After providing a us a brief glimpse of the concept at the 2017 EICMA show, Hero MotoCorp finally showcased the production version of the Hero Xpulse today at the Auto Expo 2018. The 200cc dual-purpose motorcycle is slated to be launched by mid-2018. The company is likely to price the Xpulse between Rs 1.2 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh. It is based on the discontinued Hero Impulse, which was loved by critics, but sadly not by the masses.
So does it live up to the Hero Impulse’s legacy? For starters, the Hero Xpulse certainly grabs your attention from afar with its off-road friendly suspension, high-mounted mudguards and knobby tyres. It manages to look modern while retaining an old-school charm thanks to a long and sharp mudguard, a round LED headlamp, a teardrop-shaped fuel tank and a long single-piece saddle. However, unlike the Impulse, you get a fully digital instrument cluster and an underseat USB charger with the Xpulse.
The dual-purpose bike shares its engine with the Xtreme 200R. It's a 200cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected, air-cooled engine, which churns out 18.4PS of power at 8000rpm and 17.1Nm of torque at 6500rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
The suspension setup consists of 37mm telescopic front forks, which offer 190mm of travel, and a rear monoshock that provides 170mm of travel. Hero has equipped the Xpulse with a 21-inch spoke wheel at the front and an 18-inch wheel at the rear. The Xpulse has an aluminium skid plate and 220mm of ground clearance, which is ample enough to tackle rough terrains. With a kerb weight of just 140kg, the Xpulse promises to be light, fun and easy to ride.
Braking is managed by a single disc at the front and rear along with a single-channel ABS fitted to the front wheel.
The company is offering optional accessories like a taller windscreen, huge panniers and a luggage rack at the rear as well. Despite a significant difference in terms of engine and power output, the Xpulse's closest competitor is the Royal Enfield Himalayan.
Source: zigwheels.com
