World’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero Motocorp is lighting up the festive season with back-to-back launches. And it includes a flagship motorcycle and an affordable scooter. In the last few days, the company has launched the all-new XPulse 200 4 valve and which replaces the 2 valve model in the market and the Pleasure+ ‘Xtec, a more advanced version of the popular scooter. Both come in segments where the brand doesn’t really dominate and these launches could play an active role in attracting more buyers, especially in the festive season.
NEW XPULSE 200 4 VALVE
Building on its DNA of adventure experience, the new XPulse 200 4 Valve comes with the 200cc BS6 4 valve oil cooled engine, that offers 6% more power and 5% added torque than before. Hero says this ensures a relaxed and stress-free ride at high speeds. The bike gets an updated oil cooling system, improved seat profile and upgraded LED headlights, making it more appealing than earlier. The XPulse 200 4 Valve is available at a price of Rs. 1.28 lakh (Ex-Showroom, Delhi).
The new engine produces a power output of 19.1 PS @ at 8500 rpm and torque of 17.35 Nm @ 6500rpm. According to Hero, it provides more power across the mid and top-end speed range and also offers stress free engine performance even at high-speeds, while keeping the vibrations in control. For better heat management in heavy traffic, the cooling system is now updated with a 7-fin oil cooler. The transmission setup is also improved and offers better strength and durability, while the gear ratio has been updated for better tractive effort and acceleration.
The bike also gets enhanced LED headlight which provides better visibility at night. Some other features that are being offered in the bike include full digital LCD instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity and call alerts, turn-by-turn navigation, gear indicator, eco Mode and two trip meters and single channel ABS as standard offering.
The motorcycle features long suspension travel – 190mm front and 170mm rear along with 21” front and 18” rear spoke wheels. It is also equipped with an aluminium skid plate that protects the engine, new toothed brake pedal for maximum grip and control, and an upswept exhaust that enables deep water crossing. The dual-purpose tyres, 10-step adjustable mono-shock suspension, accessible seat height of 825mm and high ground clearance of 220mm also help the adventurous rider.
The new XPulse 200 4V comes in three new colour options – Trail Blue, Blitz Blue and Red Raid to catch all the attention on road. The bike continues to be offered with a Rally Kit which is completely road legal and also homologated for FMSCI approved motorsports events.
HERO PLEASURE+ ‘XTEC’
The Pleasure+ XTec takes the story of the iconic Pleasure brand forward. It features a new LED projector headlamp seen for the first time in the 110cc segment. A new jubilant yellow colour is also now being offered on the scooter. Other features include an Idle-Stop-Start system, digital analog speedometer with Bluetooth connectivity with call and SMS alerts, side-stand engine cut off and a metal front fender. Hero Pleasure+ 110 is available at a starting price of Rs. 61,900 for LX variant and Pleasure+ 110 XTec starts at Rs. 69,500. (Ex-Showroom, Delhi).
Hero says the new headlamp provides 25% more light intensity with a longer and wider road reach and anti-fog advantage that offers maximum on-road visibility. In terms of design, it takes forward the scooter’s retro theme and gets chrome additions on mirrors, muffler protector, handlebar, seat backrest and fender stripe. Hero is also offering a dual tone seat and coloured inner panels on the new scooter. A unique novelty is a seat backrest which takes care of pillion comfort. The digital analog speedometer with bluetooth connectivity displays incoming and missed call alerts, new message alerts along with the phone battery status.
The scooter is available in seven colours, the jubilant yellow specially created for the Pleasure+ Xtec. The Pleasure+ XTec comes with a 110cc BS6 engine which produces a power output of 8 bhp @ 7000 rpm and torque on demand of 8.7 Nm @ 5500 rpm. Hero’s i3S patented technology also ensures good fuel efficiency, something that’s really important in gearless scooters.
The writer is the Senior Editor at carandbike.com
Building on its DNA of adventure experience, the new XPulse 200 4 Valve comes with 200cc BS6 4 valve oil cooled engine, that offers 6% more power and 5% added torque than before. Hero says this ensures a relaxed and stress-free ride at high speeds.