Hero MotoCorp was present at the EICMA show in Milan earlier this week. While the brand did not have anything exciting for the Indian market for the near future, they did showcase something many customers or potential buyers would love. Hero MotoCorp has revealed a ‘Rally Kit’ for the Xpulse 200 which can be bolted on easily and would convert the bike into a proper rally-spec motorcycle. This kit is not homologated for road use, so if all the modifications are done, you can technically not ride the bike on Indian streets.
The Xpulse 200 Rally Kit includes taller and longer travel front and rear suspension, flat seat for easy direction and position changing when off-roading with the bike, off-road boot suitable gear pedal which has an extended lever, handlebar risers for easy stance when standing up, longer side stand for the higher ground clearance, 12T front sprocket, 40T rear sprocket for better low-end grunt, rally-spec knobby tyres, fork gaiters, chain cover on the lower end, and an optional exhaust possibly from Akrapovic. Hero MotoCorp has not revealed pricing for this Rally Kit, and neither is the date of introduction in India announced.
Hero MotoCorp have tested and developed these parts at their R&D hub – Centre of Innovation & Technology (CIT), in India. The Xpulse 200 with this kit can serve as a good learner motorcycle for those who want to enter the rally world of motorcycling.
Powering the Hero MotoCorp Xpulse 200 is a 199.6cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, OHC petrol motor producing 18.4 PS of power @ 8000 RPM and 17.1 Nm of torque @ 6500 RPM matched to a 5-speed gearbox. The Xpulse 200 gets fuel-injection option and a single-channel ABS as a part of latest technology. The bike also benefits from bluetooth connectivity which shows turn-by-turn navigation on the speedo console.
