Hero MotoCorp

Hero Xtreme 200S 4VHero Xtreme 200S 4V: The True Jack of All Trades in Its Price Bracket – Rs. 1.3 lakh to Rs. 1.5 lakhFaired Machines have always had a greater emotional connect with motorcyclists than naked ones. Fairing lends manufacturers more opportunity to showcase design prowess and depths of their design team’s imagination in attracting buyers. In India, there are multiple faired motorcycles at Rs. 1.3 lakh to Rs. 1.5 lakh (ex-sh) price point.Newest of this bunch is Hero Xtreme 200S 4V, which costs Rs. 1.41 lakh (ex-sh). Hero recently pulled the plug on older Xtreme 200S 2V model. Making newer 4V model, the only faired machine in its portfolio. But how does this faired motorcycle fare against other faired motorcycles in a similar price bracket? Let’s take a look.Hero Xtreme 200S 4VMost motorcycles in this list are semi-faired. Only Xtreme 200S 4V and Gixxer SF 150 sport full-fairing. You must be wondering what Honda CB200X is doing in this list. Because it is a faux ADV without any off-road prowess, it is basically a semi-faired motorcycle. Looks are subjective. If you ask me, CB200X is by far the most appealing.In terms of displacement, Bajaj Pulsar F250 has the biggest engine. Unsurprisingly, it is the most powerful potent too with 24.2 bhp and 21.5 Nm. Gixxer has the smallest engine and offers lowest numbers. In terms of engine configs, all of these boast a single overhead cam and only Xtreme 200S 4V has a 4V head.Hero Xtreme 200S 4V Vs Rivals – SpecsIt is surprising that Bajaj offers a 4V head with much older and smaller NS160, but newer N160 and bigger F250/N250 miss out on it. All motorcycles have a 5-speed gearbox. After discontinuation of Suzuki GS 150R, this price segment has never seen a 6-speed gearbox.Pulsar 220 is the oldest here and it shows with a double cradle chassis, twin rear shock absorbers and skinny tyres. Bajaj has a tubular chassis with F250 and all the other motorcycles in this comparo have a diamond frame. CB200X has fattest tyre combination among this bunch and has longest wheelbase too. Also, it is the only one with USD front telescopic forks.Bang for the Buck: Which is the most feature-loaded?Ground clearance is highest with CB200X, but by 2mm only. In this comparison, only the Pulsar F250 has dual-channel ABS. It has largest front disc too, while Gixxer SF 150 has largest rear disc. Flash value is highest with Honda CB200X as it has attractive golden USD front forks, all LED lighting and more.Hero Xtreme 200S 4V Vs Rivals – PricesCB200X’s LED turn indicators are not conventional. Instead, they are inside its knuckle guards, which is a nice touch. Pulsar F250 offers LED indicators too and is the only one to have LED projector headlight. Pulsar 220 has projector setup too, with halogen bulbs, though. Only the Xtreme 200S 4V and Gixxer SF 150 have Bluetooth connectivity with smartphone integration.This allows notification alert, turn-by-turn navigation and more. Weirdly, Hero doesn’t offer its optional Hero Connect telematics solution with Xtreme 200S 4V. Even the Pleasure+ scooter gets this add-on for Rs. 4,999. Also, none of these motorcycles get ride modes. If there was a TVS offering with full-fairing in this price bracket, it would definitely get ride modes.Sadly, that is not the case. Pricing-wise, Gixxer SF 150 starts from Rs. 1.35 lakh. But goes till Rs. 1.46 lakh if you want Bluetooth connectivity and fancy colours. Pulsar 220 costs Rs. 1.38 lakh and Xtreme 200S 4V commands Rs. 1.41 lakh and seems to be the jack of all trades considering pricing, features, and equipment. (All prices ex-sh).That said, Pulsar F250 is the best bet for performance-conscious buyers and is worth the additional Rs. 8,000 over Xtreme 200S 4V. If looks and design outweighs performance for you, Honda CB200X makes a lot of sense as it is the flashiest of this bunch. More

