Hero Xtreme 160R first ride review: How does this Honda XBlade and TVS Apache 160 rival fare? – Times Now

We have another entry in the list called “Delayed Due to Coronavirus”, ladies and gentlemen. And this time it is a product that I saw earlier this year and took it for a quick spin across Hero MotoCorp’s R&D centre test track. The Hero Xtreme 160R’s ride was another attempt to convince myself of this new reality — the new “normal”, living with the virus, kind of philosophies. So, here it is, me riding a new 160 cc Hero bike, to see if it is really a head-turner and if my heart will race riding this*?

*P.S.: That is what Hero MotoCorp is claiming, with a figure of 0-60 km/h in 4.7 seconds.

2020 Hero Xtreme 160 R: Looks

One look and you can tell that this bike is the junior Xtreme, especially the way body graphics prominently show off the X on the muscular tank side cowls. It features a sharp but minimal full-LED headlamp, which Hero MotoCorp refers to as the droid design. This gives a lean-mean feel to the bike, which is also the theme followed for the tank’s design as well as that for the step-up seat and blacked-out mechanical bits. The BS6 Xtreme 160R gets a balanced set up, with nice edges. The segment-first LED winkers, tail lamp, and compact sporty exhaust add to the coolness quotient of this new BS6 bike in India. I would say that this is the second-best looking contemporary Hero bikes after the X-pulse.

2020 Hero Xtreme 160 R: Features

The Xtreme 160R BS6 is contemporary not only in how it is designed, but also in the context of equipment. The two-wheeler manufacturer has equipped the new bike with single-channel ABS, mono-shock, and an optional rear disc brake among other things. Besides that, the junior Xtreme also gets a digital display comprised of the speedometer, odometer, and tachometer. The display includes trip-meter, fuel warning, and a clock as well.

2020 Hero Xtreme 160 R: Brakes and suspension

The suspension setup of the new bike from the house of Hero MotoCorp includes 37 mm telescopic fork and a seven-step rider-adjustable mono-shock.

For braking duties, it makes use of 276 mm drum brake at the front and 130 mm drum brake with single-channel ABS as standard. You also get the option of a 220 mm rear disc brake.

Xtreme 160R comes with tubeless tyres, 100/80-17 at the front, while that at the rear is 130/70 -R17.

2020 Hero Xtreme 160 R: Dimensions

The Xtreme 160R BS6 is based on a rigid diamond frame which makes this one of the lightest in its class. It has a kerb weight of 138.5 kg for the single disc variant and 139.5 kg for the double disc variant. Some more numbers for you — the wheelbase measures 1327 mm, seat height is 790 mm, ground clearance is 167 mm, and the fuel tank has a capacity of 12 litres.

2020 Hero Xtreme 160 R: Engine

The segment where Xtreme 160R is entering has a few more products with similar specifications, which prompted us to plan a comparison story as well. Stay tuned to Times Drive for that one. Anyway, back to the Xtreme 160 R — it is powered by a 163 cc air-cooled engine with a power output of 15 bhp and 14 Nm of peak torque. The engine uses the company’s xSens technology with 14 different sensors and is paired to a five-speed gearbox. And as mentioned above, it accelerates from zero to 60 km/h in 4.7 seconds.

2020 Hero Xtreme 160 R: Price

• Self-start, Single Disc Brake, Alloy Wheels, FI: ₹99,950
• Self-start, Double Disc Brake, Alloy wheels, FI: ₹103,500

2020 Hero Xtreme 160 R: Verdict

Hero Motocorp has managed to create a new product which, in turn, could create a new legacy for the brand. The power delivery is linear, the bike rides really smooth and also handles really well. This 160 cc, lightweight roadster feels agile and zippy initially and delivers linear power throughout, i.e. till you hit the 70 km/h – 75 km/h mark. So, overall, this is a smooth, feature-rich, happy city bike.