TVS Apache RR 310-rivaling Hero XF3R 300cc sportsbike to be launched soon

Hero Motocorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer has long stayed away from the lure of performance bikes with its only major offerings till date being the Karizma and the Xtreme 200R. However, a NewsX article is reporting that Hero is set to dive headlong into the performance segment by the launching a TVS Apache RR 310 rivalling performance bike in the form of the XF3R which was seen in concept guise over two years ago at the 2016 Auto Expo.

The Hero XF3R which is expected to arrive in the first half of 2019, will be the most powerful motorcycle that Hero has ever produced. Powering the Apache RR 310 rival will be a brand new 300 cc engine tuned with performance in mind. The new engine is expected to get modern features like dual overhead camshafts and liquid cooling along with fuel injection as well.

Performance figures for the new engine have not been revealed as of now but with the Apache RR 310 producing 33 Bhp, we expect Hero to try and tick as close as possible to that figure, though it could target the more achievable 29 Bhp power figure of the 250 Duke from KTM. The gearbox for the new Hero XF3R is expected to be a 6-speed unit.

However, unlike the fully faired TVS Apache RR 310, the Hero XF3R is expected to retain its street fighter looks from the concept seen over two years ago at Auto Expo 2016. The concept bike also featured a slightly exposed trellis frame, a split seat, along with an upswept exhaust system that exited just to the right of the pillion’s seat. Other design highlights including the muscular fuel tank, digital instrument cluster, and the single piece handlebar are also expected to make it to the production version of the Hero XF3R. However, Hero could ditch the upside down front forks and the single-sided swingarm unit from the concept bike to keep the costs of the production bike lower.

Braking duties on the Hero XF3R are expected to be handled by disc brakes on either end ably supported by ABS. However, it is still not clear if the new bike will get single or dual-channel
ABS. The Hero XF3R is expected to sit on 17-inch alloy wheels that could end up painted in two different colours similar to the ones found on the concept bike which had a black front wheel and a red rear wheel. The colours of the wheels will be matched by the colourful yet aggressive graphics that will make their way onto the bike’s body panels.

While there is now rod out yet on the pricing, AutoX speculates that the new bike could be priced between Rs 1.8 and Rs 2.1 lakhs ex-showroom, which would help it undercut the Apache RR 310, which retails at around Rs 2.5 lakhs.