NS Hero XPulse 200 It is a one of its kind entry-level motorcycle. It is a versatile, do-it-all personality with the adventurous ability, but at the same time carrying out everyday duties quite efficiently, on the tarmac. And now, the Hero XPulse 200 has received its first significant update, and it’s much more than just new colors and fancy new graphics. The most significant change is the 199.6 cc single-cylinder engine, which now gets a four-valve head, and offers slightly more power and torque. And so, its name gets a new suffix, the Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve,
Read also: All you need to know about Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve
The Hero XPulse 200 4Valve intends to improve on an already capable, entry-level adventure touring motorcycle, adding more refinement and improved mid-range performance.
The idea is to improve on the two-valve XPulse 200’s already quite capable, go-anywhere attitude. Where earlier two-valve models fell short, it was highway cruising capability as well as some punch in the mid-range. The four-valve motor promises more refinement, and with a change in gear ratio, promises to address those areas.
The LED headlight now provides 20 percent better illumination, an area the two-valve XPulse 200 lacked.
The oil-cooler is also slightly larger, with a 7-fin design, to aid in better heat management. And there are other practical, and cosmetic changes as well, including a headlight that throws better light. Does it make for a better riding experience? We got a leg up on the new Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve to get an idea of what it was all about.
Read also: Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve Launched at ₹ 1.28 Lakh
The new Hero XPulse 200 4Valve retains the same dimensions but gets new dual-tone colors and graphics. The curb weight has increased by 1 kg and the seat height by 2 mm.
design
The overall dimensions and silhouette obviously remain the same but there are some visual and cosmetic changes, which give new appeal to the bike. The new dual-tone colors look great with the attractive body graphics.
The LCD instrument console remains the same, and gets turn-by-turn navigation through the Hero RideGuide app. The distance-to-empty read-out would have added more value.
The LCD instrument console remains the same, offering smartphone connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation through the Hero RideGuide app. A distance-to-blank read-out however adds more value to the information provided on the panel. The LED headlight looks similar, but the illumination has been improved by 20 percent, an area that has been a shortcoming in the two-valve XPulse.
Ground clearance remains the same at 220 mm, and so does the suspension and wheels as well as the tires and brakes.
Ground clearance remains the same at 220 mm, as is the aluminum skid plate. Suspension is also the same with 190 mm of travel up front and 170 mm of rear suspension travel. There is a single-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) as before, only on the front wheel, and dual-sport block pattern tyres on both the wheels to tackle the rough terrain.
The seat height has increased by 2 mm to 825 mm, and the curb weight has increased by 1 kg to 158 kg. It’s still a compact and lightweight motorcycle, and the seat height isn’t too high for average-height riders.
What has increased marginally is the curb weight, which is 1kg more with 158kg on the XPulse 200 4 valve. The seat height has also increased by 2 mm, and now stands at 825 mm. For riders of average height and build, seat height is not a cause for any concern, but riders with lower heights, especially those with less experience, may find the seat a bit tall.
Read also: Hero XPulse 200 Two-Valve Review
The 199.6 cc single-cylinder, air and oil-cooled engine now gets a four-valve head. Power has increased by 1 bhp and peak torque by 0.90 Nm.
engine and performance
The 199.6 cc engine has the same displacement, but with a four-valve head, it now makes 6 percent more power and 5 percent more torque. The four-valve engine produces 18.8 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 17.35 Nm at 6,500 rpm. In comparison, the two-valve, 199.6 cc engine produces 17.8 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 16.45 Nm at 6,500 rpm.
The transmission has been improved, with a four-valve head, and the gearing has been replaced with a 45-tooth rear sprocket.
The increase in output may seem modest, but with the four-valve head, and changed gearing (the rear sprocket size is now 45-tooth compared to 38 teeth on the two-valve model), there’s an almost obvious difference in performance and Throat feeling.
| gear ratio | XPulse 2 Valve | XPulse 4 Valve |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3.07 | 2.91 |
| 2 | 1.79 | 1.87 |
| 3 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| 4 | 1.1 | 1.04 |
| 5th | 0.95 | 0.88 |
| final shortfall | 2.92 (38/13) | 3.46 (45/13) |
Higher gear ratios (with lower numerical values) give better torque and acceleration, while lower ratios allow for higher speeds and better fuel economy. The four-valve XPulse 200’s redesigned gearing makes for quicker mid-range acceleration, but the large rear sprocket sacrifices top-end performance. The result is that the maximum speed of the two-valve and four-valve versions is more or less the same.
The four-valve engine feels more refined, with more power and faster acceleration. The changed gearing makes the mid-range performance even more special.
