It has been a long time since Hero unveiled the concept version of the Hero XPulse 200 concept. The bike was first unveiled at the 2017 EICMA show and then at the 2018 Auto Expo in India. However, the brand is yet to launch the production version of the bike in the market. Hero MotoCorp is expected to launch the all-new bike later this year and before that, the pictures of the production version of the upcoming dual-purpose bike have leaked online.
Pictures posted by Impulse Riders, Coimbatore shows a different version of the Hero XPulse 200, which might be the production version of the bike. The pictures are taken from a video, which has been taken down now. The video showed the official Team Rally Racer – CS Santosh on the bike going around a dirt track. However, it cannot be confirmed if the bike seen in the pictures is the final production version.
It is quite possible that Hero is still finalising the production version of the bike and is working on certain things. The pictures of the bike reveal that it is missing a few things like the tail unit, front guard and the engine sump guard. It is also possible that Hero may just be developing another version of the bike that can be put on sale alongside the regular version of the Hero XPulse 200R.
In 2018 EICMA show, Hero MotoCorp showcased the touring version of the XPulse 200, which got the name XPulse 200T. So it is quite possible that Hero may sell the bike in different versions.
The Hero XPulse 200R is based on the same platform as the Hero Xtreme 200R. It gets powered by the same engine too. the 200cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine will generate around 18.4 Bhp of maximum power and a peak torque of 17.1 Nm. Hero also officially revealed that the bike will get 21-inch front tyre and an 18-inch rear tyre. This along with long travel suspension will make the XPulse 200 a comfortable and capable bike off-road the road and during daily commutes. The bike also gets a massive ground clearance of 220 mm and an upswept exhaust that will keep the water away from the nozzle while wading through river or waterlogged places. Hero XPulse may also get full LED headlamps, long windscreen, luggage rack, knuckle guards and ABS as standard.
Hero is the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer but the XPulse is a low priority product for the brand. The Indian two-wheeler giant is a successful name around the world when it comes to commuter motorcycles. The Hero XPulse 200 is expected to become the most affordable dual-purpose bike in the Indian market when it launches. The price is expected to stay around Rs. 1 lakh, which will make it much cheaper than the Royal Enfield Himalayan, which is currently the most affordable ADV bike in the Indian market.