With the launch of Hero Xpulse 421, the company will directly rival Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, KTM 390 Adventure and others
The ADV segment in India has gained more popularity than it ever did. More buyers are interested in ADVs today than they ever did. Hero MotoCorp the first OEM in India to launch road-legal off-roader bike in the form of Impulse and still holds the position of offering India’s most affordable proper off-road motorcycle in the form of Xpulse 200 4V Pro.
However, Hero MotoCorp is expanding the Xpulse line to include Xpulse 210, showcased at EICMA 2024 with the same engine as Karizma XMR 210. On top of this, we get Xpulse 42, whose concept sketch was released in EICMA 2024. Now, the Hero Xpulse 421 has been trademarked in India and a launch is expected in 2025 or early 2026.
Hero Xpulse 421 Design Trademarked
Design of ‘The Biggest Ever Xpulse’ has been trademarked in India by Hero MotoCorp. This will lock horns with well-established rivals like Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, New Gen KTM 390 Adventure and upcoming BMW F450 GS and to some extent, upcoming TVS Apache RTX 300 with the new RT-XD4 engine.
Xpulse 210 is an Xpulse 200 with Karizma XMR 210 engine and some muscular tank shrouds that lend it the appeal of a semi-faired bodywork. The new Xpulse 421 is much bigger ADV, as seen in the concept sketch and design trademark leaked. Also, Xpulse 421 is a proper semi-faired ADV with wind protection.
From what we can see in the design trademark, Xpulse 421 seems to be donning a perimeter frame that is also exposed to act as a part of the bike’s bodywork. There’s a tall fuel tank and a scooped-out single-piece seat, very similar to what we saw with Xpulse 210. There’s proper semi-fairing with Xpulse 421, a flat headlight and a tall windscreen.
ORVMs are likely to be handlebar-mounted, there’s beefy underbelly protection and we can also see a rugged luggage rack at the rear. There is also a mandatory saree guard and knuckle guards on this bike. When compared to current Xpulse 200 and recently showcased Xpulse 210, Xpulse 421 looks like a completely different vehicle, owing to its design and bodywork.
What to expect?
Where components are concerned, Hero Xpulse 421 will get USD telescopic front forks, finished in a lovely Gold shade and rear mono-shock setup. We hope these are fully adjustable, at least in a Pro variant. Wire-spoke front wheel looks like it is 19-inches and the rear at 18-inches. We hope there’s a Pro variant with 21-inch front and 18-inch rear. There’s petal disc brakes at either end and it will get dual-channel ABS.
Powering this machine will be a high-tech liquid-cooled 421cc single-cylinder engine that could generate 40 bhp and 40 Nm, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. A fully digital TFT instrument screen with Google Maps and music control along with ride modes, ABS modes and other electronic aids are expected.
Source: Bike - rushlane.com
