look at all of its pros and cons. Before that do join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel to never miss out on automotive updates.
2024 Hero Xpulse 200 4V Pros
Excellent off-road handling
The Hero Xpulse 200 4V sets the tone right with its suspension, which is well-suited for off-road riding. The motorcycle's lean and tall stance is only a bonus, making it very agile and easy to ride over rough and off-road surfaces. The Pro variant of the Xpulse 200 4V, with its longer front and rear suspension travels, makes off-road surfaces even easier to handle.
Competition check: The suspension travels (250mm for the front telescopic fork and 220mm for the rear mono-shock) are longer than those of all the other sub-500cc adventure tourers.
Reliable engine
The oil-cooled, single-cylinder, 199.6cc engine of this Hero motorcycle first debuted with the Xtreme 200R and has only improved with time. The engine has proven to be reliable and can take all the beatings thrown at it during intense off-roading.
Competition check: The Xpulse 200 4V is one of the most reliable and requires the least maintenance among all adventure tourers priced in its proximity.
Sturdy hardware
Besides its longer suspension travels, the Hero Xpulse 200 4V has a few other elements that make it well-suited for off-road riding. The motorcycle comes with knobby tyres, a large 21-inch front wheel, high ground clearance, and a durable chassis, which aid in better control and stability while tacking off-road surfaces.
Competition check: Among single-cylinder adventure tourers, only the Yezdi Adventure and Royal Enfiled Himalayan have a 21-inch front wheel, besides the Xpulse.
Purposeful design
It sets the tone right with its look, which makes it a proper adventure tourer from the word go. The motorcycle's tall and lean stance, with slim panels, handlebar crash guards, and an upswept exhaust pipe, makes it look purposeful. The Pro variant stretches the bars higher with a taller windscreen, handlebar risers, and higher ground clearance.
Competition check: It weighs the least and is the only single-cylinder adventure tourer with an upswept exhaust.
2024 Hero Xpulse 200 4V Cons
Engine could have been more powerful
While the Hero Xpulse 200 4V's 199.6cc engine impresses with its durability, it feels like a hurdle in the adventure tourer's overall capabilities. This engine feels out of breath while riding faster over longer highway rides, and even in some instances during off-roading, it could do with more power.
Competition check: With 18.9 bhp and 17.35 Nm, the Hero Xpulse 200 4V is India's least powerful adventure tourer.
LED headlamp lacks brightness
This bike was one of the first locally manufactured adventure tourers to get an LED headlamp. While this LED headlamp was revised in the latest update of the Xpulse 200 4V, it still lacks the required brightness while riding in darker hours.
Competition check: The Xpulse 200 4V was India's first mass-market adventure motorcycle to feature an LED headlamp.
No tubeless tyres
It faces the same problem as most adventure tourers with spoke wheelsit comes with tube-type tyres as standard. While the knobby tread pattern proves its excellence over off-road surfaces, the fact that the tyres are not tubeless keeps the fear of punctures alive whenever you wish to take it over rougher surfaces.
Competition check: Like the Yezdi Adventure and Royal Enfield Himalayan, the Hero Xpulse 200 4V has spoke wheels. However, the BMW G 310 GS and KTM 250 Adventure have alloy wheels as standard.
Also Read: Hero Xpulse 200 4V Rally Edition City and Off-road Test Review
Verdict
While the Hero Xpulse 200 4V's overall performance could have been better for seasoned riders, beginner riders will appreciate the decent power on tap. In addition, the size and price point is also not too intimidating, making it a perfect adventurer for beginners.
