India's leading two-wheeler company Hero MotoCorp is aiming to regain its glory in the 150cc segment with the Xtreme 160R. The Xtreme arrives into a market that is currently dominated by the likes of Yamaha FZ, Suzuki Gixxer and TVS Apache. The Xtreme 160R has little or no similarity with the old Xtreme. Besides, it can boast of several changes in design and performance. How well can it fare in the market? Here is the test drive report.
All muscles
These days if a bike needs to attract eyeballs, it needs to be beefy. The Xtreme 160R has enough of it. It is a sporty and muscular street fighter motorcycle. It has a slightly forward leaning posture as if it is ready to take off. The tail section is at a slightly higher level than the fuel tank, which gives it a sporty look. All lights, including the indicators, are LED. The robotic headlamp with daytime running lamp gives it a novel look. LED lights are small in size.
Fuel tank extensions further provide the bike a muscular outlook. The plastic shrouds covering the tank leave enough space for knee recesses. The fuel-tank covers that stretch to the side panels give it a one-piece look. Grab rails are built into the tail panel which serve their purpose well and give the bike's rear an imposing look. The seat is single piece but designed in such a way that it gives the feel of a split seat.
The meter console is fully digital and features a negative or inverted colour display. In short, a neat and clean console, with the only gripe that reading could be difficult if light falls directly on it. All switches are of good quality with the integrated start/kill switch being a welcome addition. The 160R also gets a segment-first hazard light switch on the left side of the handle.
Engine
The 163cc single-cylinder air-cooled fuel-injection engine produces 15 bhp of peak power at 8,500 rpm and 14 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. It has more power than Suzuki Gixxer and Yamaha FZ, while there is not much difference in torque among these bikes.
Ride
The seat height is 790 mm (Gixxer 780 mm, Apache 800 mm, FZ 790 mm), which makes it ideal for shorter riders too. Though the riding position looks extremely sporty, the slightly raised handlebar makes it a capable partner for long journeys. Another notable factor is the seat comfort. It can accommodate both the rider and the pillion. The 160R weighs 139.5 kg (Apache 160-145 kg, Gixxer 135 kg, FZ 132 kg).
Refined engine
There is decent torque delivery in low rpms and the engine manages lower speeds even in top gear. This means fewer gear changes and will be a boon in city riding conditions. Wring the throttle and the bike makes progress in the same gear without much drama. Above 4,000 rpm the 160R delivers strong performance. It can reach 0-60 in just 4.7 seconds. The engine comes coupled to a smooth-shifting five-speed gearbox. Though simple, the gear shifts could be a little more smoother. The clutch feels light and would help in tackling tough traffic conditions. The 37mm front forks and a 7-step pre-load adjustable rear monoshock soak up bumps nicely.
The tubular steel frame makes it an agile handling motorbike and a delight around the corners. The suspension is tuned to be on the stiffer side, so the pillion will feel the bumps and potholes a little more than the rider. It gets petal disc brakes at either end with a single-channel ABS. Add to this the grip from the MRF tyres, braking is a non-issue.
Final lap
One of the highlights of the Xtreme 160R is its street fighter look. The 160R has advantages in its refined engine that is nimble in both city and highway conditions and provides excellent handling. Another standout feature is riding position that suits long journeys. Add to this a decent mileage, the Xtreme 160R could surely find traction in the market.