New Hero Karizma XMR 210Upcoming Karizma XMR has potential to emerge a bestseller by offering an optimal mix of performance and affordabilityHero MotoCorp is bringing back the Karizma, which was once hugely popular for its sporty profile and powerful performance. The new Karizma XMR is scheduled to debut on August 29. It is expected to be offered in the price range of Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 1.8 lakh, ex-sh.Earlier this month, a design patent of Hero Karizma XMR had revealed the top-side view of the bike. Now, some more patent images have leaked online. These are of individual components, which reveal the finer details of the bike.New Hero Karizma DetailsHero Karizma XMR new details emergeNew patent images reveal the design of Karizma’s LED headlight casing, front cowl and instrument console. LED headlamp casing has a curvy V-shaped design, with dual-projector LED lights in the centre. The unit appears pretty large, which will help achieve a prominent profile for the front fascia. The dual LED setup will also ensure improved illumination, thereby enhancing safety in dark conditions.Talking about the front cowl, it has a sharp, sporty profile. It complements the bike’s overall look and feel. A compact windscreen further enhances the bike’s look, while being functionally relevant. Patent images also reveal the panel of the new fully digital instrument console. It is a rectangular unit, with bevelled lower corners. Flaking the digital screen are spaces for indicators on both sides. These are likely for turn signals, side stand indicator, neutral, ABS, etc.New Hero Karizma DetailsOther details about new Karizma revealed earlier include the pulled-back handlebar, body-hugging fairing, sculpted fuel tank, split seat design and stubby upswept exhaust. Portions of the frame and engine assembly are exposed, which helps achieve a sinewy profile for the bike. New Karizma appears to have an aerodynamic design, which can boost both performance and fuel efficiency.New Hero Karizma DetailsHero Karizma XMR engine, specsIt is likely that Karizma XMR will be aiming for best-in-class performance or somewhere close to that. Some of the key rivals will be Bajaj Pulsar RS200 and Suzuki Gixxer SF 250. For reference, Pulsar RS200 is powered by a 199.5 cc, liquid cooled, triple-spark 4-valve engine that generates 24.5 PS of max power and 18.7 Nm of peak torque. Gixxer SF250 has a 249 cc, oil cooled motor that makes 26.5 PS and 22.2 Nm. According to industry insiders, Karizma XMR could be generating around 25 PS and 25 Nm. It is expected to get a 6-speed gearbox.Hero is likely to equip Karizma with Bluetooth-based connectivity features. It will be made available via Hero Connect platform. As of now, Hero Connect is offered with products such as Xpulse 200, Xtreme 160R, Destini 125 and Pleasure Plus. Some of the key connectivity features include topple alert, live vehicle tracking, tow away alert, geo fence alert, last parking location and speed alert. More

Hero Xtreme 200S 2VAhead of the launch of new gen Karizma next month, Hero MotoCorp has discontinued the 2V version of Xtreme 200SHero MotoCorp is one of the largest 2W manufacturers in the world. Most of their sales are thanks to budget commuters like Splendor range. That said, Hero is now increasing focus on larger cc motorcycles.In recent times, they have launched 2023 Xpulse 200 4V and Xpulse 200 4V Pro, Xpulse 200T 4V, Xtreme 160R 4V and Xtreme 200S 4V. They have also launched X440 in association with Harley Davidson. Next they plan to launch new gen Karizma.Hero Xtreme 200S 4V coloursHero Xtreme 200S 2V discontinuedEarlier this month, Hero launched Xtreme 200S 4V with a new and more powerful engine setup along with improved braking setup. Adding sporty credentials were 6% more power and 5% more torque as opposed to the 2V model. The 4V head ensured a higher number of lighter and smaller valves that increased reliability as well. Better valve control ensures increased fuel efficiency too.Xtreme 200S 4V launched at Rs. 1.41 lakh (ex-sh) price tag. Surprisingly, Hero kept the old 2V model on sale until now. It has now been removed from the official website. It is likely that Hero kept the 2V model on sale till now to clear existing stock.Hero Xtreme 200S 4VWe saw a similar strategy when Hero launched Xpulse 200 4V. Now, Hero has taken Xtreme 200S 2V from the website and Xtreme 200S 4V is now the only fully-faired offering from the brand. It features an appealing fairing and looks sporty, especially with new colours on offer.Hero Xtreme 200S 4V specsXtreme 200S 4V model on saleFeatures include an LED headlight, LED tail light, a fully digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone connectivity, call alerts, notification alerts, turn-by-turn navigation and others. Componentry include RSU telescopic front forks, mono-shock rear suspension, 100/80-17 front tyre and 130/70-17 rear tyre.Fuel tank capacity is 12.8L, which should offer a decent tank range from the new and improved engine. Speaking of, this 199.6cc 4V engine now makes 19.1 PS of power and 17.35 Nm of torque and is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Panther Black Metallic, Mat Axis Grey Metallic and Moon Yellow are colour options. Hero MotoCorp is prepping to launch new Karizma XMR 210 on 29th Aug 2023. It will sit above Xtreme 200S 4V. More

