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Hero Xpulse 210 Review - The New Budget Dual-Sport King
At Auto Expo 2019, Hero revealed the first Xpulse 200 to the Indian public, and the bike immediately found a following among the Indian dual-sport motorcycling community. However, many did wonder aloud if the bike had the required oomph thanks to an engine that eventually got a bit too choked up thanks to BS6 emission norms.
Hero, it would seem, had its ear to the ground and last year at the EICMA motorcycle show, came up with the Xpulse 210, a bike they said was different from its predecessor, more powerful and focused while still retaining the the essence of that bike. So, when Hero Motocorp invited us to Udaipur, a few days ago to test the new Xpulse, we jumped at the chance. Here are our first impressions of the Hero XPulse 210, after a day in the saddle, in and around the City of Lakes...
Hero Xpulse 210 Review: Design & Features - More Focused & Modernized
Hero claims that the Xpulse 210 has nothing in common with its predecessor except its "Forward Leaping Stance". The new Hero Xpulse 210 has been designed in collaboration with the firm's motorsports rider, Ross Branch and the Dakar-inspired design highlights are clearly visible.
Everything from the high, beak-like front fender to the tall windscreen, all LED lighting setup with the round headlamp unit sporting Hero's H-shaped LED DRLs to the muscular fuel tank with the extensions up front that slims down when it reaches the single piece seat and the upswept exhaust are all inspired by the firm's Dakar racer.
The seat allows for the rider to move around easily while also allowing them to get their feet on the ground with ease, while the exhaust is thankfully shrouded to keep the heat off the pillion's right leg. Also seen are wire-spoked wheels, a tubular handlebar, a grab handle situated just ahead of the headlight to pick up the bike in case you fall off it, a metal bash plate to keep the engine safe from penetrating obstacles and a rear carrier with integrated grab handles for the pillion.
The higher-spec "Top" variant of the Xpulse features a 4.2-inch TFT setup for the instrumentation with Bluetooth connectivity, switchable dual-channel ABS with three modes - Road, Trail and Offroad - along with the taller windscreen, knuckle guards and rear carrier. The lower-spec "Base" variant gets an LCD setup for the instrumentation, a smaller flyscreen and single-channel ABS.
Hero Xpulse 210 Review: The Mechanical Bits - More Powerful and Focused Than Ever Before
The Hero Xpulse 210 is powered by an updated version of the liquid-cooled, 4-valve, DOHC, 210cc engine first seen on the Karizma XMR. The engine features a different intake and exhaust system along with a different map and cooling setup. The result is that in the new Xpulse 210, the engine kicks out 24.2bhp at 9,250rpm and 20.7Nm of peak torque at 7,250rpm, a 30% increase over its predecessor.
The Xpulse 210's engine is paired with a 6-speed gearbox with an assist and slipper clutch that allows you to go for longer without getting tired of shifting up and down the box. The new 6th gear also means the Xpulse 210 can be used as a proper mile muncher.
The Xpulse 210 features a new high-tensile steel, double-cradle frame suspended off a telescopic front fork that offers 210mm of travel and a 10-step adjustable, gas-charged monoshock and rectangular swingarm at the rear that offer 205mm of travel.
The Xpulse 210 rides on spoked wheels - 21-inch at the front and 18-inch at the rear - draped in 90/90-21 (front) and 120/80 (rear) tyres. Braking duties are handled by petal discs - 270mm (front) and 220m (rear) - aided by ABS with three different modes.
Hero Xpulse 210 Review: Riding Impressions - Made For Every Terrain
On the go, the Xpulse 210 is a bike that feels comfortable both on the tarmac and on the trails. The engine feels more refined than the one on its predecessor, and while the first two gears are shorter and torquey for some off-road fun, the Xpulse can easily reach and cruise at triple-digit speeds on the tarmac, which is made even more possible by a rather comfortable seat.
The suspension setup of the Xpulse 210 is tuned rather well and works like a charm both on the tarmac and off the beaten path. So whether the road curves ahead of you or you're taking a sharpish turn on the dirt, the bike is agile and flickable, though that could have been better if the Eurogrip tyres provided a bit more confidence to you.
The disc brakes on the new Xpulse 210 work rather well, though we do wish they were better calibrated in the Road ABS mode. However, when you switch to either Trail or Off-Road ABS mode, the latter requiring you to come to a complete halt, the brakes and the ABS setup work in perfect harmony, allowing you bring the bike to a halt or slow it down with ease.
Hero Xpulse 210 Review: Final Thoughts & Verdict - The New Budget Dual-Sport King
The Hero Xpulse 210 comes as the perfect replacement for the much-loved Xpulse 200 and at a starting price of Rs 1.76 lakh (ex-showroom) is perhaps the best budget dual-sport motorcycle we currently have around. For tose looking to get onto the adventure touring and off-roading scene, the new Xpulse 210 feels like the perfect first step.
While some may feel that this bike deserved the new Xtreme 250R's engine, the Xpulse 210 does seem like a big enough step up over its predecessor to justify its presence. And Hero is reportedly working on an Xpulse 420, so those looking for a bigger and more powerful Dakar-inspired off-roader can wait and decide if that is what they want.
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