Focused adventurer
The XPulse concept was first shown at EICMA 2017, and it made its Indian debut at Auto Expo 2018. The bike focuses on off-road performance, and offers good ground clearance, off-road tyres, wind protection and an accessible seat height.
Functional design
The bike has an upright, commanding stance. There’s a one-piece seat that extends to the fuel tank and there are pronounced knee recesses. The engine on display had ample protection – a compact, functional-looking crash guard and a drilled underbelly bash plate. Hero says this bike’s ground clearance and suspension travel are more than the Impulse.
Equipment
It comes with a raised front fender and a round full-LED headlight. It’s fitted with an enduro-bike-styled handlebar and hand guards as well. It also comes fitted with a digital instrument console with a gear position indicator, distance-to-empty and more. There’s an underseat USB charger and Bluetooth connectivity as well, which comes with turn-by-turn navigation assistance on the digital display.
Underpinnings
The single-downtube chassis features a box-section swingarm and a monoshock rear suspension. There’s also a smaller disc brake at the rear. The chassis was tested at the 2017 Raid de Himalaya. What you also get are a 21-inch front wheel, a single-channel ABS and a telescopic fork with 190mm of travel. The rear is fitted with an 18-inch wheel and a monoshock with 170mm of wheel travel. Ground clearance is 220mm and there’s a skid-plate as well. Seat height stands at 825mm, which may feel a bit high for shorter riders.
Engine and availability
This bike uses an 18.4hp, 200cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected motor, which also powers the Xtreme 200R. The motor will be tuned a little differently on this bike. It comes with a 14-litre fuel tank, which should give it decent range. The bike on display at the Auto Expo was near production-spec, so we could see the launch version real soon.