Right from the start, the XPulse 200 4 valve feels sore. Not only does the four-valve head offer slightly better refinement than the two-valve engine, but the redesigned gearing actually makes the XPulse 4 valve more attractive and a bit more curious. In-gear acceleration certainly feels faster than before, but what has changed for the better is a meatier mid-range torque. The throttle feels crisp, and overall acceleration and revs feel higher than the four-valve engine, and it has a distinctly throaty-sounding intake howl compared to the two-valve engine.
The Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve will spend a lot of time on the tarmac, commuting daily, but will occasionally double as a highway companion. Our test bike showed a maximum indicated speed of 123 kmph.
But it’s also the highway where the XPulse 200 4 valve sometimes needs to do some duty to cover long distances. After all, a two-wheeled adventure sometimes requires quite a bit of riding on ‘interesting’ terrain, and roads, or trails. One area where the two-valve engine falters is in top-end performance as well as mid-range power. Yes, it can accelerate to 120 kmph, but it is the happiest thing to sit at 85-90 kmph on the highway for a long time, no further.
Slightly better top-end performance would have made overtaking on the highway easier, and cruising for long hours a lot easier.
In that area, the four-valve engine feels a little too fast to reach 80-90kph, but sadly the top-end performance doesn’t feel like something with any significant gains. It’s not about chasing high top speeds, but more about tractability and highway responsiveness. The better top-end response (and performance) would have certainly made it easier to overtake on the highway. And at the end of a hard day’s riding, it would have made a more enjoyable and perhaps a little less tiring day for the rider.
Read also: Hero XPulse 200 Rally Kit First Ride Review
The Hero XPulse 200 4V is still a lightweight and compact motorcycle, qualities that make it good for off-road riding, and don’t intimidate new riders into adventure riding.
ride and handling
The XPulse 200 4 Valve is still a light and compact motorcycle, and the riding position feels more or less the same, as no changes have been made to the ergonomics. The slight increase in seat height is hardly noticeable, and indeed, taller riders will welcome the XPulse 200 4 Valve’s slightly taller-ish perch. The riding position offers a commanding view of the road ahead, and the wide handlebar provides great leverage when sitting in traffic and at highway speeds.
When the road ends, and the fun begins, you’ll forget and forgive the lack of top-end performance! Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve offers a great package as an entry-level adventure bike in a budget.
The suspension soaks up all kinds of bumps, speedbreakers and broken road sections without any whispers. And when the road ends, and the fun begins, you’ll forget and forgive the lack of top-end performance! The dual-sport rubber provides great traction, and on loose terrain, the front end has enough traction to keep things under control. The beefy mid-range from the four-valve engine allows you to take out the tail with more ease, if that’s the kind of shenanigans you want to engage in while playing in the dirt.
Hero XPulse 200 4 valve provides ample suspension travel and ground clearance for a pleasant ride in the dirt. For those wanting more, there’s always the optional Rally Kit, which is expected to offer better tyres, longer seat height and more suspension travel.
Suspension travel and ground clearance are more than enough to overcome all kinds of off-road obstacles, jumps at small heights in the trail. Handling is neutral and sure, and the XPulse 200 delivers a package that’s friendly, fun, and easy to get into. With changed gearing (45/13) compared to the 38/13 on the two-valve version, the four-valve XPulse 200 offers a bit more mid-range. The performance isn’t very important, but is definitely noticeable and appreciable!
Weighing in at 158 kg, the Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve offers a lightweight and compact package, ideal for beginners to embark on off-road riding as well.
Decision
The new Hero XPulse 200 4 valve has become a bit expensive with its changes. In fact, it is Hero MotoCorp’s most expensive motorcycle. For just ₹5,000 less at the showroom price, the two-valve variant is still available on sale, but is likely to be replaced by a four-valve model in the near future.
Priced at ₹1,28,150 (ex-showroom), the Hero XPulse 200 4Valve offers a great option even for experienced riders, as a second or third bike to ride dirt trails outside the city for a few weekends It’s fun.
0 notes
Priced at ₹ 1,28,150 (ex-showroom), the Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve is still a very good entry-level adventure bike. It’s a great package to start off-road riding, or even to indulge in some weekend off-road fun as a second or third biker. With a little more top-end performance, it would have made all the difference to make the Hero XPulse 200 a truly exceptional and versatile bike!
| Specifications | Hero XPulse 200 2 Valve | Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve |
|---|---|---|
| engine displacement | 199.6 cc | 199.6 cc |
| max power | 17.8 bhp @ 8,500 rpm | 18.8 bhp @ 8,500 rpm |
| peak torque | 16.45 Nm @ 6,500 rpm | 17.35 Nm @ 6,500 rpm |
| valve per cylinder | 2 | 4 |
| Kerb weight | 157 kg | 158 kg |
| seat height | 823 mm | 825 mm |
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