2021 Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve Review

The Hero XPulse 200 is a one-of-its-kind entry-level motorcycle. It's got a versatile, do-it-all, personality, with adventure capability, but also to take on everyday duties quite capably, on tarmac. And now, the Hero XPulse 200 gets its first significant update, and it's more than just new colours and fancy new graphics. The most significant change is the 199.6 cc single-cylinder engine, which now gets a four-valve head, and offers marginally more power and torque. And so, it gets a new suffix in its name, the Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve!

Also Read: All You Need To Know About The Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve

The Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve intends to improve upon an already capable, entry-level adventure touring motorcycle, adding more refinement and better mid-range performance.

The idea is to improve upon the already quite capable, go-anywhere attitude of the two-valve XPulse 200. Where the first two-valve model fell short was in highway cruising ability, as well as some punch in the mid-range. The four-valve motor promises more refinement, and with changes in the gear ratios, promises to address those areas.

The LED headlight now offers 20 per cent better illumination, an area where the two-valve XPulse 200 lacked in.

Even the oil-cooler is slightly bigger, with a 7-fin design, to aid in better heat management. And there are other practical, and cosmetic changes as well, including a headlight that offers better light throw. Does it make for an improved riding experience? We swung a leg over the new Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve to get a sense of what it's all about.

Also Read: Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve Launched At Rs. 1.28 Lakh

The new Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve retains the same dimenstions, but gets new dual-tone colours, and graphics. Kerb weight has increased by 1 kg, and seat height by 2 mm.

Design

The overall dimensions and silhouette are unmistakably the same as before, but there are some visual and cosmetic changes, which give the bike fresh appeal. The new dual-tone colours with the attractive body graphics look quite good.

The LCD instrument console is the same, and gets turn-by-turn navigation through the Hero RideGuide app. Distance-to-empty read-outs would have added more value.

The LCD instrument console is the same as before, offering smartphone connectivity, and turn-by-turn navigation through the Hero RideGuide app. A distance-to-empty read-out though would have added more value to the information provided on the panel. The LED headlight looks the same, but illumination has been improved by 20 per cent, an area which has been a shortcoming in the two-valve XPulse.

Ground clearance remains the same at 220 mm, and so does the suspension and wheels, as well as tyres and brakes.

Ground clearance is the same 220 mm as before, as is the aluminium skid plate. Suspension is also the same with 190 mm travel up front, and 170 mm rear suspension travel. There's single-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS), as before, only on the front wheel, and both wheels come with dual-sport block pattern tyres, to tackle rough terrain.

Seat height has increased by 2 mm to 825 mm, and kerb weight has increased by 1 kg to 158 kg. It's still a compact and light motorcycle, and seat height isn't too tall for riders of average height.

What has marginally increased is the kerb weight, which is 1 kg more with 158 kg on the XPulse 200 4 Valve. The seat height has also increased by 2 mm, and is now at 825 mm. For riders of average height and build, the seat height isn't tall enough to cause any concern, but riders with shorter height, especially with less experience, may find the seat a tad tall.

Also Read: Hero XPulse 200 Two-Valve Review

The 199.6 cc single-cylinder, air and oil-ccoled engine now gets a four-valve head. Power has increased by 1 bhp, and peak torque 0.90 Nm.

Engine & Performance

The 199.6 cc engine has the same displacement, but with the four-valve head, it now makes 6 per cent more power and 5 per cent more torque. The four-valve engine makes 18.8 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 17.35 Nm at 6,500 rpm. In comparison, the two-valve, 199.6 cc engine makes 17.8 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 16.45 Nm at 6,500 rpm.

Along with the four-valve head, the transmission has been improved, and gearing changed with a 45-teeth rear sprocket.

The hike in output may feel minor, but together with the four-valve head, and the changed gearing (rear sprocket size is now 45-teeth, compared to 38 teeth on the two-valve model), there's an almost palpable difference in performance and throttle feel.

Higher gear ratios (with a lower numerical value) give better torque and acceleration, while lower ratios allow for higher top speeds and better fuel economy. The four-valve XPulse 200's changed gearing makes for peppier mid-range acceleration, but the bigger rear sprocket has sacrificed top-end performance. The result is that maximum speed of the two-valve and four-valve versions is more or less similar.

The four-valve engine feels more refined with throatier and quicker acceleration. The changed gearing has made the mid-range performance meatier.

