Bike India – August 2019

IndiaSpecTalk Roadtest#204

HeroXpulse 200

Price:Rs1.05lakh(ex-showroom)

Overallstarrating

Performancetestingby:AnoshKhumbatta

DIMENSIONS

Width: 850 mmKerbWeight: 154 kg

Battery:12V/ 7.0Ah

Height

1,257

mm

Saddle

Height

823

mm

Length2,223mm

Wheelbase1,412mm

GroundClearance 220 mm

ENGINE

Configuration:Air-cooled,singlecylinder

Valve-train:SOHC,twovalves

Displacement:199.6cc

Borex Stroke:66.5mmx 57.5mm

Compressionratio:10:01

Fuelling:Electronicfuel-injection

MaximumPower:18.4hpat8,000rpm

MaximumTorque:17.1Nmat6,500rpm

TRANSMISSION

Clutch:Wet,multiplate

Gears:Five-speed

PrimaryDrive:Gear

FinalDrive:Chain

GearshiftPattern:Onedown,fourup

CHASSIS

Type:Diamondframe

Frontsuspension:37-mmtelescopicfork,

190 mmtravel

Rearsuspension:Monoshock,ten-step

preloadadjustable, 170 mmtravel

Frontbrake:276-mmdisc,twin-piston

caliper,ABS

Rearbrake:220-mmdisc,single-piston

Nissincaliper

Frontwheel:21-inch,wirespoke

Rearwheel:18-inch,wirespoke

Fronttyre:90/90-21CEATGrippXL

Reartyre:120/80-18CEATGrippXL

Rake/trail:26.7o/110mm

FUELEFFICIENCY

Highway:NA

City:NA

Overall*:NA

TankCapacity: 10 litres

Range:NA

* Overallis75%cityridingand25%highway

SPEEDOMETERERROR

Gear TrueSpeed Indicated

Speed

1 37.26km/h 40 km/h

2 63.78km/h 68 km/h

3 87.21km/h 93 km/h

4 102.42km/h 108 km/h

5 111.46km/h 120 km/h

BRAKING

60 km/htozero:17.17metres/1.99s

80 km/htozero:28.54metres/2.70s

ACCELERATION

Standing¼Mile(0-400m):

19.80s @100.55km/h

ROLL-ON 3rd 4th 5th

30-70km/h 6.99 9.69 12.74

TopSpeed:111.46km/h(achieved)

SPEED

(km/h)

TIME(seconds)

1.01

2.65

5.33

9.68

19.46

INDIARATING

Design&Style: 

Powertrain: 

Performance: 

FuelEfficiency: NA

Safety: 

RideQuality: 

Handling: 

Braking: 

Bike India’s test and performance data is the sole copyright of Next Gen Publishing Pvt Ltd. No part of the data or text can

be used in any form for any purpose or promotion or advertisement without the explicit written permission of the editor.

TheXpulse200 has filled

itspredecessor’s shoes

wellandalso carries

a certaincharm of its

ownthatgives you more

confidenceoff-road

masterybeginswherethetarmacends. Never have I ever been
soeagertogeta motorcycledirty.The motorcycle’s well-
balancedweight,linearandpredictable throttle response, long-
travelsuspension,andversatileridertriangle threw open a world
ofpossibilities,encouragingmetogo all out and have fun.
Rockytrailsweretraversedwithoutdifficulty, jumps were
performedwithconfidence,andpuddles were splashed through
withglee.SlidingtheXpulsearoundunder normal conditions
doesrequirea certainlevelofskillbecause the engine does not
havethegrunttosupportsuchhooliganism. So, I introduced it
toa grassyfieldfilledwithslush.With traction considerably
reduced,it waseasiertogetthetailout. Holding it there and
driftingaroundwasalsoeasythanksto the linear throttle
responseandlightfeelat theclutchlever.
Therearea fewthingsthatcouldhave made the Xpulse
exceptionalinsteadofgreat.Likethe Impulse, the Xpulse also
feelslikeit couldhavehandleda more powerful engine and
thatwouldhavedefinitelymadeit irresistible. Pillion comfort
is decentforshortridesbutthesmall seat and heat from the
exhaustmaybeenoughreasonforthem to consider taking the
busforlongtrips.

TheImpulsewas,perhaps,tooearly for its time and was
certainlyappreciatedmoreafterit was discontinued. Today the
situationis different:moremotorcyclists have begun riding for
leisureandtherehasbeena noticeable rise in the number of off-
roadenthusiastsaswell.TheXpulse200 has filled its
predecessor’sshoeswellandalsocarries a certain charm of its
ownthatgivesyoumoreconfidenceoff-road. It invites you to
wringthethrottle,moveinclosertothe tank, and tackle corners
ina motocross-inspiredfashion.Oryou can pick a trail and just
goexploring.Eitherway,definitelya lot of fun.
Witha pricetagofRs1.05lakh(ex-showroom), the Xpulse is
fairlywell-pricedandhasthespotlight all to itself in its segment,
itsclosestcompetitorbeingtheRoyalEnfield Himalayan which
costsanadditionallakhofrupees.
‘Fun.Sheerfun.That’swhatit was,’ I told myself as I rode
backtotownonanextremelydirtyHero Xpulse 200. Generously
smearedwithmudmyself,I wasalsofar from presentable.
Furthermore,myshenaniganshadlet an uncomfortable mixture
ofwaterandmudintomyboots.Ona normal day, I’d be itching
togetbacktothecomfortofmyhome but not that day. I was
activelyconsideringturningaroundand going back to the
muddytrailI justbidgoodbyeto.Would I buy a Hero Xpulse
200?AfterthekindoffunI hadonthis motorcycle, I am
definitelyconsideringit.

76 BikeIndia^ August 2019 http://www.bikeindia.in

HERO XPULSE 200 Fi