Introduction
After a long wait by eager adventure enthusiasts, there comes some good news. Hero has finally launched the Xpulse 200 and 200T in India. The re-entry of the Xpulse brand in the market has got the buzz going. It (the normal 200, not the T) is currently the most economical adventure motorcycle one can find in the market, earlier the title of which was held by the Royal Enfield Himalayan. And if you are eager of which motorbike amongst the two is better and which one to buy, we have brought for you an in-depth comparison of these two motorcycles to help you gain clear understanding.
Looks/design/dimensions
Enfield's Himalayan is a large bike with features like sump guard, a tall wind screen, a small luggage rear rack and a raised front beak. It also has a semi-digital console with a temperature gauge, side-stand indicator, a compass, 2 trip meters et al and also comes with a high mounted exhaust and an LED tail lamp. With a halogen headlamp that’s round in shape and raised handlebars to help control the bike better when it’s off-road, we feel Himalayan is a purposeful bike. The 410cc engine too looks chunkier in comparison to the Xpulse’s smaller motor.
The design of Xpulse 200 is similar to that of Himalayan or in fact, a little better with less clutter at places. Just like the Himalayan, it has got a sump guard for protection, beak shaped front fender, tall windscreen and a rear luggage rack. Hero also offers knuckle guards on this one for added rider protection, especially in cold weather and rains.
Apart from the above features, the Xpulse earns more brownie points in terms with added gizmos. These include a fully digital console with turn by turn assisting navigation, an under-seat USB charger, LED lights at each end, Bluetooth connectivity and an ABS system that’s single channeled. The last safety feature is also present in the Himalayan, in a better way (dual channel).
Both of the above motorcycles have got spoke wheels that can take a lot of beating off the road. If you need features though, the Xpulse is the pick here.
Engine/ performance
The engines of both the Himalayan as well as Xpulse 200 are air cooled and have a single cylinder each. However, the displacement of Himalayan is much stronger at 411cc whereas that of Xpulse 200 is just 199.6cc - that's’ half the size!
The engine of Xpulse 200 is similar to that of Xtreme 200R’s. But unlike Xtreme 200R, this one is available in both Carburetted and Fuel injected variants and we recommend you pick the latter. Power and torque figures remain unchanged too and the bike gets a similar 5-speed manual set-up.
The Himalayan comes mated to a 5-speed gearbox too but has better outputs figures. For example, torque stands at 32 NM which is almost double that of the Xpulse (17.1 Nm). Ditto for the power figures. The Himalayan makes 24.5 horses while the Xpulse does with 18.4 bhp of power. To Hero’s credit, the Xpulse is far lighter and hence performance is ample for the price band. That said, the Himalayan will fare better when riding with a pillion and in terms of sustained high-speed riding.
The Royal Enfield's engine comes with an additional oil cooling feature for better performance in summers. That said, the Xpulse, given the smaller capacity, will be more efficient and with its larger tank, will do about 450-500km before requiring a fill up.
Running parts
Suspension features of both these motorcycles are quite similar as well with telescopic front forks and a monoshock at the rear. However, it is the suspension travel provided by the two bikes that differ immensely. The Himalayan has a longer travel suspension, 200mm provided at the front and 180mm at the rear. The Xpulse 200 on the other hand offers 190mm front travel suspension and 170mm rear travel suspension.
While the front wheel size of both the bikes is 21 inch, the rear wheel size of Himalayan is 17 inch while that of Xpulse 200 is 18 inch.
In terms of braking, the Himalayan has bigger discs at both the ends and also a dual channel ABS set-up. Likewise, it offers a lower seat height than the Xpulse which its easier to ride at lower speeds or around obstacles. But there is a catch. At 191 kgs, Himalayan is a good 37 kilos heavier the Xpulse 200.
Price
The ex-showroom price (Delhi) of Royal Enfield Himalayan Fi version is RS. 1.79 lakhs while that of Hero Xpulse 200 Carburette version is RS. 97000. The Fi version of Xpulse 200 is of course more expensive as it comes with extra benefits and is priced at Rs. 1.05 lakhs. This makes it about 74000 cheaper than the Himalayan and this is a big number for most users.
Verdict
The affordable price of Xpulse 200 obviously makes it a lucrative option and so does its attractive features. As an entry level adventure motorcycle, it does everything right. It has a smoother engine, is more efficient and given Himalayan’s questionable reliability, will offer peace of mind to buyers.
That said, if you want added punch and want to live the cult (Enfield!!) life, the Himalayan will keep you happier.
We feel that both the bikes are supreme in their own ways with their respective pros and cons. The one you eventually choose would depend on your personal choice and the money you are willing to spend.
