Hero Xtreme Sports Review

Recently launched Hero Xtreme Sports is one of the most anticipated bikes in the recent times which took a while to come in showrooms. It is one of the most strong and solid 150cc bike Hero ever launched and it is one of the best looking too. The bigger question is though if it will be able to match the likes of Suzuki Gixxer.

Design

The all new Xtreme has shed lot of design elements from its sibling and looks more like lean naked sports bike. The fuel tank too has shed lot of extra flap and looks sporty now. The front of the bike looks sleek too as it eliminated bikini fairing and now looks sportier. Look closely and you would find lots of changes from plastic panels to even the engine cowl. However the ignition key placed on one end of the fairing does not makes sense.

Engine

The bike is fitted with air cooled single cylinder 149.2cc engine which is the same old Honda engine all the Hero bikes in this uses. However, the compression ratio for the same has been increased from 9.1:1 to 10:1. Due to this leap peak power now stands at 15.4PS at 8500rpm and maximum torque of 13.5Nm at 7000rpm. It takes 6.2s to reach from 0-60kmph and 26s to go from 0-100kmph which is not the quickest in the segment as Gixxer does the same job in 5.6s and 19.3s respectively. Till the speed of 60kmph Xtreme has enough torque after which it slides down gradually. Top speed for the bike is close to 111kmph which again is not the best in the segment. Due to the increase in the compression ration refinement of the bike is affected by bits which is evident while you ride the bike at high speeds.

Mileage

Hero motocorp is known for launching bikes with best fuel efficiency but with this bike it might have lost that punch. The bike could go till 48km on city roads on a litre of petrol and gives and average of 62.5kmpl on highways. Mileage is fine for the highways but on city roads it fails to save the fuel as its nearest competitor Gixxer gives much better figures of 55kmpl on city roads.

Ride and Handling

The bike is fitted with telescopic forks in the front and gas charged twin shock absorber in the back. It has softer setup that means on the good roads it could go without any problem but on bad roads the bike is not that efficient as other in the segment with stiff setup. The thin tyres ensure that it goes round the corners without any problem but it is not sticky on the roads. The softer setup gives good quality rides but when it takes big bumps or while the brakes are applied at high speeds it nosedives which is very evident for the rider. 240mm front disc brakes and 220mm disc brake in the back is well integrated and works well. Kerb weight for the bike stands at 147kg which makes it more towards heavier side when compared with other 150cc bikes.

Competition

Pulsar AS 150, Suzuki Gixxer, Yamaha FZ S and Honda CB160 Unicorn are some of the close competitors for this bike but the biggest threat comes from established Gixxer and new AS 150 but of which are modern bikes with better features and specifications.

Verdict

Hero Motocorp has done a tremendous job with its Sports variant and lot of cosmetic as well as other things have been changed but still it might not be able to take up other bikes which are either new or are far ahead from it in terms of technology and modern design. Minor engine updates might not be able to get numbers for Hero and it has to reinvent this segment with better bikes to fight Suzuki and Pulsars.

2016 Specifications and Prices

Ex-Showroom Price (Rs.)

Engine
Type: Air cooled single cylinder
Valvetrain: 2 valve, SOHC
Displacement: 149.2cc
Power: 15.4PS at 8500rpm
Torque: 13.5Nm at 7000rpm
Compression Ratio: 10 : 1
Gearbox: 5 Speed constant mesh
Carburetor: CV Type with Carburetor Controlled Variable Ignition

Mileage
City: 48kmpl
Highway: 62.5kmpl
Overall: 51.5kmpl

Performance
0-60kmph: 6.2s
0-100kmph: 26s
Top speed: 111kmph

Other Specifications
Suspension(F): Telescopic Fork
Suspension(R): Gas charged twin shock Absorber
Brakes(F): 240mm Disc
Brakes(R): 220mm Disc
Tyre(F): 80/100-18
Tyre(R): 110/90-18
L x W x H: 2100 mm x 780 mm x 1080 mm
Wheelbase: 1325mm
Kerb Weight: 146kg
Ground Clearance: 163 mm