Hero Xtreme 160R unveiled: To rival TVS Apache RTR 160, Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 & Yamaha FZ-S

Hero MotoCorp has just unveiled the Xtreme 160R, a brand new, sporty commuter motorcycle that will rival the likes of the TVS Apache RTR 160, Bajaj Pulsar 160 NS, the Suzuki Gixxer & the Yamaha FZ-S. The Xtreme 160R features fresh styling, and is meant to take the Xtreme range of commuter motorcycles forward. It comes with a BS6 (Bharat Stage 6) emission norms compliant four stroke, air cooled engine.

The single cylinder motor – developed in house by Hero MotoCorp – is fuel injected, and makes 15 Bhp of peak power at 8,500 rpm. A five speed manual gearbox is standard. Hero MotoCorp claims a 0-60 Kph acceleration timing of just 4.7 seconds, which will make this motorcycle very quick in city traffic. Top speed should be about 110 Kph, which means that cruising at 80 Kph should be more or less effortless.

Single channel ABS is also standard with this motorcycle, which gets disc brakes – a 276 mm unit at the front and a 220 mm unit at the rear – on both wheels. Tubeless tyres and alloy wheels are also standard. The 170 mm ground clearance is adequate for city use. While Hero MotoCorp has unveiled this motorcycle, pricing remains unknown for now. We’ll have to wait for a separate announcement for that crucial detail.

Talking of other key bits about the Xtreme 160R, it gets full LED lighting that consists of a headlamp, tail light and turn indicators, a fully digital instrument cluster, a stepped seat, dual tone paint scheme, telescopic front forks and a 7-step adjustable rear monoshock. Kerb weight is pegged at 138 kilograms, which again is par for the course. Other motorcycles in this segment – TVS Apache RTR 160, Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 & Yamaha FZ-S – are slightly heavier.

We expect Hero MotoCorp to price this motorcycle somewhere in the range of Rs. 80,000. That price will make it quite affordable to a wide swathe buyers seeking to upgrade from 100cc/125cc commuter motorcycles. An official launch is expected to happen in the coming weeks. The Hero Xtreme 160R will be aimed at big numbers for the brand. Hero MotoCorp is trying to do better in the higher segments even as it continues to dominate the 100-125cc commuter segments. The TVS Apache RTR 160, Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 & Yamaha FZ-S are currently cornering the market, which Hero wants to break into.

Hero MotoCorp, when it was Hero Honda, kick started the 150cc, sporty commuter segment in India with the CBZ – an iconic motorcycle that was launched in the early 2000s. The CBZ was followed by the CBZ Xtreme, which did fairly well for the brand for many years. The CBZ X-Treme has now given way to the Xtreme 160R, which takes the sportiness quotient a level higher. It remains to be seen whether this is enough to make a big dent on established competition though.