Hero Xpulse 200 BS6
Hero MotoCorp has launched the much-popular Hero Xpulse 200 in its new BS6 avatar at the price of INR 111,790 ex-showroom, Delhi. The new BS6 Hero Xpulse 200 is identical to its BS4 predecessor except for an added vertically aligned oil-cooler on the left-hand side of the vehicle and a reworked exhaust system which now flows under the engine and out to the high mounted end can.
The upgraded engine has a similar displacement and is powered by a 199.6cc single-cylinder air/oil-cooled, 4-stroke 2-valve OHC motor that now produces 17.8 PS of power and 16.45 Nm of torque matched to a 5-speed constant mesh gearbox with a wet-multi-plate clutch.
In its BS4 compliant avatar, the air-cooled engine used to produce 18.4 PS of power and 17.1 Nm of torque which is slightly more than the BS6 engine and uses the same 5-speed constant mesh unit with a wet multi-plate clutch. The loss in power and torque output could be due to the added emission system to conform to the stringent BS6 standards.
The addition of the newly reworked exhaust system and the new oil-cooling system has also added weight on the BS6 Xpulse 200 which now tips the scale at 157 kg, 3 kilos more than the BS4 predecessor in the fuel injection version and 4 kgs more than the carburetted model which has now been discontinued and is irrelevant. However, the company’s official website does not show any changes in the ground clearance (220mm) of the vehicle even though the new exhaust has been routed underneath the bike and not around the cylinder head as seen on the BS4 model.
The brand has also introduced new Xpulse 200 specific accessories available on the official website which includes a motocross-style helmet with Xpulse graphics and four styles of seat covers – Modern, Tourer, Dual-Tone, Adventure that claims to suit the individual rider’s riding style along with comfort and anti-slip properties.
Hero MotoCorp has also launched the Hero Xpulse Rally Kit for the Xpulse 200 available as a complete kit priced at INR 38,000 available at select Hero MotoCorp dealerships and comprises of a fully adjustable telescopic front fork with 250mm of stroke and a ten-step fully adjustable rear Mono Shock with 220mm of stroke, handlebar risers, a ‘Flat Bench’ seat, knobby off-road tyres from Maxxis, an extended gear lever to accommodate rally-style boots and long side stand as the rally kit increases its ground clearance from 220mm to 275mm.