Hero XPulse 200 4V vs. the competition

Looking to take a slice of the adventure bike pie, Hero Motocorp has released the XPulse 200 4V — alongside the Hero Xoom 110 and the Hunk 160R 4V — as part of its initial offering here in the Philippines.

So, how does the Hero XPulse 2004V fare against other middleweight off-road-oriented motorcycles in the segment? That’s what we’re going to find out as we pit them against each other to see how the Indian motorcycle marque’s entry stacks up against the competition.

But before we do, here’s a quick rundown of the specifications of the Hero XPulse 200 4V:

Power for the Hero XPulse 200 4V comes from a 199.6 cubic centimeter engine (cc) paired with a five-speed constant mesh transmission system. In unison, the setup generates some 18.9 horsepower (hp) with 17.3 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque.

The Hero XPulse 200 4V is built on a diamond-type frame chassis, which cradles a 13-liter fuel tank sufficient for short and medium-length trips. Supporting the said frame are a telescopic front forks (with anti-friction brush) at the front and a rectangular swing arm with a 10-step preload adjustable monoshock at the back.

It rides on 21-inch wheels at the fore (with a 90/90 series tire) and an 18-inch wheel at the rear (with a 120/80 tire). Housed in the said wheels are a pair of petal-style disc brakes fitted front and back.

Notably, the new adventure motorcycle gets useful features like LED headlamps and a full digital LCD instrument panel with Bluetooth connectivity as well as turn-by-turn navigation.

The Hero XPulse 200 has a sticker price of P140,000.

Honda CB150X

Those in the market for a middleweight adventure motorcycle but not wanting to become an early Hero Motocorp adopter can check out the Honda CB150X.

Considered by many as a staple in the sub 300 cc category, it offers would-be owners decent performance despite having a small powerplant. At its core is a 149 cc engine mated to a six-speed transmission capable of producing some 15.4 horses with 13.8 Nm of pulling power, which is ideal for daily commutes as well as spontaneous weekend getaways.

Stopping power comes from a pair of hydraulic disc brakes housed in 17-inch wheels, which are wrapped in a 100/80 series tire at the front and a 130/70-sized rubber at the rear. Suspension-wise, it gets a Showa-branded inverted front fork as well as a pro-link system at the rear.

It has a fuel tank that can accommodate up to 12 liters of gasoline as well as noteworthy features like a high windscreen, a tapered handlebar and cockpit design, all-LED lighting, a full digital meter panel, an adventure-style undercowl, and a duck fender.

Those looking to ride home a Honda CB150X will be set back some P173,900.

Suzuki V-Strom 250SX

Motorcycle enthusiasts who wish to tread the beaten path using a motorcycle with a much beefier engine can look into the Suzuki V-Strom 250SX.

This Japanese-made off-road-ready steed is equipped with a 250 cc gasoline mill, which works with a six-speed constant mesh transmission to deliver 26.15 hp and 22.2 Nm to the rear wheel. On that note, the motorcycle is geared towards those who want to experience more challenging terrains.

Halts and deceleration are facilitated by disc brakes at the front and at the rear — both of which are equipped with an anti-lock brake system for added safety. The said brakes are seated on a 19-inch wheel at the front (with a 100/90 tire) and a 17-inch wheel at the rear (with a 140/70 tire).

In terms of suspension, the Suzuki V-Strom 250SX uses a telescopic front fork with coil springs and oil dampers as well as a swing arm-type setup at the back — also with a coil spring and is oil dampened.

Highlights of the Suzuki V-Strom 250SX include a slew of LED lights, a beak-like front fairing, a robust-looking engine guard, and a digital instrument cluster.

It is priced at P229,000.

Also read:

Hero Motocorp formally enters ASEAN market

Indian motorcycle brand Hero MotoCorp to enter Philippine market

Here is Hero Motorcorp’s initial lineup for PH