5 Exciting upcoming Hero bikes in India - XPulse 200, New Karizma…

From the product perspective, Hero MotoCorp has had a decent 2018 as the company launched new models of the Splendor and Passion range of bikes, which were followed by the introduction of the Hero Xtreme 200R and the Destini 125 premium family scooter. However, the company had to push back its most anticipated bike, the Hero XPulse 200. Apart from the ADV, here are a few more bikes that the company plans in the next couple of years.

Hero XPulse 200

The Hero XPulse 200 made its global premiere at the EICMA last year in Milan, Italy, while it debuted in India at the Auto Expo this year. The entry-level adventure tourer is based on the Hero Xtreme 200R platform and shares the engine, chassis and other components with the naked bike. The ADV is expected to launch in March 2019 in India. It could be priced around INR 1 lakh (ex-showroom).

Although Hero MotoCorp hasn't released the power figures of the XPulse 200, we expect it to be in the same ballpark of the Xtreme 200R. Powering the Hero XPulse 200 will be a 199.4cc, single-cylinder, SOHC, air-cooled, 2-valve motor that will be mated to a five-speed gearbox. On the Xtreme 200R, it produces 18.1 bhp of power and 17.1 Nm of peak torque. The engine on the XPulse will be tuned differently to offer improved low-end and mid-range performance to suit the ADV characteristics of the bike.

In terms of equipment, the Hero XPulse 200 will feature a fully-digital instrument console, LED headlight, single-channel ABS and the works. Suspension duties will be carried out by long-travel telescopic front forks and a rear mono-shock, while braking will be aided by disc brakes at both the ends. If the Xtreme 200R is anything to go by, the XPulse 200 is likely to offer a plush ride quality over broken surfaces.

Hero XPulse 200T

The Hero XPulse 200T is the tourer version of the XPulse 200 ADV, which debuted at this year's EICMA in Milan, Italy. If reports are to be believed, Hero MotoCorp will launch both the motorcycles, XPulse 200 & XPulse 200T, simultaneously in the domestic market by March 2019. Being a tourer, we can expect the XPulse 200T to retail at around INR 95,000 (ex-showroom).

In comparison to the ADV, the Hero XPulse 200T features conventional front forks in place of the spindle offset units on the ADV; however, the rear mono-shock is carried over. To aid long-distance touring, the XPulse 200T comes equipped with a tall windscreen. Another significant change is the availability of 17-inch alloy wheels and road-biased tyres, instead of the 21/18-inch wire-spoke wheels and knobby tyres set up on the ADV.

Both the motorcycles were spied testing in India for the first time in November. The Hero XPulse 200T will be powered by the 199.4cc air-cooled, 2-valve engine that does duty on the Xtreme 200R. Hero MotoCorp could use a different state of tune and taller gearing to aid the touring capabilities if the motorcycle. The motor makes 18.1 bhp and 17.1 Nm on the Hero Xtreme 200R, mated to a five-speed transmission.

Hero Maestro Edge 125

Hero MotoCorp launched the Destini 125 premium scooter in the domestic market in the festive season. However, its sporty sibling, the Hero Maestro Edge 125, was conspicuous by its absence. The Maestro Edge 125 debuted at the Auto Expo 2018 in February alongside the Destini 125 (earlier known as Hero Duet 125). The Maestro Edge 125 could launch in the first quarter of next year in India.

While the Destini 125 is a family scooter, the Hero Maestro Edge 125 is aimed towards the millennials. The Maestro Edge 125 features Hero’s patented i3S technology, which comes with an engine start/stop system to offer high fuel economy. The scooter features Integrated Braking System, a semi-digital instrument cluster with service indicator, optional front disc brake and a remote key-opening. The two-wheeler rides on a 12-inch front and 10-inch rear alloy wheels that wrap on tubeless tyres.

The Hero Maestro Edge 125 sources power from a new 125cc Energy Boost engine that is good for 8.7 bhp of maximum power at 6,750 rpm and 10.2 Nm of peak torque at 5,000 rpm, paired to a CVT. The Maestro Edge has been the more premium priced offering in Hero’s product portfolio in India, and a similar strategy will be adopted for the 125cc variant. Given that the Hero Destini 125 retails at INR 54,650 (ex-showroom Delhi), we can expect a price tag of around INR 58,000-60,000 (ex-showroom).

2020 Hero Karizma

A September report suggested that Hero MotoCorp is planning four models on the 200cc platform. The company has already launched the Xtreme 200R and showcased the XPulse 200 and the XPulse 200T. Next in line will be a fully-faired offering that will most likely play the next-generation Hero Karizma.

The new Hero Karizma will draw power from a 199.6cc, single-cylinder 2-valve engine that will be mated to a five-speed transmission. This motor develops 18.1 bhp of power and 17.1 Nm of torque on the Hero Xtreme 200R. The new Karizma will share the chassis and suspension with the naked sibling. However, it will feature different styling and aggressive riding ergonomics.

The 2020 Hero Karizma will compete with the likes of the Bajaj Pulsar RS200, Suzuki Gixxer SF, Yamaha Fazer 25 and the Yamaha R15 V3.0. The new Karizma could retail at around INR 1.10 lakh (ex-showroom).

Hero XF3R (Production Version)

According to a 7 December report, Hero MotoCorp is working on the production version of the Hero XF3R Concept, which debuted at the Auto Expo 2016. We don’t expect the production XF3R to come before 2020 as the company is working on introducing three new bikes on the 200cc platform.

The production Hero XF3R will draw power from an all-new 300cc liquid-cooled, fuel injected, 4-valve motor that will be paired to a 6-speed gearbox. While the power figures aren’t reported, expect at least 25 bhp on tap.

The Hero XF3R will feature sophisticated equipment like USD front forks, LED headlight and taillight, dual-channel ABS and digital speedometer among others. The concept featured a single-sided swingarm and a lot of carbon-fibre parts. However, the production model will get conventional swingarm and body panels.

Also Read: Hero XF3R Concept - Auto Expo 2016

The production Hero XF3R could get a price tag of INR 2 lakh (ex-showroom). The XF3R will rival the likes of the KTM 250 Duke, BMW G 310 R, Bajaj Dominar 400 and Mahindra Mojo.