Hero MotorCorp unveiled the Xpulse 421 adventure motorcycle concept at EICMA 2024, generating excitement among motorcycle enthusiasts. The Xpulse 421 is designed to compete with established adventure bikes like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and the KTM 390 Adventure.
Design and Features
The Xpulse 421 features a trellis frame inspired by Dakar rally bikes, giving it a rugged and adventurous look. The bike boasts a triangular headlamp with a tall windscreen, stylish bodywork with a single-piece seat, wide handlebars with knuckle guards, and a side-mounted upswept exhaust. The design sketches reveal a lean body structure and a large TFT screen, hinting at a feature-loaded motorcycle.
Powertrain
Details on the powertrain are unknown however, based on what we know, we can draw some speculations. The Xpulse 421 is expected to be powered by an all-new 421cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. This engine is projected to produce between 40 and 45 horsepower and 45 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed gearbox.
Suspension and Brakes
The concept ADV is equipped with long travel suspension, featuring a telescopic fork at the front and a monoshock in the rear. It has wirespoke wheels shod with off-road tyres and disc brakes at both ends. The bike also includes switchable ABS for enhanced safety.
Market Strategy
Hero MotorCorp aims to launch the production version of the Xpulse 421 within the next 18 months. The company’s strategy focuses on capturing the growing adventure bike segment by offering a competitive and feature-rich motorcycle. The Xpulse 421 is expected to be priced competitively, making it an attractive option for adventure enthusiasts.
Our Thoughts
A sub-500 cc adventure motorcycle from Hero has been a long time coming. Hero had showcased a concept earlier as well and we were expecting a near production ready model to be showcased at EICMA this year. By the looks of it, seems like we will get to see it at EICMA 2025. The launch is expected to happen early or mid 2026. Is Hero being too late to the party?
Also Read: EICMA 2024! Hero MotoCorp reveals refreshed Mavrick 440