Hero Xpulse 200T, Xtreme 200R, 200S deleted from Hero website

Hero MotoCorp has made an update on its official website by removing the Xpulse 200T, Xtreme 200R and Xtreme 200S. In other words, these motorcycles will not be receiving BS6 update for the 2020 model year. However, if Hero MotoCorp sees potential in these models (which it couldn’t earlier), one can expect them to be reintroduced in fresh BS6 avatars.

It was only recently that Hero MotoCorp added its new Xtreme 160R sports commuter on the website. The motorcycle was unveiled at the first-of-its-kind Hero World 2020 event held at the brand’s R&D facility in Jaipur (Center of Innovation and Technology). Quite a few products made their debut at the venue including the Hero Xpulse 200 Rally Kit.

Hero MotoCorp made this move at a time when India’s automotive industry has been going through a challenge unlike ever before. COVID-19 has brought about a nationwide lockdown and it has taken a huge toll on automakers and related businesses. In fact, many dealerships are at the verge of going out of business forever.

Hero Xtreme 200S

Furthermore, rules had mandated that all vehicles in India should meet BS6 emission norms before 1 April 2020. This deadline was recently extended by the apex court but on a conditional basis. It wouldn’t particularly better the troubling times faced by dealerships as losses remain inevitable. At present, automotive businesses (especially smallscale dealers and suppliers) are eagerly looking forward to getting adequate support from concerned authorities.

Coming back the discontinued ‘X’ products, all three motorcycles share the same power plant. The Xtreme 200R is a streetfighter (but mostly a sports commuter) while the 200S is its faired version. Hero MotoCorp’s Xpulse 200T is a touring-focused commuter with some neo-retro styling influence while the more-desirable Xpulse 200 is an extremely capable off-roader with ample commuting properties.

The motorcycles’ 199.6cc single-cylinder air-cooled carburetted single-cylinder motor churns out 18.1bhp and 17.1Nm of torque. Transmission duties are done by a 5-speed gearbox. If these products make a comeback in the BS6 era, expect them to sport fuel-injection — a technology which was once a luxury but is now found in almost every two-wheeler (including scooters and even TVS Motor Company’s XL100 moped) that was updated to BS6 standards.

The upcoming BS6-compliant Hero Xtreme 160R aka ‘Urban Race’ gets a 160cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine good for 15bhp and 14Nm. It is claimed to be the fastest motorcycle in its class.