The 160cc segment in India is a challenging one for manufacturers. It's a segment that is hardest to crack and there are reasons behind this. See, the 100-110cc users generally upgrade to the 125cc offerings and the 125cc users look at the 150cc market. So who cares about the 160cc bikes? Those who want the same comfort levels as a 150cc bike, but with better performance and features, without shelling out a higher amount. And it better look good as well. This is where the current crop of 160cc bikes, from the TVS Apache RTR 160 to the Honda xBlade are trying hard to in numbers. To make their fight even tougher, Hero has entered the party scene with their first-ever 160cc motorcycle, the Xtreme 160R.
The name 'Xtreme' does ring a bell or two right? First launched in 2006, the model saw numerous updates and iterations over the years. What you see here, however, is an all-new product and the only thing it shares with the previous models is the name. That's about it. We saw it first at the Hero World 2020 event at their R&D center on the outskirts of Jaipur and though I got to ride it for a brief time period, it was fair to reserve my judgment till an extended riding period. And I did just that last week, clocking over 300km inside Delhi NCR to make sure, we had all the answers to your unanswered pending questions. To know them, hit the play button below or continue to scroll down and read our textual Hero Xtreme 160R review.
How does it look?
I have been a fan of modern-day, naked street-fighter motorcycles. These small capacity offerings never carried such a muscular stance, complete with the package of essentials like DRLs and LED set-up. The Xtreme 160R is based on the company's 1.R concept and glad to see most of the design elements trickling down into the production version. The robotic front end seems right out of a fiction movie, with the fuel tank's wide extensions lending an extra dose of muscle when viewed from the front angle.
Talking of which, the tank gets dual-tone paint scheme and looks great from the rider's perch. It can hold 12 litres of fuel and do note, the outer part is fibre which means your turtle bags with magnetic extensions won't be fitting here at all. From the rider's saddle, the LCD screen looks great initially but I would have loved to see bigger fonts in here.
Side profile is neat and the seat rises up towards the pillion and ends in style with minimal body parts distracting you away. I particularly like the way pillion's grab rails are concealed and yet work well when needed. The little tail light and LED indicators finish up the rear.
The Hero Xtreme 160R comes with 100mm wide front and 130mm wide rear (MRF) tubeless tyres and the alloy wheels get a cool looking red strip all around. Nice touch there! What's missing in the overall design? Maybe a little engine cowl to add to the aggression at a later stage?
Spot on ergonomics!
I rode the bike for about four days in varied riding conditions. I must admit, I am no more a seasoned rider and carry a body frame that's larger than most riders out there. And yet, inspite of Delhi's weather being humid and sultry, I wasn't really complaining riding the bike day in and day out. The little lower back support from the seat, flat-tish and wide handlebars and lovely tank scoops go a long way in ensuring a sporty, yet comfortable riding stance. You do not end up putting too much weight on your wrists or shoulders and can ride through traffic like a game of Pac-man, without even trying hard. This is one of the strong points that I will come to later in the article.
What I also like is the fact that Hero is providing adjustable rear suspension, a feature we usually don't see in this price band. It just adds to the rider's preference when it comes to perfecting the balance between ride and handling as per his or her weight. Another plus point is the positioning of the LCD display - because it is stretched out to the end, even with a full-face helmet, you don't have to bend down to check the readings on the move. It remains in your sight unlike one of the 160cc bikes that is known for this little ergonomic glitch.
The heart of the matter...
This gets me to the important engine department in our Hero Xtreme 160R review. The 163cc motor churns out 15 bhp of power and 14 Nm of torque. These aren't class leading figures but there is one thing that the Xtreme 160R is proud of - lowest in segment weight. Even the commuter-ish Unicorn 160 is heavier than this bike! Lighter kerb weight means better power to weight ratio and with peak torque coming in at a lower engine speed as compared to Apache 160 and 160 4V, the Xtreme is a hoot to ride in city traffic. You can pull along in a higher gear and close in on gaps without having to downshift. A punchy low and mid-range always comes handy when you want to indulge in fast commuting. Hero has also added in the auto-sail feature
Outright acceleration is strong as well, with the 0-60 km/h sprint being achieved in 5 seconds (with my weight). However, power starts tapering off as you fly past 90 km/h and the shorter gearing means anything over 100 and you are trying too hard. For numbers, I was able to max out at 114 km/h on a flat road. For comparison sake, the RTR 160V does about 120 with my weight.
Another highlight is the smooth operation of the motor. It sounds nice and remains vibe free till about 5000rpm, beyond which you can make out sensations via the pegs, bars and the tank panels. It isn't too annoying but might be of a concern for those looking at high speed touring. 6000rpm translates into about 81-82 on the speedometer by the way. Also, for those looking at more numbers, the Xtreme 160R hits the limiter at 9500rpm in the first three gears at 39 km/h, 68 km/h and 92 km/h respectively.
Yet another area to about in our Hero Xtreme 160R review is the fuel economy department. A punchier low and mid-range means fewer gear shifts in traffic and during out 150km+ ride inside NCR on a Saturday with less traffic, the bike managed a real 52.5 kmpl on a tankful to tankful basis. The proof lies in the video that will up on our Youtube Channel.
Does it handle well?
Oh yes. Not only does the Xtreme 160R ride well in terms of absorbing road undulations, a big reason for the grin plastered on my face used be it the dynamics. Hero MotoCorp has brought on roll quite a few enthusiasts who understand what a naked streetfighter should deliver and in this regard, the bike passed with flying colours. Braking is part of any handling test and the large 276mm front and 220mm rear petal discs do a good job in dropping the anchors at higher speeds. Not only this, under emergency braking, the bike remained calm and composed.
But what needs to be talked about is the way it glides in traffic. The low weight further helps and a little push is what you need to take the intended line. The 37mm wide Showa front shocks keep you planted, even when you face undulations in the middle of a corner. Likewise, at crawling speeds, you can easily filter through standstill cars without having to keep your foot/feet down. Superb!
Features and Pricing
And finally our Hero Xtreme 160R review verdict. Breaking the psychological barrier of Rs 1 lakh was a clever piece of job. The single-disc version carries an ex-showroom price of Rs 99,950 while the dual disc (with a rear one..) is about Rs 4k expensive. All this without compromising on features like LEDs all around, hazard switch, side stand indicator, Showa front forks, adjustable rear et al. If we leave out the commuter focussed Unicorn 160, this is the second most affordable bike in the segment.
So has Hero cracked it? A big YES - this one seems to be ticking all the right boxes that a buyer looks for. Seek pure performance? Pick the RTR 160 4V. But if you want a genuine all-rounder that comes across as a better daily ride and is far more efficient, walk into a Hero showroom or hit their website right away!