Zero Electric Motorcycle India Launch ConfirmedPartnership with entities like Zero Motorcycles allows Hero MotoCorp to be future-ready and diversify its EV portfolioWhile Hero MotoCorp leads in ICE-segment, it is yet to show any significant progress in EV segment. Vida electric scooter has potential, but sales haven’t been as per expectations. Nonetheless, Hero has been working on a multi-pronged strategy to strengthen its position in EV segment.One of the key focus areas is establishing partnerships with leading players in EV space. Hero already has a 35% stake in Ather Energy. Another key collaborator is California-based Zero Motorcycles that manufactures a wide range of high-performance electric bikes. Last year, Hero MotoCorp had announced an investment worth $60 million (approx. Rs 491 crore) in Zero Motorcycles.Zero Electric MotorcycleZero electric motorcycles to launch in India soonHero MotoCorp’s annual report confirms that enthusiasts in India will soon have access to high-performance electric machines produced by Zero Motorcycles. However, an exact timeline is not available at this point of time. But looking at the fast-paced growth in electric two-wheeler segment, it is highly probable that Hero will be looking to introduce Zero electric bikes as soon as possible.Hero will be aiming to get the first-mover advantage, as currently there aren’t many players in premium electric motorcycle segment. One example is TVS-backed Ultraviolette Automotive that manufactures the premium F77 electric bike. It is likely that Hero will focus on the premium segment as well as introduce more affordable versions for Indian market. The latter can be targeted at specific overseas markets as well. We are already witnessing this strategy in action with bikes like Harley X440 and upcoming Nightster 440.Zero Electric Motorcycle India Launch ConfirmedHero’s partnership with Zero Motorcycles will allow access to world-class electric powertrains and electric two-wheeler products. Hero will contribute by leveraging its low-cost manufacturing prowess and its vast sales and service network. This partnership is an important step in Hero’s sustainable mobility journey. Such collaborations will help accelerate adoption of electric mobility in India and across overseas markets.Upcoming Zero electric motorcycles for IndiaSelecting the bikes relevant for Indian market can be a bit challenging. One reason is that Zero Motorcycles offers a wide range of Street and Dual-Sport options. Decision making can be simplified if the direct import route is chosen. However, such a system will make the bikes hugely expensive and inaccessible to a large segment of potential buyers. It appears that local sourcing and local manufacturing can work, which is where Hero is likely to focus.It remains to be seen how many compromises will be made to achieve an affordable price point. In their original form, Zero electric motorcycles offer world-class ride experience. An example is Zero SR/S that generates 110 hp of peak power and 190 Nm of max torque. The electric motor gets its power from a 17.3 kWh battery pack. Range is an impressive 187 miles (301 km) in City conditions. Max top speed and sustained top speed are rated at 124 mph (200 km/h) and 110 mph (177 km/h), respectively.Zero electric motorcycles have batteries with 7.2 kWh to 17.3 kWh capacity. These bikes are priced in the range of $13,000 to $25,000, which is around Rs 10.64 lakh to Rs 20.46 lakh. It remains to be seen what strategies Hero deploys to achieve a lower price point for Indian market. More

New Hero Karizma Launch TeaserIn its resurrected avatar, Hero Karizma will have premium features such as dual-channel ABS and liquid coolingIndia’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp is looking beyond its stronghold of commuter bikes. The company had recently showcased the reborn Karizma at a dealer event. Teasers are out now and the bike is scheduled to be launched on 29th Aug 2023.This is the era of resurrected bikes, with names like Jawa and Yezdi already gaining decent fan following. Something similar is being planned in case of Karizma. In its heyday, the original 223cc Karizma was a true delight for enthusiasts owing to its peppy performance.New Karizma to return2023 Hero Karizma styling and featuresNew Karizma utilizes a unified, single-layer side fairing that extends all the way to the headlamp. The panels have a chiselled profile and unique design, unlike any other Hero bike currently in production. The side fairing only covers a small section of the engine assembly, keeping much of the machine parts exposed. It makes it easy to get an idea about the bike’s new engine.With youngsters one of the main target audience, new Hero Karizma is expected to get some exciting colour options. There could be monotone as well as dual-tone colour options on offer. The one unveiled at the dealer event had a bright glossy red paint job. An interplay of other colours was noticeable as well such as the white graphics on the fairing and brass-coloured engine casing.[embedded content]Other key highlights of upcoming Hero Karizma include blacked-out alloy wheels, step-up seat design, sculpted fuel tank and stubby upswept exhaust. Foot pegs are slightly rear set, which can allow for a committed riding stance. The handlebar is ergonomically placed for optimal comfort and control. The fuel tank has grooves to ensure a snug fit for the knees. Scooped rider seat design ensures agile handling and effortless cornering at high speeds.2023 Hero Karizma ZMR2023 Hero Karizma performanceNew Karizma is expected to get a 210cc engine. It could deliver around 25 bhp of max power and 25 Nm of peak torque. This closely matches performance numbers of rivals such as Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and Bajaj Pulsar RS200. It is possible that this new engine will eventually be made available with Xpulse as well. For reference, the original Karizma produced 20 hp.New Karizma will have a liquid-cooled setup, a first for a Hero motorcycle. The engine is expected to get a 6-speed gearbox that will ensure efficient highway cruising as well as fuel savings. New Karizma is expected to get dual-channel ABS. However, as Hero will also be focusing on affordability, Karizma won’t be getting features like USD front forks.Expected features include Bluetooth-based connectivity functions, fully digital instrument console, LED lighting, real-time fuel efficiency indicator and turn-by-turn navigation. New Hero Karizma could be launched in the price range of Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 1.8 lakh, ex-sh. More