Hero Xtreme 200S Review
Bike Tested:Hero Xtreme 200S; Road Test No. 1092; Test Location: Buddh International Circuit
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 1,20,972/-
Xtreme 200S is the most affordable fully-faired motorcycle you can get in India
Hero MotoCorp invited us to ride the Xpulse twins in Bangalore but kept its launch at BIC. We were sceptical why did they do this? But then they finally revealed their 4th motorcycle in the 200cc category, the Xtreme 200S. Based on the Xtreme 200R we got to have a quick experience with it on the track. Let’s find out what is really new in the Xtreme as the 200S model.
Motor Quest: Hero MotoCorp launched the Xtreme 200R last year in 2018 by introducing a motorcycle in the 200cc category. This year, Hero has gone ahead with not just one but three new motorcycles in the 200cc category which can cater to all type of customers.
Except for the fairing, everything else looks exactly similar to Xtreme 200R
Styling – With a quick look, anyone would be able to say that the styling is inspired by a mini Ducati. All we had were red bikes and the fairing design is very neat and does go along very well. Twin LED headlights mounted within a single housing along with a small bubble visor complete the front design. Except for the fact that everything else like the alloys and tail design is picked from the Xtreme 200R. However, the exhaust is slightly smaller and while the 200R has a dual-tone colour scheme, the 200S gets a single shade colour all over. Overall, the 200S has better road presence even though the dimensions are the same except for the length which is only because of the fairing. Along with the new fairing, the panel which comes below the seat now has a carbon-fibre finish which looks quite premium.
Brand new digital console has bluetooth connectivity too
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – For the first time Hero has introduced a fully digital instrument cluster. This cluster is loaded with information but is smaller in size and the numbers are cluttered too. But they are readable enough and visible in bright daylight. All the mandatory details are available including a gear-position indicator which is new and a bluetooth navigation information section. You can download an app to your phone and connect with the console which can then give you precise directions once you have entered the destination. The switchgear is also picked up from the Xtreme 200R and seems of decent quality.
795 mm of seat height which is exact similar to that of the Xtreme 200R
Ergonomics – The ergonomics triangle of the Xtreme 200S is exactly the same as Xtreme 200R. Even the seat height is at 795 mm which is the same. The handlebar is short and you don’t lean in but rather sit upright. The only difference the rider would face is that the fairing seems to have some bulk and taller riders would have some more space to lock the knee. The test bike on the track didn’t have mirrors but at the launch, the mirrors were placed on the handlebars. All of this makes it pretty clear that both the Xtremes are ergonomically alike!
No changes have been made to the engine, has a very flat torque
Performance – As the Xtreme 200S and 200R share the exact same engine, there is no difference in power and throttle response. We expected that the Xtreme 200S would at least get fuel-injection but it does its job with the same carb unit. Power delivery isn’t strong but this engine has a very linear torque delivery throughout the rev-range and it does feel bogged down when pushed to its limit. Although the fairing helps quite a bit as the Xtreme 200S is able to attain a slightly better top speed. In this case, the vibrations which can be felt on the footpegs and the handlebars increase and get conveyed via the fairing too. The performance department has had no changes at all.
Very comfortable dynamics, more suited to the road than the track
Riding Dynamics – As the ergonomics are same, the riding dynamics are also the same and the total increase in weight is just 1 kg which is at the front. The weight difference doesn’t really bother the dynamics as the bike leans well and holds the line similar to its naked sibling. The suspension setup is the same and it feels slightly hard, however, well suited for the track. The tyres come from MRF and they are also the same set we have seen on the 200R. They grip decently well but take some time to warm up. Braking performance is likeable and the feedback is also quite good. It gets the same single-channel ABS unit from the 200R and it is not switchable. Overall, riding the 200S feels sportier because of the fairing but apart from that, it feels exactly the same as the 200R.
For the price, it’s a very appealing package
Verdict – A little bit of track time and some moments spent with the bike, I can tell Hero is set to cater the mass market with different motorcycles which have the exact same performance. The Xtreme 200R and the 200S aren’t different but the addition of the fairing makes it very appealing. The Xtreme 200S is for someone in the market looking out for a fully-faired commuter for the looks and does not really want a very powerful motorcycle. Good enough to get the job done and carry a style statement along!
Styling may be subjective, but it does have some road presence
What’s Cool
* Priced very attractively
* Feedback from the brakes is likeable
* Ergonomics and dynamics are very comfortable
* Looks brilliant, has the pedigree to turn a lot of heads
What’s Not So Cool
* Performance for the engine isn’t exciting
* Vibrations kick-in as we get close to the redline
* Feels very basic and does not get any exciting hardware
It is still not the flagship Hero, but it is the flagship Xtreme
Hero Xtreme 200S Specifications
* Engine: 199.6cc, Single-Cylinder, Air-Cooled, 2-Valves, SOHC
* Power: 18.4 PS @ 8000 RPM
* Torque: 17.1 Nm @ 6500 RPM
* Transmission: 5-Speed
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Fuel Consumption: 36-40 km/l
* Frame: Diamond Frame
* Tyres: 100/80/17 (Front), 130/70/17 (Rear), MRF
* Suspension: 37 mm Telescopic Forks (Front), 7-Step Ajustable Mono Shock (Rear)
* Brakes: 276 mm Disc (Front), 220 mm Disc (Rear), Single-Channel ABS
Hero Xtreme 200S Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 2062 mm x 778 mm x 1106 mm
* Seat Height: 795 mm
* Ground Clearance: 165 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 12.5-litres
* Kerb weight: 149 kgs
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