Straight from the get-go, the XPulse 200 4 Valve feels throatier. Not only does the four-valve head offer slightly better refinement than the two-valve engine, but the changed gearing actually makes the XPulse 4 Valve feel perkier, and slightly more eager. In-gear acceleration certainly feels quicker than before, but what has changed for the better is a meatier mid-range torque. The throttle feels crisper, and overall acceleration and revs feel higher from the four-valve engine, and it has a visibly throatier-sounding intake howl than the two-valve engine.

The Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve will spend a lot of time on tarmac, doing the daily commute, but also double up as the occasional highway companion. Our test bike showed a maximum indicated speed of 123 kmph.

But it's also the highway where the XPulse 200 4 Valve will be occasionally required to do some duty, taking on long distances. After all, a two-wheeled adventure sometimes also requires a fair bit of riding to get to 'interesting' terrain, and roads, or trails. One area where the two-valve engine faltered is in top-end performance, as well as mid-range power. Yes, it could hit 120 kmph, but it's happiest sitting at 85-90 kmph for extended time on the highway, not beyond.

Slightly better top-end performance would have made overtakes on the highway easier, and would have made cruising for long hours more effortless.

In that area, the four-valve engine feels slightly quicker to get to 80-90 kmph, but sadly, top-end performance doesn't' feel like something with any significant advantage. It's not about chasing high top speeds, but more about tractability, and highway response. Better top-end response (and performance) would have certainly made overtakes on the highway feel easier. And at the end of a hard day's riding, it would have made for a more enjoyable and maybe slightly less tiring day in the saddle for the rider.

Also Read: Hero XPulse 200 Rally Kit First Ride Review

The Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve is still a light and compact motorcycle, qualities which make it good for off-road riding, and not intimidating for new riders to get into adventure riding.

Ride & Handling

The XPulse 200 4 Valve is still a light and compact motorcycle, and the riding position feels more or less the same as before, since there are no changes in the ergonomics. The minor increase in seat height is hardly noticeable, and in fact, taller riders will welcome the slightly tall-ish perch of the XPulse 200 4 Valve. The riding position offers a commanding view of the road ahead, and the wide handlebar offers very good leverage, both in traffic and while sitting on highway speeds.

When the road ends, and the fun begins, you will forget and forgive the lack of top-end performance! The Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve offers a superb package as an entry-level adventure bike at a budget.

The suspension soaks up all kinds of bumps, speedbreakers and broken road sections without a whimper. And when the road ends, and the fun begins, you will forget and forgive the lack of top-end performance! The dual-sport rubber offers very good traction, and over loose terrain, the front end retains enough traction to keep things under control. The meatier mid-range from the four-valve engine allows you to more effortlessly kick the tail out, if that's the kind of shenanigans you'd like to indulge in, while playing in the dirt.

The Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve offers enough suspension travel and ground clearance for an enjoyable outing in the dirt. For those seeking more, there's always the optional Rally Kit, which can be fitted offering better tyres, taller seat height and more suspension travel.

Suspension travel and ground clearance are more than enough to take on all kinds of off-road obstacles, jumping over small elevations in the trail. Handling is neutral and sure-footed, and the XPulse 200 offers a package that is friendly, fun and easy to get comfortable with. With the changed gearing (45/13), compared to 38/13 on the two-valve version, the four-valve XPulse 200 offers a slightly punchier mid-range. The performance is not very significant, but definitely noticeable and appreciable!

With a kerb weight of 158 kg, the Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve offers a light and compact package, ideal to start riding off-road with, even for beginners.

Verdict

The new Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve has become slightly more expensive with the changes it has gone through. In fact, it's the most expensive motorcycle from Hero MotoCorp. For just Rs. 5,000 less on the showroom price, the two-valve version is still available on sale, but it's likely to be replaced by the four-valve model in the near future.

Priced at Rs. 1,28,150 (Ex-showroom), the Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve offers a very good option even for experienced riders, as a second or third bike to have some weekend fun, riding dirt trails outside the city.

Priced at Rs. 1,28,150 (Ex-showroom), the Hero XPulse 200 4 Valve is still a very good entry-level adventure bike. It's a great package to start off-road riding with, or even as a second or third bike to indulge in some weekend off-road fun on. With a little more top-end performance, it would have made all the difference to make the Hero XPulse 200 a truly extraordinary and versatile bike!