The 200 cc - 400 cc motorcycle segment is seeing a spurt of growth. So much so that the biggest two-wheeler manufacturer of the world is also now looking to grab a slice of this particular pie! Hero MotoCorp finally took the wraps off the Xtreme 200R a few days ago after it first showcased the bike almost two years ago at the 2016 Auto Expo. It sure does look promising but it has its work cut out if it wants to establish itself in the 200 cc segment against worthy rivals such as the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 and the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V. We take a look as to how the Xtreme 200R stacks up against the Apache 200 and the Pulsar NS200, on paper that is.
(Hero Xtreme 200R)Also Read: Hero Xtreme 200R Officially Breaks Cover
(2017 Bajaj Pulsar NS200)Without a doubt, the Pulsar NS200 is the best looking bike of the lot. It is the perfect mix of muscle and attitude. The muscular fuel tank and the graphics do make the bike stand out. The Apache 200 too is a looker, but with its solid colours, it would appeal more to someone who likes to keep things calm and understated. The all new Hero Xtreme 200R has the most extreme name amongst the lot here but the looks are rather staid. We would have liked a tad more chutzpah on the bike as far as look and design are concerned.
(TVS Apache RTR 200 4V)If you refer to the table above, clearly, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 makes the maximum power amongst the lot and by a fair margin too. The Pulsar NS200 makes 3.4 bhp more than the Apache 200 and 5.03 bhp more than the Extreme 200R. The Pulsar NS 200 and the Apache 200 make the same amount of torque more or less. Although the Xtreme 200R makes its peak power and torque at lesser revs as compared to the other two. The hero is also the lightest bike here, weighing just a kg less than the Apache 200, while the Pulsar is heavier than the Hero by 5/7 kg. The NS200 is the only bike here, which gets a six-speed transmission. The Bajaj and the Hero get optional single-channel ABS, which means that ABS works only on one wheel, which is the front wheel. Only the Apache 200 offers ABS which works on both wheels, as an option of course.
(Hero XPulse will have the same engine as the Hero Xtreme 200R)We cannot wait to test ride the Xtreme 200R and put it to test against the Apache 200 and the Pulsar NS200.
(Hero Xtreme 200R)The starting prices of the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 and the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V are almost similar at Rs. 97,000 ex-showroom, Delhi. Should you opt for the bikes with ABS; the prices will of course go up by a few thousand rupees and cross the one lakh mark. At the unveiling of the Hero Xtreme 200R, we were told that the prices of the bike will be kept closer to that of 150 cc bikes as opposed to the prices of 200 cc bikes. This means that the Hero Xtreme 200R could be priced well under the one lakh mark, even for the top spec variant, with ABS. Well, if that does happen to be the truth, Hero could very well be a game changer in this segment.
