Hero XPulse 200 4V

Hero MotoCorp’s 200cc ADV, the Xpulse 200, is the perfect choice for people getting into adventure biking and also a fitting choice for experienced enthusiasts as well. With the Xpulse 200 4V, the manufacturer has updated the bike with 2 more valves, improved performance from the motor, revised switchgear and more. 

The Hero Xpulse 200 4V’s design is very similar to that of the 2V model. This time around, it gets a more powerful LED headlight which increases visibility at night by a lot. It gets an LCD instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity through the Hero Connect app for turn-by-turn navigation and a USB port within the instrument console. 

The quality of the switches in the revised switchgear is a let down though and it dampens the overall riding experience quite a bit.   

Hero MotoCorp has given the 199.6cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled motor two extra valves, made revisions to the gear ratios and a 45-tooth rear sprocket. The 1st, 4th and 5th gears are now taller and 2nd and 3rd gears are now shorter. All these have resulted in the Xpulse 200 4V being more spirited and you don’t have to constantly keep changing gears to get the right amount of torque to tackle off-road surfaces. 

The effects of the changes can be felt in the city as well, as the wider torque band lets you ride in the city comfortably in 4th gear. The fuel efficiency has improved as well with a city mileage of 51.59kmpl. On the highway, the bike reaches speeds of 85-90kmph quicker than the 2V model and while it can reach speeds of 110-115kmph, the engine feels strained at that point. So, between 85-95kmph, the Xpulse 200 4V feels comfortable and you can easily overtake slow moving vehicles without needing to downshift. 

Hero has also made changes to the suspension tuning by making the initial stroke of the long travel suspension softer. This allows the bike to remain planted and you don’t get tossed around that much. For experienced off-road enthusiasts, there is a Rally Kit to opt for with a much more sophisticated suspension setup that gives you longer travel and full adjustability. But this does come at the cost of a significantly increased seat height though.

The seat profile and the foam in the seat have been changed as well, which helps in keeping you comfortable over long distances. The rider triangle feels a bit like a commuter though, considering it is an ADV.